“It has changed the lives of our participants which, in turn, changes our lives and our communities”

Live Theatre, Newcastle

Contacting the World is a pioneering international theatre project that redefines how young people communicate with each other on a global scale.



In a time of conflict and significant cultural change, Contacting the World is a major opportunity for young people across the world to learn about each other’s daily lives, concerns, ideas and hopes for the future.



Since 2002, hundreds of young people have participated in a process of making new, passionate, transforming theatre that reflects the world around us. Produced biannually by Contact in Manchester, Contacting the World has developed an inspirational approach to worldwide youth exchange.



Every two years, twelve companies of young international theatre makers begin a journey of intercultural understanding and exploration through a process of creative exchange. Each company is twinned with a partner group in another country to embark on both creative and personal discoveries. The exchange includes information about the lives of participants, about their home cultures, about their hopes and fears, about their ways of making theatre. The exchanges are guided by Contacting the World’s Artist Facilitators, who stimulate discussion, helping young people find inspiration in each other’s worlds. Each company develops its own unique piece of theatre, but each piece has been affected by the exchange with that company’s ‘twin’.



By the time all twelve companies come together for the Contacting the World festival, they have been communicating with their twins for almost a year. This is why the festival has such a unique atmosphere. During the week itself, participants share the work that they have made to packed audiences. They also host and attend workshops for each other and for the public. Debates, discussions and showcases go on from early morning till late at night.



“The young people involved from across the world in Contacting the World are individuals who will help vision the future of our theatre industry. Contacting the World enables participants to create work of the highest quality, to develop a rich and meaningful collaboration and gain a greater understanding and respect of each other and the way in which theatre can open doors”.

Isobel Hawson, Senior Theatre Officer, Arts Council England



Contacting the World is currently being developed for Liverpool 2008 as part of the European Capital of Culture Celebrations. For more information on how to get involved please contact the Project Director Julia Turpin on +44 (0) 161 274 0631 or email juliaturpin@contact-theatre.org