Traverse Learning

OPEN WRITE

As part of Motherwell College’s Offender Arts Project, Traverse Learning will work with a group of men from Her Majesty’s Prison Open Estate on a new and exciting playwriting project. The young men will work with a professional playwright, lighting/sound designer and a set/ costume designer to devise, write and develop their own short plays. The project will encourage them to become active and creative participants as well as helping to develop their literary and oracy skills.

A creative team of directors and actors will visit the prison to work with the participants to develop and rehearse their plays in preparation for performances at the Traverse.

Participants will be supported throughout the project by Scottish Prison Service staff and education staff from Motherwell College. This project would not be possible without the generous support from the Scottish Arts Council’s Inspiring Communities fund. Other arts organisations and prisons involved in the project are: The Citizens’ Theatre working with HMP Greenock and HMP Barlinnie; The Scottish Ensemble and National Youth Choir of Scotland are working in HMYOI Polmont, and Scottish Opera and Scottish Chamber Orchestra will be working together in HMP Shotts. The National Galleries of Scotland are working with all five prisons.