Deaf News: Theatre project for deaf children receives prestigious award

A theatre education charity that enables children with special needs to attend theatre performances across London has received the Sandford Award for Heritage Education. This is the first time a UK-based theatre organisation has won the award.

Mousetrap Theatre Projects received the award both for its overall education work, and specifically for its StageSeen programme for deaf and hard of hearing young people. This new programme provides a special theatre day and includes drama workshops led by deaf and hearing theatre practitioners, an on-stage tour and a prop handling session. Following the education sessions, young people attend a signed or captioned matinee performance of a top West End production.

In giving the award, judge Adam Clarke said, “Mousetrap’s work with hard to reach and seldom heard young people incorporates practice that could (and perhaps should) be transferred to all organisations and properties that deliver schools’ programmes. In enabling access to the West End stage, children are given access to a magical world that enables them to learn, create, socialise and grow.” Dr Tracy Borman, Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust added, “Your programmes are truly inspiring.”

In receiving the Sandford Award, Susan Whiddington, Director of Mousetrap Theatre Projects, said, “We are thrilled to receive this valued award for our education work and specifically for our newest programme for deaf and hard of hearing young people, opening the world of the theatre for them. We believe that theatre is a significant contributor to Britain’s cultural heritage and we are thrilled to be recognised for our part in bringing theatre to young people who would otherwise not have access to it.”

To find out more about the organisation and their work, go to: http://www.mousetrap.org.uk/

The Limping Chicken is supported by Deaf media company Remark!, training and consultancy Deafworks, provider of sign language services Deaf Umbrella, the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Look, Smile Chat campaign, and the National Theatre’s captioned plays.