Our Stomping Grounds Festival Exhibition
About the Festival
About the Festival
A Stomping Ground is about where we belong. It’s about where we are welcome, where we fit in and where we can thrive. In addition to creating another fantastic show, the members of Full Circle wanted to create opportunities for other learning-disabled people in our area to connect and be part of a celebration. And that is how the Our Stomping Grounds Festival came about. We are thrilled to have met all the people featured in this exhibition and lots more who have taken part in workshops. Full Circle invites you into a lesser-seen world of lesser-told stories, revealing that the communities we create can be magical. Theirs is a story about the fight for a rightful place for learning disabled people.
Having a stomping ground has never felt so important over this last three years and Full Circle Theatre Company, an exceptional award-winning ensemble of learning-disabled theatre makers, has created a stunning new show. It was commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival before the pandemic hit and we finally got to perform it live to sell-out crowds in August 2022. The group were determined to continue being creative and, ever resourceful, found ways to be so online for two years to devise the piece in their living rooms and bedrooms, affirming their commitment to each other and their audiences during the most challenging circumstances. SIRF 2022 became a new Stomping Ground where the voices of learning-disabled people were platformed and celebrated. We had a purpose-built accessible stage with impeccable lighting from our Production Manager Nick Hare. The whole festival experience was incredible for our cast, with audiences who were appreciative, supportive, and encouraging, right through to an ovation at the end of each show.
The inaugural Our Stomping Grounds Festival took place at ARC on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 February 2023, and we were so excited about the programme. Full Circle presented their outdoor show indoors on ARC’s main stage, there was a Short, Short Film Festival, ARCtic Piranha's Daytime Rave, and the Stomp! Cabaret featuring local learning-disabled performers - music from The Feisty Girls, Emily Wilkinson and Jam Buddies, poetry from Megan Rees, drama from Jigsaw Theatre and a dance mash up from Full Circle. And there were fantastic drama (Full Circle), arts and crafts (Carol Lonsdale), and Bollywood dance (Umar Butt) workshops to take part in! And there were two gallery events to celebrate this exhibition. We had workshops in the lead up to the festival and thank the brilliant Gary Bowden for his sensational music making and recording session. We can’t wait to see what happens next!
Having a stomping ground has never felt so important over this last three years and Full Circle Theatre Company, an exceptional award-winning ensemble of learning-disabled theatre makers, has created a stunning new show. It was commissioned by Stockton International Riverside Festival before the pandemic hit and we finally got to perform it live to sell-out crowds in August 2022. The group were determined to continue being creative and, ever resourceful, found ways to be so online for two years to devise the piece in their living rooms and bedrooms, affirming their commitment to each other and their audiences during the most challenging circumstances. SIRF 2022 became a new Stomping Ground where the voices of learning-disabled people were platformed and celebrated. We had a purpose-built accessible stage with impeccable lighting from our Production Manager Nick Hare. The whole festival experience was incredible for our cast, with audiences who were appreciative, supportive, and encouraging, right through to an ovation at the end of each show.
The inaugural Our Stomping Grounds Festival took place at ARC on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 February 2023, and we were so excited about the programme. Full Circle presented their outdoor show indoors on ARC’s main stage, there was a Short, Short Film Festival, ARCtic Piranha's Daytime Rave, and the Stomp! Cabaret featuring local learning-disabled performers - music from The Feisty Girls, Emily Wilkinson and Jam Buddies, poetry from Megan Rees, drama from Jigsaw Theatre and a dance mash up from Full Circle. And there were fantastic drama (Full Circle), arts and crafts (Carol Lonsdale), and Bollywood dance (Umar Butt) workshops to take part in! And there were two gallery events to celebrate this exhibition. We had workshops in the lead up to the festival and thank the brilliant Gary Bowden for his sensational music making and recording session. We can’t wait to see what happens next!
About Full Circle
Full Circle is an award-winning independent theatre company of learning-disabled theatre makers making critically acclaimed work.
