We are Am I Actually Living?!? creating performance-based work for schools, focused on young people's mental health. Our work combines theatre, movement, puppetry and spoken word with RSE curriculum guidelines to create engaging and meaningful experiences for students.
Our aim:
This projects is designed to help young people feel seen, understood and less alone in what they may be going through. It reflects real experiences of mental health in adolescence in a way that is honest, relatable and emotionally accessible, helping students recognise that they are very rarely alone in how they are feeling. At its core, our work aims to open up difficult conversations and break down some of the stigma, encouraging greater understanding between young people and those around them. Through performance and workshops, we offer moments of connection, reflection and hope - showing that even in challenging times, there are reasons to keep going. Our workshops focus on real, practical coping strategies and encouraging looking at things through a different light which don't just involve sitting at a desk.
Overall, our aim is simple: to create impact to as many people as possible through honesty, connection, and hope and to support schools and settings in strengthening the conversations they are already having around mental health and well-being.
How the show came about:
This project was developed from personal experiences within school and wider support systems, where I struggled at times to access the right help and often felt moved between services without clear understanding or continuity.
It also reflects moments of feeling isolated, even when surrounded by friends, and finding it difficult to express emotions in a safe and supported way.
Alongside this, I became aware of similar experiences affecting others around me, which reinforced the need for more open and relatable conversations around mental health.
A key part of my journey has been dance, which became an important personal outlet and a way of processing emotions when words were not enough.
This work aims to share these experiences honestly and constructively, in a way that resonates with young people and supports the conversations schools are already having around wellbeing.
The Team:
Charlotte
Performer
Workshop Facilitator
Safeguarding Lead
Grace
Performer
Workshop Facilitator
Lauren
Performer
Workshop Facilitator
Reuben
Technician
Workshop Facilitator
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Charlotte - Charlotte is the director of the company and the main author of the show. Charlotte has RAD ballet training up to Intermediate and has undertaken a range of different theatre workshops from physical theatre to improvisation. Charlotte has a wide understanding of different mental health techniques and has been taught many different therapy methods.
Grace - Grace is one of our performers and workshop facilitators. Grace has a BA (hons) in Musical Theatre Performance from the university of Chichester and is very skilled across multiple music, dancing and acting genres. Grace is one of the co-authors of the show and one of the main chorographers. Grace has been in many stage performances since 2021 in known venues and also has experience in facilitating multiple youth theatre / music groups.
Lauren - Lauren is another of our performers and workshop facilitators. Lauren has a BA (hons) in Contemporary Dance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and has experience across a wide range of dance training. Lauren has taught dance across a wide range of ages and styles. Lauren is the other co-author of the show and main choreographer.
Reuben - Reuben is our technician and workshop facilitator. Reuben is a contemporary dancer and has had training with multiple companies from ZoieLogic to Frantic Assembly. Reuben has been part of multiple shows and taught many dance classes with varying age ranges. Reuben has joined us to support the running of Am I Actually Living?!? as our technician and to support the workshops with his array of dance and teaching experience.