Bright & Wild Young Artist Commissions 2024
In May 2024, Lyra presented its fourth annual Bright & Wild festival. Over two weekends, we presented four new productions created in collaboration with Lyra's Young Artists. These productions were commissioned by the Young Artists themselves in 2023, and they collaborated with their Lead Artists for nine months, creating and devising together. Bright & Wild was produced and hosted by Lyra's Culture Crew.
Bright & Wild Festival 2024 was supported by City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland, Young Start - The National Lottery Community Fund, Places for People
The Bank of Scotland Foundation
Walter Scott Giving Group, The Fore, Youth Music Initiative, The Robertson Trust,
The Barcapel Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation
The Gannochy Trust, Mary Janet King Fund, Radio Forth Cash for Kids, Nancie Massey Charitable Trust, Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust, Educational Institute of Scotland, Stevenston Charitable Trust, William Syson Trust, John Watson’s Trust
Image by Andrew Perry
How to find a Dragon
Created by Geraldine Heaney, Kerry Cleland and Katy Wilson with the Wednesday Young Artists in association with Sprog Rock
"It's hard to hide a dragon, it's not hard to find a dragon!"
Join the dragon-hunters on an adventure to go looking for a dragon.
Audiences can expect live performance, the world premiere of a new music video by Sprog Rock and maybe a dragon sighting... watch out for its fire breath!
Here is the music video we created as part of this production...
A.I. + U
Created by Adam Rosa with the Thursday Young Artists
Dragon Tech, in association with Lyra and the Bright & Wild festival, invites you to experience A.I. + U!
A.I. + U is an interactive peek into the innovative world of artificial intelligence.
What is A.I.? How will A.I. change your life? Will you make a new robot friend? Could A.I. do your job one day?
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The friendly folk at Dragon Tech have the answers. Come face to face with your future at A.I. + U - your tomorrow, today!
Image by Andrew Perry
Image by Andrew Perry
Learning to Dance in the Rain
Created by Niamh O'Loughlin with Youth Dance
Learning to Dance in the Rain is an exploration of confidence, resilience, overcoming challenges and of course, the Scottish weather!
The weather can be unique, epic, surprising and dynamic, just as dance can be. We dance in the ever-changing climate. We dance in the present.
We dance with the wind in our face and the clouds overhead.
Warm, Cold and Inbetween
Created by Tenzin Stephen and Youth Music
The infinite cycle of the seasons brings constant change throughout our live and is the framework within which we all live. Warm, Cold and In-between features original music inspired by the changes that come with each season, and how this affects our young musicians.
Will they remain in this cycle, like a dragon chasing its own tail, or will they break free?
Image by Andrew Perry
Bright & Wild 2024 Team
CHILDREN & TEENS
Crew: Amelia, Ava, Brodie, Eliza, Franklyn, Jamie, Mane, Max L, Max M, Rayyan, Sainabou, Sawda, Simon, Timothy and Zuza
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How to Find a Dragon: Alex, Finlay, Jasmina, Joseph, Laila, Lena, Lily, Liliana, Matthew, Melissa, Nala, Nikola, Orla, Prashna, Tahlia, Testimony, Toprak and Zofia
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AI + U: Antonia, Carlos, Charlie, Chloe, Cody, Daria, Ida, Ieva, Jagoda, Johnny, Joshua, Kushal, Olivia, Patrycja, Surya, Valentina and Wesley
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Learning to Dance in the Rain: Amelia, Angela, Daisy, Franek, Jessica, Kelsey, Kieran, Lilly, Maya, Serha, Sophia and Torkwase
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Warm, Cold and In-between: Amelie, Amir, Andrew, Drew, Eduardo, Florian, Ibrahim, Isla, Jubilee, Kacper, Laila, Lorena, Michel, Odosa, Ola, Sophie and Zoey
ADULTS
​​How to Find a Dragon:
Kerry Cleland (Lead Artist), Katy Wilson (Lead Artist), Geraldine Heaney (Lead Artist)
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AI + U:
Adam Rosa (Lead Artist), Caitlin Mulgrew (Composer), Katy Wilson (Design Consultant), Val Reid (Design Assistant)
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Learning to Dance in the Rain:
Niamh O’loughlin (Concept, Choreography & Costume), Eilon Morris (Sound Design), Katy Wilson (Design Consultant), Manal Ifzal (Young Creator)
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Warm, Cold and In-between:
Tenzin Stephen (Lead Artist), Caitlin Mulgrew (Support Artist), Mischa Stevens (Support Artist), Rebecca Di Rollo (Support Artist),
Katy Wilson (Design Consultant), Fran Fenech (Stage Manager/Technician)
Team Lyra:
Jo Timmins (Artistic Director), Natalia Barua (Engagement Artist), James Preston (Executive Producer), Anna Plasberg-Hill (Engagement Producer), Jenny Noble (Venue Host), Caitlin Mulgrew (Young Company Director Maternity Cover)
Jo Sharp (Engagement Facilitator), Katrine Turner (Facilitator)
Production Team:​​
Matt Elliott (Production Manager & Lighting Design), Emma Reid (Stage Manager/Technician), Lauren Desjardin (Stage Manager/Technician)
​​Lyra Youth Arts Workers:
​​Adam Rosa, Faye Spanaki, Fiona Larkin, Hannah McGregor, Ink Asher Hemp, Jack Dickson, Jennifer Steele, Kelsey Sullivan, Kim Stronach, Rebecca Di Rollo and Surraya Halliday
With thanks to:
Elspeth Chapman, National Theatre of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival.
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Bright & Wild 2024 was funded by:
The Henry Smith Charity, Bank of Scotland Foundation, Walter Scott Giving Group, Youth Music Initiative, The Robertson Trust, Artemis Charitable Foundation, BlackRock Gives, The Theatres Trust, The Gannochy Trust, McGlashan Charitable Trust, Scottish Children’s Lottery Trust, William Syson Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Youth & Philanthropy Initiative, Education Institute of Scotland, Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust