Bruiser has a long-standing commitment to, and experience in, arts education. Since 1997, we have worked closely with students and teachers to develop a diverse programme of creative learning opportunities. Now with the support of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we have launched VITAL CONNECT - our most ambitious education project yet!
Despite a network of regional theatres, schools outside of the greater Belfast area have reduced access to professional theatre and to arts engagement activities. This lack of access is a driving motivation to deliver a programme that addresses rural isolation from arts education work and professional theatre.
Through VITAL CONNECT, Bruiser is able to continue its long standing reputation as Northern Ireland's leading theatre company working within the education sector.
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
“A wonderful experience. It has enriched the learning of the students beyond anything I thought possible. They are more engaged, committed and enthused by the experience. I could not recommend Bruiser highly enough.”
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
“Working with Bruiser has given pupils the opportunity to see that performance work is made and produced here… Working with NI practitioners shows them that these roles are possible, for them and gives them achievable aspirations. The facilitators have all engaged and enthused our pupils… I can see this in practice in class already. This has been such a worthwhile experience.”
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
“Vital is such an apt name as you have been a brilliant support to our drama department."
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
“I have worked in Northern Ireland as a drama teacher for 17 years and the constant creative support provided by Bruiser has been invaluable to the teaching of Drama for my GCSE and A-Level students. I have had about 20 students who have accessed their support via work experience, their summer academies and their ‘A Day with Bruiser’ projects as well as visiting practitioners providing workshops. All of these students are either studying Drama/ Performing Arts at 3rd level education or are actively working within the Performing Arts Industry here in Northern Ireland or in the UK.”
If you're a post-primary school interested in taking part in Vital Connect, please get in touch with our Education Department via email to education@bruisertheatrecompany.com
VITAL CONNECT offers the partner schools, a physical theatre “shot in the arm”, aiming to boost resilience and liberate the imaginations of young people in regional areas. VITAL CONNECT delivers bespoke workshops, inter-school engagement, mentoring, performances, professional contact, interactive digital platforms, and a youth arts festival. The result: High quality arts provision across Northern Ireland.
Bruiser has developed a significant role in drama in education in NI. Bruiser regularly programmes main stage productions that align with the school curriculums, with associated workshops and engagement. Bruiser’s education work includes over ten years of “A Day With Bruiser” workshops, the Bruiser Arts Academy Professional Development Programme from KS3,4,5 and beyond for further theatre development. Bruiser currently has live relationships with over 100 schools in Northern Ireland. Bruiser’s ensemble practice is studied as practitioners on the curriculum for all school exam boards across Northern Ireland. We will continue to deliver these strands of education work while delivering the VITAL CONNECT as the project will enhance Bruiser’s capacity and improve the skills and knowledge base of the Bruiser team.
With the reduction in higher level theatre training in Northern Ireland through the closure of Belfast Met Tower Street campus, and the reduction of third level performance options at Queen’s and Ulster Universities, VITAL CONNECT takes on a greater importance in preparing second level students to achieve their potential and enable future performance work.
