Some of the Re@ct Review crew enjoying a cinema trip
Stage Beyond is the local theatre company for young adults with learning disabilities supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
The company also runs youth outreach programmes including Re@ct Review which meets on Wednesday evenings and is suitable for neurodivergent young people.
It will be lights, camera, action for the Film Club which is re-launching in an exciting new venue at The Playhouse, Artillery Street, on Wednesday, 20th September from 6.30-8.30pm. Membership is open to teenage movie buffs aged 15+ who are also interested in videography and film production.
Film Club members attend the cinema together monthly to see new releases which they later review and re-enact scenes to produce a short video which is then posted on their Re@ct Review YouTube channel.
Jean Dunn, Lead Drama Facilitator with Stage Beyond and youth outreach, explained that places are now available after some of the original Film Club members recently moved on to third level studies or employment. She encouraged teenagers who think they may be suited to Re@ct Review, to get in touch with Stage Beyond as soon as possible.
Youth outreach members also get an opportunity to take part in Stage Beyond’s annual theatre productions and Christmas pantomime guest appearances at the Millennium Forum. Re@ct Reviewers had acting roles in ‘The Great Dictator’ which was staged at the Forum in June 2022.
Re@ct Review members enjoying new tech equipment
Current members are encouraging other teens with similar interests to join the Film Club.
Ross said: “I really look forward to the Film Club on Wednesday evenings, it’s a good opportunity to hang out with other young people who enjoy watching and reviewing films and then make a short film for YouTube.
“We also had fun in various acting roles as members of the paparazzi in ‘The Great Dictator’ and ‘The Buckley Brothers’ puppet show.
“We’ve been part of Stage Beyond’s youth outreach since secondary school and have grown in confidence as a direct result of the professional skills training and experience gained from the facilitators with the added opportunity to take part in the annual theatre productions.”
Luke added that the Film Club had access to new videography equipment which members get to use to make their video clips. Expert local filmmaker Eoin O’Callaghan held a series of masterclasses with Re@ct Review members to help them hone their technical skills.
It is also tradition for Stage Beyond, the Millennium Forum’s resident theatre company, to provide some seasonal entertainment during the interval at the Christmas pantomime relaxed performance.
Thomas Burnett, Support Worker with Stage Beyond, came through the Film Club’s ranks and highly recommends it to new recruits.
Thomas and Luke performed ‘Danny and Doc’, two in-house Derry reindeers hoping for a chance to help pull Santa’s sleigh during the panto run last year.
Rory, who was a Re@ct Review member prior to commencing university, said he had fond memories of the Film Club and the group still keep in touch both socially and to take part in Stage Beyond productions.
Local film maker Eoin O’Callaghan holds a masterclass for Re@act Review members
Come along to The Playhouse (Gallery space, ground floor) next Wednesday, September 20, at 6.30pm and meet the Re@ct Review crew.
You can also check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbu8EPojVbUN5M90DdD4JxA
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