At CentreStage, we pride ourselves on igniting hope, joy, aspiration, and inclusion within our participants and audiences. Our recent production, 'The Monster & Me,' exemplified this mission through its powerful storytelling and moving performances centred around a delicate narrative of grief—a reality far too common for young people across Scotland.

This story, following a young boy's grief as he loses his mother to cancer, was portrayed by a cast varying in age and background. The production brought together a diverse cast of adults and teenagers, along with the creative talents of Ayrshire College NC Production Arts students, a course we host the practical elements of.

This poignant production was created and directed by our young colleague Isla Grant, who joined CentreStage as a participant in 2006 and is now proudly employed by us. Her journey from young participant to creative leader is a testament to the nurturing environment and opportunities for growth that CentreStage provides. Lois McCreadie and Katy Porter, both long-time

 participants, also assisted in the direction of this production. It’s a delight to see our young talent further develop their skills, give back, and blaze the path for those behind them.

We are privileged to work closely with organisations like NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Who Cares?, Kinship Care, and Beautiful Inside and Out, who operate within the CentreStage village and provide vital support to young people and adults in need. These partnerships are essential in creating a supportive environment and community where people can find hope, healing, and a sense of belonging.

To name a few of the cast: Harry and Sophie captured the challenging role of Connor with care, talent, and maturity. Grace took on the role of Lily, a hopeless yet loyal friend, with remarkable ease. Hannah, an original CentreStage participant and now a teacher, illuminated the stage as Mum, while Eve perfectly embodied Gran. Our ensemble of dancers electrified the stage, bringing this delicate and heartfelt story to life. Alison Sinclair and her college students designs and creations realised the vision of the show, while the tech crew ensured all aspects of light and sound enhanced the storytelling.

'The Monster & Me' was a testament to the transformative power of the arts to heal, connect, and inspire. We are grateful to everyone involved, from performers to our invaluable partners and behind-the-scenes team. Together, we created a memorable experience that touched the hearts of many and reinforced the importance of hope, inclusion, joy, and aspiration.

Let's continue to support each other and create spaces where important stories like these can be shared and heard.