Young people everywhere should be able to creatively explore their identity. It is crucial that spaces to do that are joyful, safe and uncensored.
One way we do this at Company Three is through our Affinity Groups; spaces where young people can come together with other young people and artists who share that identity.
We’re sharing two short films - #BlackIs Boy’s Archive and #BlackIs I love yours and I love mine - that were created by members of one of our affinity groups, Black Is Safe (BiS). Alongside this, we’re sharing a resource pack so that youth theatres and club everywhere can set up their own Affinity Groups.
#BlackIs Short Films
#BlackIs Boy’s Archive focuses on the stereotypes, images and expectations put on Black boys by not just non Black people but by the Black community too. We watch the boys unpack the layers as they grow to celebrate who they are.
#BlackIs I love yours and I love mine. Looking at colourism within the Black community and it’s origins being rooted in white supremacy culture. These girls explore in their own way how to pull out generational roots by understanding what it means and what it would do to truly embrace the phrase ‘Dividing and conquering is hard when I Love yours and I Love mine’.
Affinity Group Blueprints
Affinity Groups are spaces for our young people to talk and creatively explore parts of their identity with other members and artists who share their identity.
Learn how you would set up your own affinity group in your youth theatre, youth group or school with these pay-what-you-can Blueprints.
We’ve noticed that providing space for groups of young people who share an identity allowed them to find the words to articulate their stories authentically, get validation from the others in the group who connect with the same experiences, gain confidence, comfortability and speaking unfiltered. To be able to share their story without having to explain themselves first in these spaces was a privilege they acknowledged and enjoyed.
We think these are valuable spaces for all youth theatre groups so wanted to share our practice and experience so other groups could set up their own.
What’s Included?
Introduction to Affinity Groups - what they are and why they’re important
Frequently asked questions - for anyone wanting to set up an Affinity Group
Three Games to play in Affinity Groups
Five exercises to play in Affinity Groups
Four session plans: your first session, a joyful session, a rant session for after a difficult week, and an individual making session.
See the Affinity Group Blueprints
We want these resources to be open to anyone working with young people, no questions asked.
See these resources on a pay what you decide basis, and consider paying it forward if you can.
Affinity Blueprint - Free
If you want to access these resources but are a freelance youth theatre practicioners or a new youth theatre, you can view them for free. You'll still gain full access to all our resources.
Affinity Blueprint - £5.00
Consider supporting this project and our work with young people by paying £5.00 for access to these resources. You'll have all you need to set up and run Affinity Groups.
Affinity Blueprint - £10.00
If your organisation can afford it, consider paying it forward. Spend £10.00 on this resource pack and you'll have all you need to set up an Affinity Group, plus you'll be supporting another group to do the same.