Have you ever wondered what goes on at a Stage the City Community Champion session? If you've imagined lots of serious conversations and boring topics , think again! These sessions are all about sharing stories, dreaming big and celebrating the places we live.
Each session begins with a warm welcome from Nonsuch Studios Director Edward Boott and Projects Assistant Laura Savage-Weeden, who introduce everyone to the Stage the City project. They explain where the project is now, where it’s going, and, most importantly, why our Community Champions are at the heart of it all.
Stage the City is currently focusing on three Nottingham wards – Sneinton, The Meadows and Bulwell with the aim of involving local people to help shape the project in real time and help create an unforgettable final performance in Nottingham's Old Market Square in 2027.
Sharing the stories that make a place
The sessions are guided conversations exploring the people, places and little quirks that make each neighbourhood unique.
We ask three simple questions:
The Who's?
Who are the people, past and present, who have shaped the area? They might be famous historical figures, local legends or everyday people making a real difference in the community today.
The Where’s?
Which places matter most? From iconic buildings and monuments to favourite meeting spots, parks and hidden corners full of memories, every location has a story to tell.
The What's?
What makes your area unique? We love hearing about local traditions, memorable events, unusual facts and those little things that make residents proudly say, "That's so Sneinton!" or "That's classic Meadows!"
Of course, every community has its challenges too. Rather than ignoring them, we give them their own dedicated space. Negative views and concerns are written on a separate sheet of paper, keeping them visible without overshadowing the many positive stories and ideas being shared.
The champions were then given an imaginary £1 million budget to spend on a spectacular performance for their area, with anything being possible.
Would there be live music? Dancers? Giant puppets? lighting? Fireworks? We asked them to think about what the event felt like, sounded like and even smelt like. In Sneinton the show was opened by a dragon flying through the air and lighting the lanterns at the windmill with its fiery breath!
So far we've held two Community Champion sessions, one in The Meadows and one in Sneinton.
Both have been wonderfully relaxed evenings filled with snacks and fascinating conversations. It has been a real pleasure to meet local residents and hear the personal memories, family stories and rich history that make each neighbourhood so special.
Each of the three areas will host 2 more Community Champion sessions, with every meeting evolving as the project develops and new ideas begin to take shape.
What happens with this ideas?
Stage the City is hosting 3 local performances in Sneinton, Bulwell and the Meadows in Feb/March 2027. The recurring themes, stories, ambitions and ideas of the community champions will feed directly in the creative planning of these shows, with the opportunity to meet with and speak to our associate directors, your voice will make a real difference in what stories we tell!
Join us in Bulwell
Our next Community Champion session will take place in Bulwell on Tuesday 6th October 6pm-7pm at the Bulwell Community Hub, part of Bulwell Academy and we'd love to welcome more local people to get involved.
If you'd like to find out more about becoming a Community Champion in your area, we'd love to hear from you. Come along, share your stories, meet your neighbours and help create something truly unforgettable for Nottingham.
