Two students of Interplay’s Tools for the Trade course are celebrating this week after achieving the highest form of Arts Award accreditation – the Gold Award. Gavin Smith of Swallow Hill Community College and Lewis Smith of Abbey Grange CofE High School have only been attending Interplay since September one day per week, yet have succeeded in gaining the award in only half the time it would usually take.

Gavin and Lewis met outside of school and were bought together through their love of music. Their entrepreneurial spirit meant the boys quickly formed their DJ outfit the Bassline Bruvas and began securing their own gigs at some of the most prestigious clubs in the city, building up a loyal following in the process. Since attending Interplay they have worked diligently with their lead artist and musician, Lee Smith, in the recording studio to further explore their passion for music. They are now proficient at operating a professional recording studio; writing and producing their own tracks, recording bands and learning musical instruments.

The Gold Arts Award is designed to encourage and train young people to become arts leaders. For their award, Gavin and Lewis not only had to learn about their chosen field, but also planned and ran a course in music production for a group of Year 10 students from Swallow Hill Community College, showing them how to DJ and how to record and mix their own tracks. The Gold Arts Awards are recognised by UCAS and are equivalent to an A-Level qualification. This is an enormous achievement considering the boys are so young, at just 15 and 16 years of age!

Gavin and Lewis had hardly played an instrument before attending Interplay and Gavin remarked;

“I would never have had the confidence to stand up in front of people before coming here. The same goes for Lewis, he had never even picked up a bass before and he learnt how to play it really well in just a few weeks!”

But their achievement doesn’t stop there. Paul Maven who moderated the boys work on behalf of Trinity College London was so impressed by the standard of their work he has asked their permission to showcase their work nationally as a model of best practice. He said of Gavin and Lewis;

“It’s fantastic to see two young people doing so well with their music. I have been a musician for 15 years and have had little success in getting my music heard, but the fact that these two have had their tracks played on BBC Radio Leeds and have regular DJ gigs speaks volumes for their attitude and dedication to their art.”

Paul went on to say “It’s a great story that these two were bought together through music and even more remarkable that they have achieved such an impressive qualification at a young age for something they are clearly so passionate about”

When asked what was next for the Bassline Brothers Gavin commented;

“I’d like to keep on going, pushing for bigger and better things. We are still going to DJ and produce our own tracks but I think we would both like to start a band. We’ve gotten so much out of this year and one of those things is finding the confidence to get up and play in front of people.” The sky really is the limit for these young music entrepreneurs.

Interplay has worked with hard to reach young people for 40 years, particularly in West Leeds where the company is based. Tools for the Trade is a vocational Alternative Learning Programme that engages hard to reach young people through the arts. Young people work closely with professional artists and musicians in drama, film and music, learning new skills that raises their self-esteem and can be taken back into schools. 

A trip of 23 young people from Armley traveled to attend a glitzy awards ceremony at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square yesterday. One Man’s Walk scooped the prize for Best Film by Over 13’s at the Awards, which celebrate the next generation of British filmmaking talent.

One Man’s Walk is a tale by Nicholas Mitchell about his brother Kenneth, and is a window into his world; his likes, dislikes and what is most important to him. Kenneth has Downs Syndrome and making the film engaged him in a creative process and allowed him and his brother to create a view of his world. A panel of judges including comedian Ben Miller (from the Armstrong and Miller show), T4 presenter Rick Edwards, actor Joseph Fiennes and Robert Sheehan (from Misfits and Red Riding) chose the film as the winner. They said;

“The film had a beautiful sentiment to it, and it had the greatest reason for being made. The lovely light hearted narration and clever analogy ie his ‘walk’ were great ways to tell the story, and the result was very intuitive film making”

Interplay raised funds to pay for a coach trip to take the young people to the prestigious ceremony in London with support and donations from local Councilors, Amber Taxis and Asda Killingbeck.

A panel of judges watched over 70 films from around the country to choose winners from 12 categories. The awards were presented by a host of stars including James Corden, Sir Ian McKellan, Gemma Arteton and Ralph Little to name a few.

Nicholas Mitchell accepted the award onstage with the other young people, which included his brother Kenneth. He said of the award, “Me and Kenneth were gobsmacked we won, we didn’t expect to! It came as a surprise but it was really good”

Hayley Butler, who starred in Show and Tell which was also nominated for an award said;“It was a really good day and I’m so proud of Kenneth. I can’t wait for next year!”

