Overdue: 248 days
Public benefits
The public benefits that flow from the above purpose are the education in, and the appreciation, understanding, enjoyment and general advancement of, cultural activity and history - most specifically in the area of theatre and the dramatic arts. The focus on past events (pertinent to the area of benefit) as source material for historically based
play /workshops, as well as the community-based research methods employed in collecting that material, results in a validation of local and personal histories for those individuals who contribute to, or witness, that process. The finished performance offers audiences, attending performances in the region’s theatres, schools or museums, opportunities for education, personal reflection and analysis. Post-performance workshops and discussion forums linked to these plays supply enhanced benefits in providing a forum to beneficiaries for public debate on issues raised in the performance. The combined activities provide an increased understanding of how past events impact on present difficulties in a divided society. The particular ability of the theatre arts to simultaneously represent differing points of view in a manner which may encourage empathy, provides rich opportunities for challenging entrenched opinion in the context of Northern Ireland's contested versions of history and its divided society, thereby acting as a catalyst for greater toleration of difference and potential reconciliation amongst beneficiaries, namely the general public living in Northern Ireland. These benefits are demonstrated through filmed records of all performances, as well as any accompanying post-show forums and discussions. There is routine collating of post-performance audience feedback through questionnaires . Statistics in respect of attendance/participation are regularly logged. In-house and external evaluations of projects takes place on a regular basis. Regular communication on artistic and financial performance is presented in the public arena through annual reports, audited accounts , reports to funders and on the company website. Since the company engages in research with the human subject there is a small risk of causing psychological hurt, to a contributor through misrepresentation of their stories. The company adheres to an ethical policy which governs the conduct of its researchers and the transparency of its methods. Contributors are safe-guarded through a system of on-going written consent at each stage of the research and writing process. There is also slight potential for a participant or audience member to be harmed through physical injury in the course of a rehearsal, the setting up of a performance, the performance itself or in a post-performance workshop. This is outweighed by the public benefit accrued in carrying out the activity. It is also mitigated by the policies and procedures which address these small risks, such as safeguarding and child protection policy, health and safety policy and code of conduct for staff and volunteers. The beneficiaries of activities are the general public (including school-age children) living in Northern Ireland. In order to accomplish the anticipated benefits for this constituency , incidental private gain in the form of fair and reasonable payment for services rendered may be accrued by the creative, technical and administrative teams involved in providing cultural and creative services for the beneficiaries of the charity.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
As a company which seeks to engage with communities ,Karma is attentive and receptive to issues which have their roots of contention in past events but which still have currency in the 21st century. Once these issues have been identified, either by a community approaching the company or the company approaching a community, research on the period/
issue begins. This is conducted by company personnel in collaboration with community and academic historians. If appropriate, researchers gather oral histories from the community contributors to act as a stimulus to the writing process. The company may research this material on an individual or group basis. It may, if the community chooses to be involved, develop these stories in a drama workshop environment, alongside a writer commissioned by the company, to be included in the finished performance. Once a script has been completed and its contents approved by contributors, the company seeks out appropriate venues for performance, auditions for actors, appoints a director and a design and technical team. Alongside this process an education team develop parallel ideas for supporting drama workshops, educational notes and discussion forums. The company then rehearse the play and perform it in the selected venue. The additional educational dimension is then tailored to the requirements and wishes of the particular audience constituency.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Voluntary and community sector
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Arts
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Cultural
- Heritage/historical
