Overcoming

Overcoming is a bold and honest physical theatre performance created by young people, for young people - giving voice to a generation navigating new challenges and shaping their own futures.

Developed through a series of workshops at Hodge Hill College in early 2023, the piece explores the lived experiences of students, reflecting on the personal and social hurdles they face, and the strength, creativity, and resilience they use to overcome them. Themes emerged directly from the group, with the content devised collaboratively through discussion, movement, and storytelling.

The performance was created as part of The Mighty Creatives' national youth consultation programme, What’s Going On, and is one of four projects across the UK using the arts to amplify youth voices.

As facilitator and director, Katie guided the group through the devising process - introducing physical theatre techniques inspired by companies such as Frantic Assembly, Gecko Theatre, and DV8, while creating space for the students to lead the narrative and shape the performance on their own terms.

Overcoming is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the tools, trust, and support to tell their own stories.