Performing Arts students collaborate to bring ‘Calling Barnsley’ to life

Our Performing Arts students attended the launch of Calling Barnsley, a unique collaborative project from the team at LUNG, that brings together the creativity of Barnsley College students and the voices of the vibrant Barnsley community.

This ambitious project has seen a classic phone box transformed into a dynamic storytelling space, offering a captivating glimpse into the heart of Barnsley through 30 powerful monologues that reflect the rich and diverse stories of the town. The launch event, held at Barnsley Civic, offered attendees a first look at this inspiring installation, alongside live readings of the monologues and opportunities to meet the talented creators behind the project.

The Performing Arts students worked alongside LUNG throughout 2024 to bring the project to life. Matt Woodhead, Co-Director at LUNG and his colleagues conducted weekly workshops, introducing students to verbatim theatre techniques and encouraging them to reflect on their perspectives of the town and its surrounding boroughs.

This provided invaluable industry experience for the students, who were actively involved in casting the professional actors to perform the audio monologues and took on roles within the directing team during studio recording sessions. Additionally, students had the exciting opportunity to perform a selection of these monologues at the launch event, gaining first-hand experience of bringing a performing arts project to life.

Paul Atkins, Performing Arts Course Leader, said about the project: “The students and the Performing Arts team at Barnsley College have thoroughly enjoyed working with Matt and the team. We deeply appreciate the opportunities this collaboration has provided, allowing our students to develop their skills and gain invaluable industry experience.”

You can visit this instillation and listen to the hidden stories of Barnsley at Barnsley Civic until May 2025.

‘Calling Barnsley’ is commissioned and funded by Storying Barnsley, Barnsley Council’s Cultural Development Fund project (CDF). The Cultural Development Fund is a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) fund administered by Arts Council England.

Photography credit: Robling Photography