TYPE OF WORK
Site-specific theatre, theatre for development, participatory devised theatre/cross-arts/installation

TARGET GROUPS
Arts education work with young people in rural and urban settings. Citizenship issues for young people through participation in civil society via the arts.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, Southern Africa, South Asia, Western and Southern Europe

COMPANY POLICY
An arts exchange programme involving arts practitioners and young people which aims to promote a spirit of exchange between artists, educators and young people from different cultural backgrounds. To empower participants to make new art through an exploration of expression and their identities; to harness the philosophy and methodology of participant-centred arts education to liberate creative potential in individuals and their communities. Initiated by London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) in partnership with Sibikwa Theatre, Johannesburg with partners in South Africa, Europe, India and Southern Africa development countries.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number or practitioners: 1–30
Number of participants: 10–300
Preparation time: Varies
Contact time: 3 weeks – 3 years

PERMANENT STAFF: 61
Fabio Santos, Project Phakama Co-ordinator
Tony Fegan, Director of Learning
Caroline Calburn, National Co-ordinator (South Africa)
Prasad Vanarse, National Co-ordinator (India)

Crossing The Red Ribbon Divide (South Africa, 1999–2001)
Two-year project commissioned by UNICEF North West Province, South Africa. Trained 30 young people to undertake HIV/AIDS awareness arts development work in rural settings.

Robben Island Museum – Freedom Project (South Africa, 2001)
Six-month project examining the island as an active national learning resource. Trained artists, teachers, museum staff and ex-prisoners association. Involved 300 young people from across South Africa. First site-specific performance on the island.

Pune Project (India, 2002)
Introducing Phakama methods to 25 artists and arts educators from NGOs across India in Pune. Site-specific performance with 60 young people.

Strange Familiars (UK, 2002–04)
Two-year training project in London with 30 young unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees to increase access to learning. Some young people currently being trained as artist tutors.

The Child I Curry, The Child That Curries Me (Southern Africa, 2002–05)
A three-year project using arts as a medium for shared intercultural awareness, including training and site-specific performances. Commenced Lesotho in January 2003, with artists, arts educators and young facilitators from Lesotho, Mozambique, Mauritius, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and London. 60 young people to be involved in each country. Partner: British Council.

Project being explored with Northern Ireland and Irish Republic. Contact the company for details.

Fabio Santos
Project Phakama
LIFT
19–20 Great Sutton Street
London EC1V ODR

T +44 (0)20 7490 3964
F +44 (0)20 7490 3976

E fabios@liftfest.org.uk

“I can use Project Phakama work by showing other young people how to change their world, build a better future by building arts and education in South Africa.”
Vusi Mdala, 19 years, Phakama Participant (South Africa)

“I hope many more young people will have the benefit of such creativity as this process of working together generates. Our communities need this desperately if we are all to become truly free.”
Audience member writing in Freedom Day Book on Robben Island project (South Africa, 2001)

“In a nutshell, Phakama teaches its members whatever there is to learn, and because we are Phakama, we are each others’ tutors. You cannot get more democratic that that.”
Jessica, 19 years, Facilitator (Botswana)

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