By implementing this project, we aimed to support professionals working with young people on the topic of performance pressure and train them in practically theatre methodology skills, while working with young people in exploring performance pressure through a creative and reflective theatre process. A key objective was to translate these experiences into a practical and transferable tool for the field of social work. The project was designed not only as an artistic intervention, but also as a learning process that could be documented, analysed and shared. The final goal was to develop a handbook for social workers, youth workers and educators, offering concrete methods, reflections and examples on how theatre can be used to address performance pressure. By creating this resource, we wanted to ensure that the project’s insights would continue to support professionals in their daily practice, enabling them to work with care, creativity and confidence, and to apply theatre as a sustainable tool for empowerment, awareness and resilience among young people.
We applied for this project because performance pressure has become a constant and often overwhelming reality in the lives of many young people. Expectations from school, family, social media and society. The project addressed the urgent need for a safe, non-judgmental space where young people could explore these pressures without being evaluated or compared. Many existing environments focus on outcomes and achievement; we wanted to offer an alternative that prioritises process, reflection and personal growth. Through theatre, young people were able to express lived experiences of pressure, fear and ambition, transform them into shared narratives, and regain a sense of ownership over their stories. By working with theatre, we responded to the need for empowerment, resilience and connection, especially for young people at risk of exclusion. The project supported them in developing self-awareness and empathy, while also raising awareness among peers, parents and communities about the impact of performance pressure.