LGR/shu
07 February 2016
Rise Up by Lisa Evans and performed by Theatre Centre on 24 September at 7 p.m.
After the success of The Muddy Choir last year I have arranged for Theatre Centre to visit again,
this time bringing Lisa Evans’ play Rise Up to The Cripps Hall Theatre on Thursday 24
September at 7 p.m. October is Black History Month and this is the perfect way to start the month
- thinking about the oppression that has been endured, the struggles that have taken place and the
bravery of the individuals involved working for equality.
Rise Up is a story about Freedom Riders - a group of black and white students who rode buses
across the southern states of America, breaking the rules of segregation.
The tide was turning – though local governments disagreed, it would soon be illegal to
segregate black Americans from white Americans on public buses, in waiting rooms or in
restaurants. And yet – in the early 1960s, many states across the south of America kept
discriminating against African-Americans…
In modern day Britain, four actor-storytellers tell the stories of the Freedom Riders – principled
citizens riding buses across Alabama and Mississippi, drawing attention to this illegal
discrimination, and facing up to terrifying violence with peaceful resistance. The story of the
Freedom Riders is one of ordinary people becoming a civil rights movement, taking on the
establishment and changing the world. In our modern world what does it mean for people to come
together and rise up?
I fully expect all students from Year 10 upwards, who are undertaking GCSE/A Level Drama, to
attend this hour long event. The play will be followed by a 15 minute Question & Answer session
and students in 10/11/12 will be undertaking a practice review on the performance. This is very
important as students will have to produce their actual review in Year 11/12 under controlled
conditions. We are not allowed to mark this and hand it back, therefore, it is beneficial to get as
much practise as possible with teacher feedback beforehand.
For Year 9 I would hope that as many as possible would aim to come along to experience live
theatre and learn about the struggles that black citizens went through to gain equality, especially
those who are planning to take Drama as a GCSE.
Year 13 will benefit from watching live theatre in preparation for their devised unit, particularly
as they should experience a range of theatre and are required to cite influences.
Year 12 will also be participating in a workshop with two of the actors at 3:35 p.m. on the day of
the performance for an hour at no extra cost.
The cost of this event has been subsidised but we would ask that you pay a contribution of £3.
Please contact me if there are any issues with this. Please return the slip below with a cheque
made payable to Northampton School for Boys to the Box Office. If you would prefer to book
using a credit/debit card, please telephone 01604 258666 between 2 - 4 p.m.; a fee is charged for
credit cards. Parents are also welcome to attend this performance for £3 each.
Mrs L Greenaway
Drama Teacher
To: The Box Office, Northampton School for Boys
Student: _________________________________________
Form: _______________
I require ________ tickets at £3 each for Rise Up on Thursday 24 September 2015 at 7 p.m.
I enclose payment of __________________
(Please make cheques payable to Northampton School for Boys)
Signed: __________________________________________
(Parent/Guardian)
Date: ________________