Devised Theatre
Since 2007 the University of Winchester’s Learning and Teaching funds have supported the development of the Devised Theatre Project run by Annie McKean.
This allows students from the University of Winchester to work as part of a team to develop a theatre production with inmates from HMP Winchester. Taking part in theatre projects in challenging environments provides students with a unique learning experience. They work as mentors with people from social backgrounds they would normally not encounter, and engagement with this work promotes greater sense of responsibility through community involvement and service. The experience gained stimulates understanding and empathy and generates consequent attitudinal changes, contributing to processes of maturation.Taking part in these projects offers an education for citizenship and a learning experience which goes beyond conventional learning.
In April 2010 the Playing for Time Theatre Company staged a play written by Professor Tim Prentki in West Hill, HMP Winchester.The play was based on materials gathered during a six week workshop period.
In 2009 this project was awarded the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship (The Talloires Network) in recognition of its outstanding work.