Inclusive Arts Opportunity

KIND Productions is a community drama group for adults with additional needs and disabilities, based at Leigh Community Centre.
Helena Zizkovska, founder and teacher at KIND Productions, is keen to raise awareness of inclusive arts opportunities in the local area, particularly including those provided by KIND Productions.
Ms Zizkovska explained: “It was created to bring something a little different to our community: a drama company built on the values of kindness, inclusivity and neurodiversity.
“I founded the group after a few years of teaching a wonderful group of neurodiverse students and witnessing firsthand how theatre can build confidence, connection and creativity. Their courage, talent and support inspired me to create a space where everyone, regardless of background, ability or experience, can shine.
“Our weekly sessions combine drama games, improvisation, warm-ups, character exploration and collaborative storytelling.
“Many of our members joined with little to no previous acting experience, yet thrive in an environment designed around patience, encouragement and celebrating each individual’s strengths.
“Drama has had an incredible impact on our members’ confidence, mental well-being and social skills, and we see those transformations every single week. Our group is designed to be as supportive as it is creative, and we are deeply committed to celebrating neurodiversity, building confidence, and providing a genuine sense of community.
“We produce original performances twice a year, all devised entirely by our members. Every December, we present a Christmas showcase that brings together a collection of monologues, short scenes, poems, songs and dance pieces devised throughout the term.
“These showcases always end with a group performance of a Christmas-themed story, and in the past we’ve created pieces about Santa and his overwhelmed elves trying to cope with pre‑Christmas chaos, our own adaptation of the Grinch, and a playful reimagining of Home Alone.
“The showcases are joyful, uplifting evenings that highlight just how much our members grow in confidence and creativity over the year.
“In the summer, we produce a completely original show that we develop, write and stage together from the ground up. These pieces are devised collaboratively, and past productions have included a murder mystery and a comedy about ghosts, both of which allowed our members to shape characters, storylines and scenes based on their own ideas and strengths.
“This year, we are beginning work on a new interactive whodunnit with audience participation. It is an exciting project and an especially good moment for new members to join us, as they can be part of building the story from the very beginning.
“We rehearse on: Mondays, 5.30–7pm at Leigh Community Centre. Anyone interested is welcome to get in touch at [email protected], or follow us on social media at KIND Productions for updates and photos from our shows.”
Picture: The Christmas showcase
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