Outspoken, a new drama about the challenges of stammering in adolescence, is the culmination and creative fruit of BSA Scotland's major collaboration with TAG Citizens Theatre.

Outspoken actors: William Ruane (Danny), Mary Gapinski and Steven Rae. Photo: Tim Morozo

The play toured selected secondary schools in Scotland in Spring 2009 (feedback below), and will soon be released more widely as a DVD. We will also be providing downloadable worksheets for schools.

The project started with the establishment of a group of young adults who stammer who met to explore the benefits of drama for developing confidence and communication skills (see below Development of project).

The play

The drama describes the experience of Danny, a first year High School pupil who stammers, and involves three actors who each play a variety of roles. The story is fast moving, comic, and at times larger than life - as we see the world through Danny's eyes. At the same time it deals with serious issues about stammering, being different, trying to fit in and bullying.

The play starts with Danny addressing the audience like a stand up comedian with a 'mic' and ends in the same way. There are few props - just a couple of chairs, the mic stand and a large leather satchel that signifies the identity of one of the main characters.

Danny tells his story, starting from when he began stammering, then moving on to experiences in High School. The script is essentially a string of pivotal scenes, brought to life, interspersed with narrative asides.

More on the story...

Feedback from Outspoken schools tour "The play and workshop sent out a very positive but realistic view of people who stammer and also raised awareness of bullying. Pupils found the experience fun and were fully engaged throughout, while taking the issues themselves seriously. I spoke to some of them afterwards who said they would now never bully anyone who had a stammer" - Teacher "People who stammer are normal just like people who don't stammer. It doesn't matter the way people talk - it's how they are that matters." - Pupil "I learned that if you stammer you have to be brave" - Pupil

DVD

The Outspoken DVD, available in June 2009, will include the entire play plus 'talking head' footage of project participants: describing their experiences of stammering; giving advice to listeners who don't stammer and offering support to viewers who do stammer.

The DVD will be made available to Education Departments across Scotland for use in secondary schools. Additional downloadable worksheets will provide structured classroom sessions in line with personal social education, drama and other aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Many people have expressed a desire to buy a copy of the DVD so we hope to produce copies for sale too.

Development of the project

The project started with the establishment of a group of young adults who stammer who met to explore the benefits of drama for developing confidence and communication skills. A second series of workshops in late summer 2008 introduced new elements such as writing and film-making.

In October 2008 an intensive week, led by playwright Davey Anderson, shifted the focus to eliciting participants' personal stories about stammering. The group thereafter became expert consultants to the play.

The intensive week was joined by Taro Alexander, Artistic Director and person who stammers from 'Our Time Theatre, New York. Taro facilitated two days of workshops and his unique combined experience of theatre and stammering also inspired material that ended up in the final script.

More on the development of the Project - including comments from participants.
A participant's view - article by Lynne Mackie

The future

Following the project, we are hopeful of developing further ways of collaborating with TAG Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and 'Our Time Theatre' in New York.

BSA Scotland proposals include:
widening the age range to develop separate drama workshops for children and young people who stammer and for adults who stammer;
drama project for young offenders who stammer;
exchange with 'Our Time' project.

Outspoken participants are keen to establish a follow-on drama group for young adults who stammer. For more details, contact BSA Scotland.

Funders

Outspoken was made possible with funding from The Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Power, The Russell Trust, The Rayne Foundation, The W M Mann Foundation, The Nancie Massey Charitable Trust and The Saints and Sinners Club.