Steve Byrne, Artistic Director at Interplay said of the day

“We had a fantastic day in London and to win an award is a validation of how talented our young people are. We think they thoroughly deserve this and just being at the ceremony enjoying the other films from talented young filmmakers around the country was a great experience for them!”

To look at Gavin and Lewis today you would never believe that little over a year ago these two young men had been flagged up as being at risk of underachieving and predicted low grades at GCSE. Today they are on their way to achieving a Gold Arts Award (which is the equivalent of an A Level qualification!) and are making their own tracks which they play in some of the most prestigious night clubs in Leeds on the under 18’s circuit, building up a loyal and dedicated following under their DJ name The Bassline Brothers. Their entrepreneurial spirit has seen the boys go from strength to strength, securing their own gigs in and around Leeds and even one in the South of England!

Gavin Smith is a Year 11 pupil at Swallow Hill Community College and met Lewis Smith, a Year 10 pupil from Abbey Grange outside of school. They were bound together by their similar taste in music, a passion to learn about the music industry and a united sense that the traditional curriculum was not teaching them what they wanted to learn. Both approached their teachers and requested to come to Interplay one day a week for the Tools for the Trade program. The boys began attending the sessions on Thursdays, working closely with lead artist and professional musician Lee Smith in the recording studio. The dedication and passion for learning they showed meant that they progressed quickly through the modules, learning degree standard studio skills such as recording bands, mixing and mastering techniques, music theory, as well as an insight into how the music industry works.

Gavin and Lewis now run their own afternoon teaching sessions as part of their Arts Award qualification with a group of Year 10 students showing them how to produce their own tracks. The boys are learning how to plan a lesson, deliver sessions effectively and achieve targets and objectives with their learners.

Gavin is preparing to take his GCSE exams and will be leaving school in July. His plans for the future include producing music and continuing to DJ in the clubs of Leeds. He has been offered a conditional place on Leeds College of Music’s Music Technology and Production course. Lewis is a Year 10 student so will be returning to Interplay for another year on the Tools for the Trade Program. He will assume a mentor role within the program helping newer learners learn the skills and techniques he has mastered this year.

Gavin and Lewis are both focused, ambitious young men who have, against all the odds, triumphed and made a successful enterprise out of their love of playing and producing music. They both say that attending sessions at Interplay has given them a boost of confidence in their ability to be successful within the music industry and the focus and determination to stick to their goals.

Executive Director Jude Wright says of the boys success “Gav and Lewis have achieved fantastic things this year and the company are extremely proud of how hard they have worked. They have shown outstanding leadership skills and really moulded the course to get as much out of this year as they can. We are excited to see what great things they will go on to achieve as The Bassline Brothers and in their own individual music projects. I have no doubt that these are two to watch!”

Interplay has a reputation for working with hard to reach young people in and around Armley for the past 40 years. Tools for the Trade started as a vocational training program for young people who were at risk of underachieving or becoming NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) whilst at school. Learners work in small groups with professional artists, exploring music, drama and film as a route back in to education, learning new skills and in turn raising their self esteem. Young people leave Interplay with renewed self belief and confidence in their abilities which can be taken back into school. 

A film made by teenagers in Armley has been selected to appear in the 36^th annual Seattle International Film Festival. Film fans flock to Seattle from far and wide for the annual Film Festival to view submissions from around the globe. The festival begins on 20^th May and will run until 13^th June. 

One Man’s Walk, made in Armley by a group of young aspiring filmmakers, was selected from thousands of submissions to be shown as part of the FutureWave Shorts section, which celebrates short films made by talented young people. The film was written by 22-year-old Nicholas Mitchell, and is about his brother Kenneth who has Downs Syndrome and is a look through his eyes; his likes and dislikes and how he sees the world.

Nicholas and Kenneth are members of LS12 Film, a group of young people from a range of backgrounds and abilities who meet at Interplay weekly in Armley, Leeds. The LS12 Film group has been running for three years and was borne from a desire to give local young people who had never experienced film the tools to tell their stories. Now in its third year of running the young people are recruiting new members, developing skills in leadership and mentoring while cascading vital film skills to their peers.

