Scarabeus Aerial Theatre works with children, young people and families, teaching aerial skills, physical theatre, yoga and stilts and creating high quality, innovative and imaginative participatory performance projects.  Their workshops are practical and hands on for young participants - in particular providing an opportunity for them to be creative, to experience challenge, adventure, risk-taking and personal development in a safe environment.

“Scarabeus promoted the importance of risk-taking for participants – taking the children out of their comfort zone.  The outcomes of the project were outstanding.” Lawrence Price, Head of Keys Meadow Primary School

“The children loved linking work in the classroom to the theatre performance – reading results have rocketed.” Andrea Koutsou, Year 5 teacher Hargrave Park Primary School

“Our experience with Scarabeus was unequivocally successful.” Mark Morrel, Head Chingford Foundation Secondary School

Their work extends the learning experience beyond the classroom, to make the curriculum more exciting and fun.  There are natural links in all their work to PSHE, but often the theatre work provides the best opportunities for cross-curricular learning, linking to literacy, DT, science, art.  Developing greater confidence, trust skills and teamwork is all part of the journey, which in turn helps pupils become interested in learning.

With 7 years experience of delivering successful workshops, residencies and performances for children and young people in schools and community settings (including young people with disabilities), they have a proud history of developing successful long-term partnerships with schools. Please see website for further details.

Previous projects have included:

Beyond Flying – A major project with Chingford Foundation School, that used aerial work and theatre to help young people express their experiences of violence and bullying.

The Seagull and the Cat who taught her to fly – Working with Year 5 students, this project took the acclaimed novel by Luis Sepulveda and recreated it as an original promenade performance in different locations around the school, tackling issues of difference and achieving goals that at first seem impossible through teamwork.

Feather Boy – A project to help young people with the transition from primary school to secondary school which worked closely with the school to link the process of creation of the piece to the curriculum, involving the popular children’s author of the Feather Boy novel, Nicky Singer.

Airborne Families – A parental engagement scheme, run in conjunction with Unclassified Arts, that has run in over 40 London schools and encourages bonding between children and parents through theatre games, yoga and aerial techniques. These projects can be delivered during term-time, after hours and during school holidays.  Other options and commissions are possible according to the needs of your school and young people.

Key information

• Participatory creative arts programmes, workshops, residencies, performances) for all ages and abilities using aerial, theatre, yoga, stilts.
• Work linked to National Curriculum
• LOTC Quality Badge & Arts Award Advisers
• CPD for Teachers available
• Flexible tailor-made programmes
• All equipment supplied, Full Public Liability Insurance
• All staff have Enhanced CRB Disclosures