Background
Full Circle started in 2008 as part of Stockton Council’s Adult Services department. They were described as a ‘community hub’ as services expanded to enable people more choices in how they spent their time. The group was supported by amazing day service staff to try out drama and performance. In 2010, the group moved into ARC Stockton and the Arts Centre became their creative home. In 2012, Full Circle were offered some free workshops from Little Cog, and they just clicked artistically and have collaborated on productions ever since. In 2018 they became an independent theatre company.
What We Do
Full Circle devises and creates new original work by learning disabled people, which has a unique visual and physical style, with the aim of bringing new audiences to see them, including large numbers of learning-disabled people to see work with relevance to them. The company also deliver arts workshops to learning disabled peers. This both ensures that what they are doing is current and engaging but also increases opportunities for learning disabled people to build their confidence and express themselves, knowing that they have a place and are valued.
Winning Awards, Touring and Training
In 2018, in their first year as an independent theatre company, Full Circle won the Catalyst Community Arts and Culture Award. It was a tremendous boost for the company and a wonderful recognition of their important voice. The group expanded their horizons by touring regionally in 2019 and early 2020. The company were invited to perform at the Come On Down Festival in Blyth Northumberland by Headway Arts, and the Catalyst Awards 2019, and developed partnerships with Arts Centre Washington and the Centre for Excellence in the Creative Arts (CECA) in Hartlepool. They also offered training to young learning disabled actors.
Stockton International Riverside Festival 2022 And Beyond
It was a dream come true to be commissioned for SIRF which is an international outdoor theatre festival in Stockton. It ended up being a piece about what happens to a group when the world turns upside down and there is a risk of complete isolation. It was created in Full Circle’s usual witty but poignant style. It received tremendous acclaim at SIRF and the group are thrilled to be able to present it again in ARC’s theatre. The group are so proud of the festival and everyone involved. Watch this space for the next project!
Full Circle is an award-winning independent theatre company of learning-disabled theatre makers making critically acclaimed work.
Background
Full Circle started in 2008 as part of Stockton Council’s Adult Services department. They were described as a ‘community hub’ as services expanded to enable people more choices in how they spent their time. The group was supported by amazing day service staff to try out drama and performance. In 2010, the group moved into ARC Stockton and the Arts Centre became their creative home. In 2012, Full Circle were offered some free workshops from Little Cog, and they just clicked artistically and have collaborated on productions ever since. In 2018 they became an independent theatre company.
What We Do
Full Circle devises and creates new original work by learning disabled people, which has a unique visual and physical style, with the aim of bringing new audiences to see them, including large numbers of learning-disabled people to see work with relevance to them. The company also deliver arts workshops to learning disabled peers. This both ensures that what they are doing is current and engaging but also increases opportunities for learning disabled people to build their confidence and express themselves, knowing that they have a place and are valued.
Winning Awards, Touring and Training
In 2018, in their first year as an independent theatre company, Full Circle won the Catalyst Community Arts and Culture Award. It was a tremendous boost for the company and a wonderful recognition of their important voice. The group expanded their horizons by touring regionally in 2019 and early 2020. The company were invited to perform at the Come On Down Festival in Blyth Northumberland by Headway Arts, and the Catalyst Awards 2019, and developed partnerships with Arts Centre Washington and the Centre for Excellence in the Creative Arts (CECA) in Hartlepool. They also offered training to young learning disabled actors.
Stockton International Riverside Festival 2022 And Beyond
It was a dream come true to be commissioned for SIRF which is an international outdoor theatre festival in Stockton. It ended up being a piece about what happens to a group when the world turns upside down and there is a risk of complete isolation. It was created in Full Circle’s usual witty but poignant style. It received tremendous acclaim at SIRF and the group are thrilled to be able to present it again in ARC’s theatre. The group are so proud of the festival and everyone involved. Watch this space for the next project!
