Building on Our Legacy: New Youth Drama Programme and the Zerena Project
At Inter-Action MK, we have a strong track record for delivering youth drama initiatives, and we are now building on the legacy of one of our early successes from the 80s, The Zerena Project.
We plan to launch a new youth drama programme with partners Stantonbury Parish Council, in their response to the local youth council who have specifically asked for drama clubs as a way of working with young people at risk of knife crime and gang culture.
Our projects with young people and their families use creative and collaborative projects to gain skills, build self-confidence and encourage both physical and emotional wellbeing.
We are inclusive and welcoming, we work with high quality leaders and creatives, and our projects are crafted alongside our partners and often the participants themselves, in order to improve young people’s choices and chances, and those of their families by tackling a particular issue or opportunity through the arts and creativity.
The Zerena Project, 1980's
The Zerena Project
One of Inter-Action’s early successes in the 1980s was The Zerena Project—a six-week immersive theatre experience at a school on the Fishermead Estate during the early development of Milton Keynes. Devised in collaboration with teachers, the Science Museum, Anglia TV, and the entire Fishermead community, the project simulated an alien encounter, captivating the imaginations of all involved.
The Zerena Project remains a shining example of how Inter-Action has been bringing the arts to life for over 50 years. It is now featured in a fascinating film, Educating Zerena: An Alien Encounter, made by Ursula White and Living Archive MK.
In 2017 Ursula White heard the story of The Zerena Project and began research into this undiscovered history, connecting up with the children who were at the school in 1988. A Facebook group (“I Remember the Zerena Project” ) was set up with 80+ members joining. Contact was re-established with Zerena, Professor Blenkinsop, the teachers and artists, which led to interviews in Willows School (Previously Newlyn Place First School) and the creation of a new documentary film directed by Roger Kitchen.
Educating Zerena 2022-23, the culmination of 7 years investigation into The Zerena Project Includes documentary film Educating Zerena: An Alien Encounter and Michael Rosen live talk Creativity and The Curriculum & Welcome to Planet Fishermead, about how today’s residents “landed”. Find more on the Living Archive website.
The film can be viewed abov, and the archive includes information about a teachers’ symposium with keynote speaker Michael Rosen, along with extensive footage from the project.
Our Impact and Legacy
Inter-Action has been offered the opportunity to develop a legacy programme of work with schools and educators to explore the power and impact of an integrated creative curriculum.
We are excited to continue this journey by developing new immersive school experiences in collaboration with artists and educators, ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of education.
If you’re interested in learning more about our work or exploring potential collaborations, please get in touch. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on young people’s lives through the arts.
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