As Autumn starts to make itself known, we’re buzzing with excitement and activity here at Empath! We have so many wonderful projects in the pipeline, and we can't wait to share them with you all!

But mark your calendars for October 25th because we have something very special planned – our Big Birthday Reveal! Join us as we celebrate and unveil exciting new developments that will shape the future of Empath.

Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for being part of our journey. Your support means the world to us as we continue to bring powerful, emotive and fun theatre experiences to our community.

Celebrating Our Story So Far: Breaking the Mould with Alice Gostick

As we eagerly approach the date of our big birthday reveal, we're taking a moment to reflect on some of our favourite projects from the past few years. One that stands out is our exploration of Alice Gostick's extraordinary life, Breaking the Mould, the Story of Alice Gostick, which was made possible through a Culture Grant from Wakefield Council and staged as part of Our Year 2024 at the Cluntergate Centre Horbury, and Castleford’s Queen’s Mill. 

Alice Gostick was a remarkable teacher who made a significant impact on her students, including the renowned artists Henry Moore and Albert Wainwright. Her legacy continues to inspire us, and we were thrilled to delve into her story with workshops and a live theatre show. As part of that we also had the privilege of working with incredible students from Wakefield College’s the Mechanic’s Theatre.

We invite you to watch a special video below where Writer/Director Steven shares more about this meaningful project and our enriching experience with the Culture Grants:

And here are a few of the other highlights from Empath this month:

Exciting New Project: Humanising Mental Health

We are thrilled to launch "Humanising Mental Health," a year-long project bringing together young people (16-30) in Wakefield to explore mental health history through creativity including art and performance (entirely self-led so you can do what you want). In collaboration with Spark and Yew Tree Youth Theatre, as well as the Mental Health Museum, this initiative offers immersive workshops and creative performances. This project is supported with funding from Wakefield Council Culture Grants as part of Our Year 2024 and through Live Well Wakefield’s Small Grants. 

The project seeks to delve into the collection at the Mental Health Museum and, through lots of creative activities, interpret and share the stories of patients there, as well as give us a chance to reflect on our own mental health. 

Key Highlights:

• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions with historical objects, history research, citizen journalism, and more!
• Public Showcases: Experience the stories in an immersive blended experience. 
• Groups to support: Be part of Empath’s thriving community and become part of our Stagehands crew who help create amazing theatre experiences.

Join us in uncovering and celebrating our shared heritage. For more details, please visit: https://empathaction.org/hmh/

Until we speak again!

Team Empath