A Little Cog and Full Circle production in association with ARC Stockton
Stomping Ground
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Stockton International Riverside Festival
5 and 6 August 2022
It feels like you’ve finally forged your own Stomping Ground, and the wider world is beginning to accept you, so a sense of belonging begins to grow. But then the world is turned upside down in every way imaginable and no one can fix it. Full Circle invited the audience into a lesser-seen world of lesser-told stories, revealing that the communities we create can be magical. Theirs is a story about the fight for a rightful place for learning disabled people told with wit, pathos, and celebration, using their signature visual style, triumphantly translating to outdoor work for the first time in this world premiere.
Stomping Ground was supported by ARC, Stockton International Riverside Festival, and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Stomping Ground
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Stockton International Riverside Festival
5 and 6 August 2022
It feels like you’ve finally forged your own Stomping Ground, and the wider world is beginning to accept you, so a sense of belonging begins to grow. But then the world is turned upside down in every way imaginable and no one can fix it. Full Circle invited the audience into a lesser-seen world of lesser-told stories, revealing that the communities we create can be magical. Theirs is a story about the fight for a rightful place for learning disabled people told with wit, pathos, and celebration, using their signature visual style, triumphantly translating to outdoor work for the first time in this world premiere.
Stomping Ground was supported by ARC, Stockton International Riverside Festival, and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
The Lab
A Little Cog production in partnership with ARC Stockton
The Lab
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
22 May 2014
The Lab was an exciting piece of physical theatre created in collaboration between Little Cog and Full Circle Drama Group. The audience was invited to enter Compound 49, a top secret laboratory and research centre dedicated to detecting alien life forms. A team of dedicated scientists have been given a strange device of unknown origin. With a strong soundtrack, events unfold through the performers’ skill in mask work, physical theatre and live feed news reporting. However not everything is what it seems, the planet is at risk, who can save it?
The Lab was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
The Lab
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
22 May 2014
The Lab was an exciting piece of physical theatre created in collaboration between Little Cog and Full Circle Drama Group. The audience was invited to enter Compound 49, a top secret laboratory and research centre dedicated to detecting alien life forms. A team of dedicated scientists have been given a strange device of unknown origin. With a strong soundtrack, events unfold through the performers’ skill in mask work, physical theatre and live feed news reporting. However not everything is what it seems, the planet is at risk, who can save it?
The Lab was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Los Muertos
A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
Los Muertos
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
4 November 2015
Los Muertos was set in a small Mexican village on the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The production tells the stories of what happens when a whole village falls under the power of dark forces; of the White Lady, a traditional Mexican ghost, denied a relationship with her Lost Love; of two most unusual ghost hunters; and, a gaggle of giddy skeletons. The action takes place in the shadows of the House on the Hill. Will any of them ever be free of the Puppet Meister who tries to control them all?
Los Muertos was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Out of the Shadows
A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
Out of the Shadows
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
23 March 2017
The actors take us from a peaceful woodland scene on an energetic chase through a range of film genres and styles to explore why some people live in the shadows and what happens when people get left out. When we’re safe and sound, why would we want to leave out people who are different? A thoroughly entertaining piece of original theatre, ensuring the creative expression of disabled people is included in our local cultural landscape, proudly placed centre-stage to challenge perceptions of disabled people, to celebrate individuality and identity, and to ensure the visibility of disabled people – making sure that we come Out of the Shadows!
Out of the Shadows was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council, Spirit of 2012 Trust,and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Out of the Shadows
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
23 March 2017
The actors take us from a peaceful woodland scene on an energetic chase through a range of film genres and styles to explore why some people live in the shadows and what happens when people get left out. When we’re safe and sound, why would we want to leave out people who are different? A thoroughly entertaining piece of original theatre, ensuring the creative expression of disabled people is included in our local cultural landscape, proudly placed centre-stage to challenge perceptions of disabled people, to celebrate individuality and identity, and to ensure the visibility of disabled people – making sure that we come Out of the Shadows!
