Performing International Plays (PIP) is an impact project based on Dr Margherita Laera‘s research into the ethics and politics of translation for the stage and the relative absence of translated plays from UK stages. PIP promotes international plays and their untapped potential to teach young people the intercultural competencies needed to navigate globalised societies, make each pupil feel represented and inspire respect for other languages/cultures. In 2022, PIP launched as a website of learning resources designed to encourage more teachers to include contemporary plays originally written in languages other than English in the school curriculum, thus increasing the representation of minoritized identities in UK classrooms.
Once the website was finished, Dr Laera and her team started to offer training sessions for teachers. In 2023, PIP started a collaboration with the London-based theatre company, Foreign Affairs, to offer in-person school enrichment workshops on contemporary international plays in order to make meaningful interventions in underserved schools with high levels of diversity. Since then, PIP and FA have received ACE funding, trained 18 facilitators and carried out over 30 workshops in 16 schools, engaging 540 pupils, 48 teachers, focusing on 12 plays / playwrights writing in 10 languages. They have now applied for their second ACE grant to continue their work with schools in London and Kent. They also offer workshops to independent schools who can afford to pay for their services.
If you are interested in PIP’s work, or want to collaborate with Dr Laera and her team, do get in touch via piponlineresource@gmail.com.