Attending creative workshops whilst in HMP Barlinnie, Hugh our Founder, was inspired by the profound effects of feeling safe and playing within a room, rehearsing life’s experiences and challenges with empathetic people using drama as therapy. It  was thought provoking; how the art of simply playing in a safe space could change his thought process and behaviour.  Hugh was also a Samaritan in prison supporting others,  and was impressed by the "learn by doing" element of a Cognitive Behaviour programme that he had to complete before progressing through the system.

 

All these factors gave birth to the practice of Rehearsals for Life - to explore the possibilities of using bespoke methods of drama and forum theatre to understand snap decision making, choice, emotional change, self-esteem, meeting aspirations,  victim empathy, identity, relationships and restorative justice.

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Street Cones brings together people with lived experience of 'the system', of depression and intimidation, as well as professional and creative practitioners to facilitate and deliver our Rehearsals for Life programme.

 

Our Cones (as we know them) deliver “Rehearsals for Life” workshops crafted with our unique take on the methodology of forum theatre, inspired by Augusto Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed. Using safe, thought provoking techniques we can support people who are feeling marginalised to better understand their emotions and decision making process while enhancing self-confidence, life-purpose and positive identity.

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We believe improvising life and using drama as therapy, and rehearsing life through our bespoke drama workshops, in a safe and stress free space supports change; behaviourally and mentally.

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Research tells us that the brain is an incredible organ, rebuilding and creating new pathways, in turn creating opportunity for new learnings and behaviours. It does not stop learning. 

 

So, rather than punishing offenders with incarceration, loneliness and limited social interaction, why not create spaces for creativity, social learning, self-improvement - the brain is stimulated, participants grow and develop positively.  Perhaps a motivational, nurtured and empowered environment was never there for them  - starved of learning, growth and development at a young age.

 

 We can re-address this and deliver hope, confidence, self-belief, self-worth and positive change.

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Street Cones, was created by and is run by people who have walked in similar paths; marginalised, under-valued and striving for recognition and trust within the Community.

 

We are able to engage with empathy, rather than sympathetically, asking questions others feel they can’t, gaining trust and being able to start to build powerful and positive relationships, which develop building trust, belief, self-worth and value.

 

Our purpose using theatre is to empower people living with stigma, people labelled, to trust The Cones with their stories, and to provoke discussion, hoping that policy makers, along with the powers to be, hear their voices and inspire social change.