Out of the Shadows was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council, Spirit of 2012 Trust,and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
The Keepers
A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
The Keepers
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
9 November 2017
The Keepers was set on a remote island and followed the stories of a group of people who had been sent to live there against their wishes. In spite of attempts to remove their dignity, the group forged a role for themselves, and became the keepers of hidden promises, of invisible truths, and of stories untold, and the piece speaks to the responsibility we all have to reveal unfairness and inequality in our local communities.
The actors were inspired by a book called ‘No Going Back’, where a group of learning disabled storytellers looked into the experiences of disabled people and wanted to tell the stories to make sure they weren’t forgotten. This really struck a chord with Full Circle actors and devisers, who are just the same, having spent 9 years developing their own unique style of theatre and being committed to ensuring that learning disabled people are visible in both our communities and also in wider society.
The Keepers was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council, Spirit of 2012 Trust,and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
The Keepers
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
9 November 2017
The Keepers was set on a remote island and followed the stories of a group of people who had been sent to live there against their wishes. In spite of attempts to remove their dignity, the group forged a role for themselves, and became the keepers of hidden promises, of invisible truths, and of stories untold, and the piece speaks to the responsibility we all have to reveal unfairness and inequality in our local communities.
The actors were inspired by a book called ‘No Going Back’, where a group of learning disabled storytellers looked into the experiences of disabled people and wanted to tell the stories to make sure they weren’t forgotten. This really struck a chord with Full Circle actors and devisers, who are just the same, having spent 9 years developing their own unique style of theatre and being committed to ensuring that learning disabled people are visible in both our communities and also in wider society.
The Keepers was supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council, Spirit of 2012 Trust,and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
In the Middle of Our Street
The next show reflected a real shift in Full Circle’s ambitions as they wanted to tour their work and reach further afield. It was such an exciting time.
A Little Cog production in partnership with ARC Stockton
In The Middle Of Our Street
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
7 February 2019 and 30 January, 21 February 2020
Hannah wanted more than what the repetition of daily life had to offer and found herself in an inventors’ workshop, opening Hannah’s eyes to endless exciting possibilities.
Hannah could see freedom, and set off on a great mission. She went back for her friends and let them know there’s another way.And just what do you do if you take your campaign to the Houses of Parliament and no-one listens? How do you get your voice heard?
If you ever faced a challenge, or had a dream, you’ll know exactly how Hannah and her friends felt. The audience came and celebrated with them in a visually spectacular show packed with Full Circle’s usual mix of power, poignancy and humour.
The show was first presented at ARC Stockton in 2019, and then performed at Catalyst Award Ceremony and the Come ON Down regional learning disability arts festival at Headway Arts, Blyth Northumberland. To further develop the piece, and the skills of all, we merged the company with five academy members for a 2020 mini-regional tour. The show did a regional tour.
In The Middle of Our Street was supported by ARC, Art Centre Washington, CECA Hartlepool, and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
A Little Cog production in partnership with ARC Stockton
In The Middle Of Our Street
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
7 February 2019 and 30 January, 21 February 2020
Hannah wanted more than what the repetition of daily life had to offer and found herself in an inventors’ workshop, opening Hannah’s eyes to endless exciting possibilities.
Hannah could see freedom, and set off on a great mission. She went back for her friends and let them know there’s another way.And just what do you do if you take your campaign to the Houses of Parliament and no-one listens? How do you get your voice heard?
If you ever faced a challenge, or had a dream, you’ll know exactly how Hannah and her friends felt. The audience came and celebrated with them in a visually spectacular show packed with Full Circle’s usual mix of power, poignancy and humour.
The show was first presented at ARC Stockton in 2019, and then performed at Catalyst Award Ceremony and the Come ON Down regional learning disability arts festival at Headway Arts, Blyth Northumberland. To further develop the piece, and the skills of all, we merged the company with five academy members for a 2020 mini-regional tour. The show did a regional tour.
In The Middle of Our Street was supported by ARC, Art Centre Washington, CECA Hartlepool, and Arts Council England. Devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
