After taking inspiration from a meet-up with his own stage hero, performing arts student Philip can’t wait for the curtain to go up on his next theatre performance.
Heading to ARC Stockton this week, the 19-year-old is among those performing in the Our Stomping Grounds Festival – an artistic programme of events celebrating learning disability and neurodivergent culture, led by North-east disabled-led professional theatre company, Little Cog.
His upcoming performance comes hot on the heels of taking part in a Creative Pathways theatre workshop in London with comedian and actress, Rosie Jones. As a result, Philip is feeling more motivated than ever.
“It’s been a very busy time,” said the 19-year-old from Ingleby Barwick who, as a student at Stockton Riverside College, is also in rehearsals for the college’s January production of Babes in the Wood.
But, keen to take every opportunity to perform that he can, he certainly isn’t grumbling.
Describing himself as, “passionate about acting”, he explained: “I am confident and outgoing, and like being the centre of attention, so acting allows me to do that.”
If he gets to break down a few barriers or preconceptions along the way, then all the better.
That is what his hero Rosie Jones is doing, and it has given Philip, who has cerebral palsy, that extra dash of inspiration.
“She is inspiring because she has the same condition that I have,” he said.
Through The Rosie Jones Foundation, the comedian works to help empower those with cerebral palsy, reduce isolation and change mind sets.
Creative Pathways, in association with Scope and The Rosie Jones Foundation, offers career-focused events for young people with cerebral palsy, including discussions from creative professionals.
Even being in the same space with dozens of people in the same boat during the summer workshop felt pretty mind blowing for Philip.
He said: “Somebody asked me, did it feel different being with so many people with cerebral palsy, and it did. It felt different but different in a good way. I have never been in that situation before.”
Now Philip is ready for his next performance as part of the Our Stomping Grounds Festival in Stockton, an opportunity his mum spotted on Facebook.
The festival is a collaboration between professional arts and theatre companies Little Cog, which tours theatres nationally, and Full Circle. Taking over ARC for three days, it will feature a range of theatre, cabaret, music and film.
Starting tomorrow (Tuesday 25th November), Philip is involved in performances including the ARCtic Pirhana Daytime Rave, the Freedom Train Song Premiere, the Place of Power Exhibition Celebration, the Short Film Festival, Joyful Noise and Stomp Cabaret. He has also been invited to be a panellist at the Take Up Space Conference.
Stockton Riverside College’s curriculum manager for creative and digital, Tom Guest, said: “We are incredibly proud of everything Philip is achieving. He is making the most of every opportunity that comes his way and loving every minute.
“Philip says that Rosie Jones is an inspiration because she is highlighting cerebral palsy on a platform across the UK and letting people know that having something like cerebral palsy doesn’t need to be a barrier.
“But here at the college, and on the performing arts courses in particular, Philip brings so much. As a team they find ways to work together and overcome any obstacles. While he probably doesn’t see it, he too is helping to break down barriers.”
Our Stomping Ground Festival takes place at ARC Stockton from Tuesday 25th November to Thurs 27th November. For details and ticket information visit: https://arconline.co.uk/our-stomping-grounds/
