Changemakers

Changemakers is a student-led project exploring how creativity can be used to make positive change. It sought to give young people a voice, ownership to choose topics they want to tackle, and freedom to drive creative activism.  

The Royal Exchange Theatre worked with a class group in three Rochdale schools for four months in Spring 2024: Redwood School, Hollingworth Academy and Cardinal Langley RC High School.

Each class took chose what themes they wanted to explore and the artform. Each project is as unique as the group who have created it. 

Changemakers is a Local Exchange project that took place in Rochdale ahead of The FestiDale in 2024.  

Redwood School 

During a consultation session led by artist Sara Abanur, the students decided they wanted their change-making project to be break stereotypes and the reject labels that have been used to define them.

They created a short film to empower other young people to talk about their disabilities and access requirements, and to always choose kindness over hate.  

Across three creative workshops the students had open discussions about the topic, set their own interview questions, created positive chants, and made positive protest placards to explore the message they wanted to share. 

A short film was created by students at Redwood School with student-led interviews and a colour-bombing celebration.  

Protest placards were also created by students at Redwood School during the Changemakers project. 

“The young people who took part are incredible individuals who really inspired me throughout the project with their positivity. I am so proud of each and every one of them for being so open and honest, and really embracing the project.” Tom Stocks (Schools and Colleges Coordinator)  

View the short film created by students at Redwood School here.  

Hollingworth Academy

After a consultation session led by Sara Abanur, the students decided they wanted to create a piece of art that tackles prejudice and discrimination in the world.

Students pitched ideas of creative activism and how best to share this message. The group chose a song and music video to empower other young people to combat discrimination, and to choose kindness.   

Across three creative sessions, singer-songwriter Yemi Bolatiwa co-wrote a brand-new song with the students which was recorded by Yemi. The students planned, directed and starred in their music video which saw a positive protest burst through the halls, with dance breaks, lip syncing and rap. 

“This was a lot of fun to be a part of. The students were really ambitious – to write, produce and film a music video in three sessions was no small task but we pulled it off! When we walked through the halls with the song blaring, holding protest placards, it was so powerful. They really felt a sense of ownership and rose to the occasion.” Tom Stocks (Schools and Colleges Coordinator)  

View the music video created by students at Hollingworth Academy here. 

Cardinal Langley

During a consultation session with artist Sara Abanur, the students pitched their ideas of creative activism and chose to create something around positive body image and social media.

Students decided to source giant TikTok photo frames for people to have their pictures taken in throughout the The FestiDale with positive messages to celebrate all unedited bodies and all personal styles.  

Students also wrote spoken word and poetry, supported by artist Tom Stocks, about body image and the negative influence of social media on the way we can perceive ourselves. Students filmed a compilation of TikTok style videos with dances, raps and spoken word to celebrate body positivity.  

“Body positivity is a subject close to my heart, so when they chose this subject it made me really happy. I am so proud of how open the students were sharing their own experiences. It was a really special project to be a part of.”  Tom Stocks (Schools and Colleges Coordinator) 

View the TikTok style videos created by students at Cardinal Langley here. 

A huge thank you to the students and teachers at Redwood School, Hollingworth Academy and Cardinal Langley RC High School for embracing this project and inspiring positive change with creativity.