STEP Programme 2025

STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2025 at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, 120 Peckham Hill Street, London SE15 5JT Tuesday 8th July 2025

@STEPSouthwark

About STEP

Southwark Theatres Education Partnership (STEP) is a borough-wide partnership linking the theatre community and education and youth sector in the London Borough of Southwark. STEP aims to equalise, extend and deepen the theatre and drama experience of all young people living in Southwark through the development of strategic partnerships between schools, youth and community groups, theatres and performing arts organisations.

STEP Trustees

Your compere for the evening

Martine Jean-Baptiste (Teacher)

Montel Douglas

Chris Lawrence (London Drama)

Jo Sadler-Lovett (Blue Elephant Theatre) Suzy Smith (Immediate Theatre)

David Workman (Southwark Playhouse) Mountview staff

Vanessa Bunn

Madison Gerringer Simi Gill

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No Table Productions @no_table_ With special thanks to

The Newcomen Collett Foundation who have funded this event and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts who are hosting it.

Kindred Collectiv Before I Even Open My Mouth A group of critical young creatives from Peckham blend hip-hop theatre, music, movement, poetry and film in this multi-disciplinary, multi-media riot of a show.

Before I Even Open My Mouth captures the tension of being unheard in a world on fire: where protest, joy, frustration and hope collide. Co-created by KINDRED and year 9+10 students from Harris Academy Peckham.

Cast + Creatives

KINDRED Facilitators/Creatives

Fatima

Divine

Rina Mushonga

Kailash

Success

Beth Carter

Aini

Elizabeth Donell

Ololade

Darasimi

Esther

Deborah Rylee

Daniel

Anne-Marie Sewell

Harris Academy staff

Penelope Paraskeva-Alimiaga

Ark Walworth Academy The Weight

This original piece explores a range of mental health conditions that affect both young people and adults—many of which often go unnoticed or untreated. Our aim is to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and encourage empathy for those living with these invisible struggles. By recognising the signs and understanding their impact, we can all become more compassionate and supportive. While there may be no cure, there is always hope—and there are ways to help. Created by young performers and their teacher, the play uses elements of physical and epic theatre to inform, provoke thought, and inspire positive action in our audience.

Cast + Creatives

Playwright and Director

Adama B

Malak

Chidumebi (Glory)

Raphael,

Adama M Hadija

Loretta

Olanrewaju

Nicole Clayton

Salaxudin Farah-Yusuf Sonnay

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Haberdashers Borough Academy Sister Act Haberdashers' Borough Academy is pleased to present a snippet of their school production Sister Act. Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder by her gangster boyfriend Curtis and is put in Witness protection...in a convent. Through this unusual setting, Deloris helps the nuns find their voice and through song, finds her soul sisters.

Cast + Creatives Nuns

Facilitators/creatives

Amina Abou Dan

Alex Parsons

Atiaat Bello

Bella Stewart

Cheyenne Nikol Ramos Coba Isla Sefton

Kaiya Roberts

Nathan Hamilton Stella Gibbons

Taiyshia Harris Zayha Blake

Layla Tottoli-Jones Zakaiya Sylvester

Sister Mary Lazarus: Sophia Panayides Sister Mary Patrick: Halle Stevens

Sister Mary Robert: Emily Zuluaga Deloris: Naadei Hope-Kotey

Curtis: João Palomino

Joey: Inigo Yamamoto-Heard Pablo: Fred Gibbons

Thurston Blackburn

The Pope: Zahreddine Ouaguennouni Piano: Alex

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Danielle Edwards Oscar Lane

Films from Bubble The monologue is a drama format that is very flexible and can be very moving. These two films are good examples of how the art form can work very effectively. They don’t have to be filmed, of course, but can be very effective as live performances too.

South Hits Differently Written and performed by

Abena Obeng Abena says:

It’s a real impression of past and present South London – the smells, tastes, sights. You get to meet my family and see how the area is changing, from the eyes of a young black female.

Developed with

Cecilia Knapp

The Ballad of Josiah Kamara Written and performed by

Florence Williams Florence says:

A story of a young boy from South London who wants better for himself, despite the obstacles against him.

Developed with

Siana Bangura

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St Thomas the Apostle School The reality behind the screen This is a devised piece as part of their GCSE Drama course. Their work has been inspired by the following quote from The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: We’ve overprotected our children in the real world and underprotected them online.

Cast + Creatives

Damaree Christopher-Harris Etiosa Erhabor

Facilitator/creative

Reuben Anderson

Hassan Jalloh Levi Adieji

Southwark Playhouse A ‘Peculiar Day’

Vake and his friends are having a Normal Day at the Local Park. Until they aren’t. Vake has a secret, a massive secret, and slowly, that secret eats him up.

Literally. Vake and his friends have to navigate a terrifying tube journey and underground ordeal to try and bring him back, but time is running out.

Cast +creatives

Erica Asher

Nathan Hamilton

Brittany Robinson Sherece Harris

Rowan Chantler Wren Chantler

Shimaz Ahmed

Safia Khodjaeva

Zenekiah McFarlane Maïlys Guglielmi Alicia Livermore

Naylah Badr-Boyce

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Facilitators/creatives

Nichole Cook

Frewyn Thursfield Joe Clark

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Southwark Theatres Education Partnership (STEP) is a UK Charity (1121201) and Company (06069864).