Dynamic Pricing
ARC’s policy is to set ticket prices based on demand, like budget airlines, which means we set a price when the event goes on sale and then sometimes put the price up or down depending on how the show is selling. Usually, the price will increase as we get closer to the event, so it is advantageous to book in advance, although sometimes we will put special offers on and reduce the price. Our website will always show the current ticket price.
ARC’s theatre and dance performances are priced on a Pay What You Decide basis, which means you don’t have to pay until after you have seen a show!
We want to encourage more people to come and see shows at ARC, more often. Pay What You Decide not only allows you to pay what you can afford, rather than a fixed ticket price, but also removes the financial risk of buying a ticket for a show in advance without knowing whether you are going to enjoy it or not.
Tickets are available to book in advance as usual, but there is no obligation for you to pay until after you have seen the show. You can then decide on a price which you think is suitable based on your experience, which means if you haven’t enjoyed it at all, you don’t have to pay anything.
All money collected will help ARC pay the artists who have performed, and we therefore hope you will give generously.
Please ensure you have arrived and collected your tickets 15 minutes before the show starts in order to secure your seats. At the end of the show, you can decide what to pay, either by cash on the door or by card at the Box Office.
We are delighted to announce that Our Stomping Grounds: A Celebration of Learning Disability Culture is back this year.
Following the huge success of last year’s first ever Our Stomping Grounds Festival we are back for more! The festival consists of a series of fantastic events and workshops, sharing and showcasing incredible local talent.
We begin the festival with a fantastic music and dance extravaganza which people can book to take part in and others can book to watch the final product. We have an exhibition of original self portraits by local people which will be launched by the wonderful SYSTEMIC Choir. Back again is our Short Short Film Festival which is lovely opportunity for local learning disabled artists to see their work on the big screen as we take over ARC’s cinema.
It wouldn’t be an Our Stomping Grounds Festival without an ARCTic Piranha Daytime Rave, followed by a talent studded Stomp Cabaret to lead us into our joyful Closing Ceremony Celebration.
There is also a series of workshops in the lead up to the festival which are oputlined in our booking formation and include, visual arts self portraits, a Magnificence Catwalk workshop, and a couple of music workshops to create a musical anthem for the Festival 2024. The main emphasis this year has been to explore ‘identity’ and what that means to us all within our stomping grounds.
Identity & Me Exhibition
Our Identity & Me exhibition will celebrate learning disability culture from across the Tees Valley.
This exhibition will feature self portraits from learning disabled individuals and groups revealing unexpected sides of themselves and challenging preconceptions the public often has about learning disabled people. This years’ theme is identity. Through mixed media collage, the group have responded to the theme and created their own portraits.
The exhibition opens to the public on 12th June. There will be an exhibition event as part of the festival at 2.30pm including music from Systemic Choir and poetry from Full Circle members. It’s free to attend but booking is essential.
Festival Programme
Wednesday 12th June
10am – 10.30am Welcome to the Festival by Full Circle
Come together in the main theatre to kick start Day 1 of Our Stomping Grounds Festival. A great place to congregate, spot your friends and make new ones, and socialise ahead of a day of workshops! Anyone attending the workshops today can attend this gathering, which is included when you book your space on the Music Extravaganza – drumming, singing or dance workshops.
Workshop Bonanza
As part of the festival, Full Circle have been working with Singer Songwriter Bridie Jackson to compose a new piece of music all around this years’ theme. This piece will premiere at the festival, and as part of its’ starring moment, we want to create a full performance! Take your pick between drumming or dance, and learn some vital sounds and grooves to accompany this anthem!
Songwriting sessions with Bridie Jackson
Wed 29 May 10am – 12.30pm
Wed 5 Jun 10am – 12.30pm
Join this musical workshop with songwriter Bridie Jackson to create a fun and dynamic performance of an uplifting and joyful new song called Our Stomping Grounds, co-written by Bridie and the Full Circle Theatre Company, especially for the festival.
10am – 11.50am
Plan, play and learn some rhythms using hand drums and percussion to perform later that day, to accompany our new Festival Anthem! and dancers who will also be working hard to create something new for today.
10am – 11.50am
Take part in the Urban Kaos workshop to create fun choreography, in a dance that will bring the festival Anthem! to life.
THE BIG PACKED LUNCH
12pm – 1pm
Everyone is invited to bring their own packed lunches and eat together at ARC while we all have a bit of a break and a bit of a socialise. We’ll continue to be as safe as possible with plenty of space. We’ll also have a quiet area if anyone needs a quiet break.
2pm – 2.15pm
Join us for the premiere of our newly composed song in the Main Theatre. Bridie Jackson will lead the group in song, accompanied by the energetic moves and grooves from Urban Kaos and the rhythms and beats of Gary Bowden on the drums.
SYSTEMIC Choir launch Self Portraits Exhibition by ARCtic Piranha
2.45pm – 3.15pm
The 2nd floor gallery at ARC hosts an exhibition of self portraits from learning disabled artists from Full Circle, ARCtic Piranha, Jam Buddies, Jigsaw and residents from some of our local residential homes. Through mixed media collage, the group have created beautiful images that reflect their identity. There are unexpected elements with beautiful and humorous details in many of the portraits. This exhibition will launch to the public on Wednesday 12th June.
SYSTEMIC Choir will be launching this wonderful collection of images with a very special performance. Light refreshments will be served so please let us know of any dietary allergies or requirements.
Day One Closing / Thank yous
3.30pm – 4pm
Congregate in the Main Theatre to reflect on day one and have your say about what you’ve thought of it all. Roving microphones at the ready!
Thursday 13th June
Welcome to the Day Two of the Festival by Full Circle
10am – 10.30am
Come together in the cinema to kick start Day 2 of Our Stomping Grounds Festival. A great place to congregate, socialise ahead of a day of fun!
10.30am – 12pm
Our Short Short Film Festival is proud to present a series of short films from local learning disabled artists and groups including: Arctic Piranha tell us about their amazing inclusive club nights as a safe haven for learning disabled party-goers, David Courteney presents a short film about becoming Elvis. Full Circle give us a behind the scenes look at the artistic which supports them to come up with original ideas, and also show a second film with a more quirky look at Stockton life. Local band Jam Buddies share a short film about breaking in to becoming a fully fledged band and arranging their first gigs. The award winning, multi-million viewed Shoot Your Mouth Off film company treat us to one of their newer classics which is currently under wraps.
THE BIG PACKED LUNCH
12pm – 1pm
Everyone is invited to bring their packed lunches and eat together at ARC while we all have a bit of a break and a bit of a socialise. We’ll continue to be as safe as possible with plenty of space. We’ll also have a quiet area if anyone needs a quiet break.
1pm – 2pm
We are delighted to be able to dance in the daytime. The ARCTIC PIRANHA DJ Crew are on board, planning the event and arranging the playlist – they might even take requests. Let’s get on the dancefloor and raise the roof!
2.30pm – 3.45pm
At this years’ festival we have a very exciting cabaret performance. Join us for a fun filled hour (and a bit) of magic, magnificence and music! The artists confirmed for your delight are Hidden in Plain Sight Magic (Full Circle), Singers and Musicians from SYMO, A Hunka Hunka Elvis courtesy of David Courteney, A Magnificence Catwalk featuring stunning costumes, STORIESCAPE from Full Circle’s upcoming new show, all rounded off with the roof raising Brass Eyed Dragons
Closing Ceremony
3.45pm – 4pm
We’re going out with a celebratory bang to be created by everyone attending the Festival to bring it to a close.
We can’t wait to see you there!