In 2016 in a place called Northampton an idea was formed, and so it dawned on a group of educators that their community is some way needed to be transformed

In to a place where young people could have a positive experience, without the interference of all the different barriers that were holding them back. No reliance

On how much money was in their parents bank account, or the ability to recount facts, figures, information that decided if they were on track. Or the amount

Of limited services there were for young people in the area, people that could share a, love and passion for creativity with others that felt the same. So to clear a

Space for this to exist a school committed to changing, and almost rearranging, a time and a space for this to happen for they were sick of people complaining

That there was nothing for young people to do that was positive, while others had prerogative, they had money, access and all the means to be selective

And so the Lings Performing Arts Academy was born, on Saturdays, 9:30 to 12:00, Everyone, we mean everyone, welcome!

And a rag tag group of 30 young people turned up on the first day, those that wanted to be there, those that were told to come and those that had just lost their way!

The adventure began and their voices were at the heart, the start, the main part, to depart from what was considered the norm – a performing art for change!

Every Saturday they would come to dance, sing and act and we began to attract young people who needed a place to be, to see others that needed the same positivity.

It became a place where young people could be themselves, where they could create in a space that was safeand free of judgement, an acknowledgement of others that it was alright to be different.

To be confident and to speak up about the way they felt about the world around them, they found them -selves creating a place that was theirs, away from the fears they faced on a daily basis.

And then the performances came and others got to see how powerful this group could be. That their difference set them apart from the norm, and their discipline allowed them

To perform pieces that they chose, that they composed, that rose up from their views and beliefs. 

The group grew and grew and defined itself as a place where all were welcome, where everyone could play their part. It didn’t matter if you were there from the start, or you had just walked in that day. Everyone had their equal say.

And people began to notice what these young voices could do, as one by one they slew the barriers that had held them back. 

The money in your bank, the miles left in the tank, where you were born, from what country you were torn, the colour of your skin or cast, what happened in your past.

Shakespeare, Musical Theatre, Dance, Drama, Songwriting, Scriptwriting, singing were the things that provided their voice BUT before them lay a horrible choice!

Out of the hottest fire comes the strongest steel, so the Chinese proverb goes – and so the winds of change blows.

To forge forward or stop altogether, to find a new home or to close down forever? So together the group sat and pondered the fact, a new home was to be found and that was that.

Not just a creative space but a name to suit. A place to recruit many young people that felt the same and so Silhouette became the name.

As Amelia, the name creator, so rightfully said:

We are all equal in a Silhouette. Age, colour, gender, disability or class doesn’t even show. It fits in with what we believe, our moral compass. The word defines who we are and it is at our heart!

But a name is just a name, we needed something to frame the work we do, what was our game, what was our aim.

Together a group of young people came up with a phrase that would shift the gaze of others and redirect the light to the people that needed it the most.

To provide accessible and affordable opportunities for all – became our goal, our figurative soul!

We set out to find our base, a new place that could make an impact in our community, be based in the heartand be a part of everyone’s lives.

The top floor of Weston Favell shopping centre, a great place to start.

And so we opened in 2018, young people that had been part of the previous group began to regroup in a new place and made it their own.

And so our voice has grown and we have done some incredible things.

13 sessions run every week for young people, and even through a pandemic, this is endemic of our commitment to being authentic in what we provide.

Young people at the centre of the work we create, from acting, to dancing, to directing

To scriptwriting, songwriting, singing, choreography and constantly reflecting

And improving as we go, not working slow, not being held back, constantly on the attack to find new ways to improve, to move forward and grow.

Our relationship with the RSC has allowed us to see, to open our eyes to the possibilities. Next gen act, direct, backstage and so much more. Sessions with actors, directors, professionals have developed the core

Of who we are and what we have become. Have given us a voice on the YAB and enabled us to see the leadership we can develop in our own charity.

But we haven’t stopped there, we have no fear of challenging what we think should change and we seek to rearrange how things are done.

Our young people use their voices in places where they can be heard. The carnival, the royal and Derngate, our studio, the centre

Words to try and prevent a problem, or raise a question, to make a challenge or give a suggestion. 

Productions, performances, workshops are so many parts of the change that we hope to make using the performing arts. To win the hearts of the people around us and inject some posititivity in to our community to allow them to see the many things they could become if they begin to change the beat of the drum.

What is next, where are we going, what do we want to do? There are so many exciting adventures, so much we know to be true.

We will continue to follow our compass, no matter where it leads. We know that we will be defined by our deeds.

We will redirect the light to those young people that need it the most. We will play host to their journey and we will help them along their way.

Committed to accessible and affordable opportunities for all – every single day!