Arena North has been operating as a theatre company for over 20 years in the Newcastle upon Tyne area. It has provided a wide variety of opportunities for people to train and participate in acting, directing, backstage crewing and writing scripts for workshops and performances. Its portfolio includes performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, theatres in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. It has entertained residents in Care Homes, provided opportunities for Performing Arts students to appear in productions and worked in the corporate sector providing inhouse Drama scenarios based on Employment Law issues for the professional development of staff.
Arena North rebranded, using its acronym ANTICS, to widen its appeal in the community. It had for many years catered for the younger generation, some of whom successfully launched careers in the Arts. Most recently, as a result of Covid 19, it has delivered online Drama training and will continue to do so under the current lockdown restrictions.
A series of six, weekly online Drama workshops for over 50's
It is hoped that increased self-confidence, new skills, friendship, fun and opportunities for creativity will be positive outcomes from these workshops. Exploring a new interest, memory games, teamwork and a sense of achievement could bring health and wellbeing benefits and may counter the adverse effects associated with loneliness during the COVID 19 pandemic.