The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry has been the latest setting for a Vamos full mask residency, where we were delighted to be invited to work with the theatre’s Community & Education Company. The project, which spanned over 6 days, reached a wide variety of community groups, including Senior and Middle Youth Theatre, Black Youth Theatre, Year Ten BTech students, and the Shine on 50+ group. The Belgrade runs the residencies to provide participants with an opportunity to encounter a wide range of artistic practice, and to enrich their experiences as emerging artists

In the sessions, led by Vamos’s Marissa Gunter, participants learned about full mask performance, played games that highlighted how we connect non-verbally, and exchanged ideas about communication. The groups sparked ideas about human connections, including connections with someone with a difference, such as autism. The residency also included an introduction to mask work for the Belgrade’s staff leaders, led by Vamos’s Rachael Savage.

Marissa commented, 'The power of the mask to transform and enliven any and all was prevalent throughout the entire residency with the Belgrade. It was a pleasure to be able to work with such a variety of cross generational and multi-cultural groups’.

The Belgrade found the residency very positive:  Claire Simpson, General Manager (Community and Education) told us:"We have been delighted to have the opportunity to invite Vamos to take part in a residency with the Belgrade’s Community & Education Company…The workshops provided a unique opportunity for some individuals who find communication or performance difficult with an opportunity to communicate purely physically with the ‘safety net’ of the mask.  This delivered some surprising results from our participants. ..We look forward to working with Vamos again in the future."

Vamos is delighted to have created a residency for the Belgrade, and to have been able to work with such varied community groups. We’d like to thank everyone who participated for their energy and commitment, and all at the Belgrade for being so very welcoming.