Hackney Shed Slam 2019.jpg

A speech competition for young performers (year 9/10) from schools in and around Hackney.

we showcase the best of Young talent each year!

  • We’ve worked with schools including – The City Academy Hackney, City of London Academy Shoreditch Park, Clapton Girls' Academy, Mossbourne Academy, Our Lady's Catholic High School, Park View School and Skinners Academy.

HOw does it work?

  • The project runs from Oct - Dec each year.

  • Students from the different schools choose and prepare speeches for performance. This could be a dramatic monologue, speech or a piece of original writing.

  • The Hackney Shed team offer free workshops to guide and encourage the young performers in their performance skills.

  • Each school then host their own preliminary rounds to choose two finalists.

  • In December, the finalists from across all the schools come together to perform at the Hackney Shed Slam final hosted in the theatre space at BSix College.

How to get involVed in the HAckney Shed Slam

If you’d like to find out more or get involved email julia@hackneyshed.org.uk

ONe Take Wonders

  • In 2020 we tried something new!

  • Due to Covid-19 restrictions in autumn 2020 we worked on a digital project with Our Lady’s Catholic High School.

  • Students choose and worked on their speeches in ‘mini-crews’ - a performer, a director, a camera person.

  • Together they crafted and filmed their speeches. The only rule was to film in 'one take' but the students could be as creative as they wanted with this.

  • The Hackney Shed team ran free workshops (online) around ‘acting for screen’ and filming skills to support and encourage the student teams.

  • These filmed pieces were shared at an Insta-Live showcase in December 2020

What People Say About Hackney Shed

Testimonials

It's non competitive and encourages cooperation, collaboration and celebration of people's differing strengths.

Hackney Shed doesn't just support children and young people the benefits spill over to parents and carers too, especially around well being, knowing the 'shed' members are being well catered for.

“Hackney Shed provides a unique service to communities across Hackney which is financially accessible (unlike others). It's format is vital in respect of social cohesion and providing space for the development of young people in a way which is non judgemental and inclusive”

A really fun drama space where you could feel safe and comfortable expressing ideas. I've met so many cool people I wouldn't have without this.

Hackney Shed is a marvellous, shining example of genuine, meaningful inclusion.

“It is a rare and valuable opportunity to meet and make friends, socialise, develop his independence and feel rightly proud of himself”

“Hackney Shed is great and continues to wow - great for kids and parents.”

“Great energy. Inclusive for all. Creative teaching which allows children/young people opportunities to gain confidence”

"The best thing is that we have a proper theatre, with lights and costumes and musicians and everything, so when we do a show it feels like a real show, not just kids.”

"Hackney Shed enriches my child's life on so many levels. She is not only learning theatre skills, but so much more. She is learning about community and co-operation, and is gaining in confidence and self-worth."

"As a parent with a child with special needs I value the inclusivity over and above everything. This is from the point of view both of how good it is for him to feel included and valued but also from the point of view of my other two children who are able to see him and others with special needs being on an equal footing."

"We have been Hackney residents for nearly 20 years and have been very proud to find such an excellent opportunity for all children right on our doorstep."