Creative Leadership Programme: Our Lady's Goes To The Royal Exchange

Each pair of young people from our different schools chose different experiences that they wanted to share with their peers, and spent some time reflecting on their cultural experiences and on the responsibility of spending the micro-grant.  

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17 pupils and 2 staff members from Our Lady's RC High School went to go and see a production of 'Even These Things' at the Royal Exchange earlier on in the summer. The play spanned three centuries and key moments in Manchester’s history. This epic story of Manchester and Ireland by playwright Rory Mullarkey had its premiere at the Royal Exchange Theatre, 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city.

Students decided to go to the theatre to experience a professional production.

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Read on to hear from a student from Our Lady's RC High School about their experience of being part of the Creative Leadership Programme, how this has helped them find their voice through the arts, and how it lead them to being part of the community cast of 'Even These Things':

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"Taking part in the MADE arts workshop opened my eyes to the many possibilities within the creative world. Throughout the programme, I had the opportunity to visit inspiring cultural venues across Manchester, including the Royal Exchange Theatre, Contact Theatre, HOME, and The Whitworth. Each experience introduced me to different forms of artistic expression and showed me how creativity can bring people together and tell powerful stories.

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Visiting these spaces allowed me to learn from artists, engage with performances and exhibitions, and gain a deeper appreciation for theatre and the wider arts community. The workshops encouraged me to express myself, build confidence, and explore my own creativity in ways I had never imagined before.

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These experiences sparked a genuine passion for the arts and inspired me to pursue new opportunities. As a result, I was incredibly proud to become part of the community cast of Even These Things at the Royal Exchange Theatre. Being involved in such a meaningful production has been an unforgettable experience and has shown me the importance of representation, collaboration, and storytelling.

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The MADE programme has not only strengthened my love for the arts but has also given me the confidence to continue pursuing creative opportunities in the future."