The Seattle International Film Festival is the largest and most well attended film festival in the United States with 160,000 attendees expected in 2010. SIFF screens a wide selection of the best new international features and documentaries over the 25-day festival, presenting more than 400 films from over 50 countries. With extensive local, national and international media coverage, the Festival has emerged as one of the country’s most accessible and highly publicized film events.

Interplay have 40 years experience working with young people with profound barriers to learning whether it be economic, social or sensory. The company engages young people across all artforms, creating theatre, music, visual arts, radio and film. Interplay also create theatre work that tours to special schools nationwide, giving audiences a sensory experience which redefines the relationship between spectator and performer.

One Man’s Walk recently won an Award at the First Light Awards for Best Film by Over 13’s. Interplay’s Executive Director Jude Wright, project manager of LS12 Film says of the inclusion in the Seattle International Film Festival;

“We are a small company who work with local young people and were honoured to be given National recognition at the First Light Awards in March. To be selected for this prestigious International event is amazing and really"

The influence of Woody Guthrie spans generations and his music has touched the work of many singer-songwriters and entertainers of our day. Music lovers, folk fans and casual listeners alike recognise Woody as the Godfather of Folk and his influence can be heard everywhere, from the music of Bob Dylan and Christy Moore to Ani DiFranco and Bruce Springsteen. It is the fascinating story of his life that Interplay will be bringing to life on stage in their captivating production This Land: The Story of Woody Guthrie.

Hugely anticipated play This Land is a riveting 75 minutes of drama and live music documenting the life, loves and songs of a figure who has arguably had an impact on all of modern music. His colourful life has become as legendary as the songs he wrote. His is a story of highs and lows, from the heartbreaking death of his mother in a fire to the rousing gigs at rallies and transit camps. Discover things you never knew about America’s much-loved Folk Hero and his dance of death with Huntington’s Chorea. The show has universal appeal, Woody fans and folk enthusiasts alike will find something to love about This Land.

The performances of This Land are at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from 15^th – 17^th of July and tickets are on sale now.

Artistic Director Steve Byrne, the author and director of This Land said of the production;

“Audiences who see This Land will find themselves experiencing a type of theatre they are unlikely to find anywhere else. Through his music Guthrie told the story of the downtrodden, of people who didn't have a voice. I thought his story was really pertinent to what we do at Interplay," says Byrne. “His was a powerful voice that spoke across generations and this is evidenced in the legion of fans who are fans of his music today.”

Interplay is marking its 40^th Birthday this year and in celebration will be bringing the fascinating story of Woody Guthrie to the stage. Interplay’s unique approach to theatre is highly professional and incredibly energetic. Five actor musicians will perform incredible live renditions of his songs to bring the performance alive and this production has been hotly tipped as one of the top 5 must see theatre pieces this year. 

Young people from Primrose Hill Primary School in Pudsey will be taking part in the annual Stan Kenyon Challenge this week. There to capture all the action on film will be Interplay who have been working in a Creative Partnership with staff and pupils to create a TV station within the school.

Interplay staff have been working alongside 12 year 6 pupils to create content using high tech video recording equipment and software for their in-school TV station. The first big event to be celebrated by PHTV will be the Stan Kenyon Challenge.

The pupils of Primrose Hill will use various forms of transport including bus, trains and cycling to get into Leeds City Centre to meet the Lord Mayor. The challenge is an initiative to get young people of Leeds thinking about alternative eco-friendly ways of traveling. The challenge is named after Stan Kenyon who made a significant contribution to the Planning Department of Leeds City Council until his retirement in 1995. As well as considering the environmental factors of travel the young people are encouraged to think of other issues such as safety and cost.

Artistic Director of Interplay Steve Byrne adds;

“The project is a really interesting collaboration between the teachers, artists and young people and I’m intrigued by the opportunities using IT and digital media in the classroom presents”

Interplay are a charity who work with young people who face economic, social and sensory barriers, engaging them through art, music, film and drama. Interplay was founded in the early 1970's. During the past 40 years the company has established itself as one of the country's leading theatre companies developing theatre for and with young people and adults with learning and physical disabilities. 

In addition the company works closely with Alternative Programmes @ Education Leeds  which caters for young people who have trouble engaging in mainstream education.  Through Interplay’s community programme, Tools for the Trade, young people from the Programme work to create their own music, film, theatre and radio. 

The company is funded by Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Grants.