Festival time at Sheffield Theatres

Launchpad, Sheffield Theatres’ project, for adults with learning disabilities or autism, celebrates theatre, creativity and the arts among adults with learning disabilities from Sheffield and beyond.

The festival is free to drop in (July 10-11), with dance workshops and Q+A sessions, a sensory room using ideas from the Launchpad Steering Group and performances, including two original pieces devised by MENCAP and Sheffield Theatres.

There will also be audio work from carers of adults with learning disabilities, and poetry from participants from the Burton Street Foundation.

Pinder Dance's DramaStarz and Enable will perform, while Under the Stars presents Sistarz: a new girl group musical. There will also be an improvisation collaboration and a DJ party.

The theatres' Together Festival (August 1-2), is a free festival celebrating theatre and arts, created with community groups across Sheffield, for families and anyone interested in theatre.

The inspiration for the festival is the theme of ‘wonder’, with music, dance, drama, live performance, storytelling, poetry, parades and more, as well as an outdoor stage and a party.

On day one, Forced Entertainment and Element Society present Facetimes, developed with their young people's group.

Dream Arts, a touring theatre company working with unaccompanied asylum seekers, presents Heads Up: Frank's Story, with SlamBarz music and poetry.

Day two features performances from Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, the United Women Affiliation, Blanket Fort Club, Sheffield Theatres’ Youth Theatre, Pinder Dance, Manor After School Kids Klub and more – including an outdoor stage of acts hosted by Sam Buttery, who most recently appeared as the people-eating plant in Sheffield Theatres’ production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Simon Marshall, community project manager at Sheffield Theatres, said: "We’re proud to showcase the work of our Launchpad project with performances, workshops and things to see and do, created with groups across the city.

"Together Festival will be a huge celebration of the creativity of Sheffield’s communities."

More info here