Transcript

[Text on screen: I AM SAIDA]

SAIDA AHMED (CHICKENSHED STUDENT)

I remember first hearing about Chickenshed when I was in college. We was going through tonnes and tonnes of unis and theatres, and we came across Chickenshed, thankfully. Everyone on that page looked so happy. I was like, oh, wow, maybe that’s for me.

On my first day at Chickenshed, I remember feeling really anxious but happy at the same time. As soon as I saw everyone, they were so welcoming towards me and I felt kind of overwhelmed. I was like, yeah, I think I found the right place.

Chickenshed does so many things, and I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of all of it. But I especially love working with children. Working with the children’s theatre has opened my eyes to the variety that performing arts has.

I just really like inspiring little kids, especially because their minds are so full of imagination. And when you teach them how to do certain things, they’re really surprised about it. And I like to see the look on their faces.

Over the past two years, I’ve achieved various things which I thought I would never achieve, to be honest. But they really opened my eyes to things I can do, and the only person that’s holding me back is myself. I feel proud to be an ambassador for Chickenshed. I’ve been to schools. It’s good to go in with the kids and teach them how Chickenshed does things.

I remember doing a couple of shows where I got out of my chair and got to stand. And I did get emotional a few times because I never thought I could put myself in a position where I’m out of my chair, because my chair is my comfort blanket to me. So without it, I felt really nervous. But at the same time, I felt really liberated. Like I could be free and just express myself through movement.

I showed myself that there’s really no restrictions if you enjoy what you’re doing. Pretend the audience isn’t there and just pretend you’re flying.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Chickenshed’s work is very important because it gives people an insight of how to work around people with different abilities. You shouldn’t isolate someone just because they are a certain way. Everyone is just on the same boat. You just got to find what’s special about them.

[Text on screen: We are breaking boundaries. We are Chickenshed. Chickenshed. Theatre changing lives. www.chickenshed.org.uk A Sounds & Pictures production. www.soundsandpictures.net]

[MUSIC PLAYING]