Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton, UK

We spent the last weekend of January at the big annual D&D event ‘What are we going to do about Theatre and Performing Arts’ at Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton.

The makers were Teejay, Evaristo, Emília, Holly, Ruby, Izzy, Amber, Roisin, Ellie, Marit, David, Helen, Kate, Angelina, Joseph and Arne,  5 adults, 10 teenagers and 1 child. 

It was really special to receive so many young people during the whole weekend. They joined our session on Saturday, they were very excited about the project. At the meditation part, when I asked them to pay attention to their pulse, they started to laugh a lot. I shared it with Phelim and he said 

‘Well, there are lots of laugh in the heart.’ 

So true!!! 

I loved that many young people came to make dolls, but it was the first time though I felt I needed some help, they were asking for my attention at the same time and I made some of them wait much more than I wanted to. 

We made 16 dolls, 4 of them were finished by the makers, the others I finished myself, mainly sewed the legs, on a calmer session on Sunday. One of the dolls is named Jackson inspired by a session about transgender.  

‘Thank you Regina for letting me be part of your dream-making. It was a soothing and reflective experience – a lovely moment of calm in the middle of the storm!’

‘It was really relaxing and I found it very helpful to calm me down and I think it’s a lovely project to be able to be part in. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it and I thought you were very kind and helpful and the whole atmosphere was lovely.’ 

‘This was the second doll I made and just like the last time it was a nice moment of rest, time to think of what has been going on that day. It’s a nice project and I hope that many people will join in and help Regina to achieve her goal.’ 

‘Making the doll is being. It is an opportunity to press pause for a moment, take time, reflect, share in stillness, in activity, in conversation. Felling my pulse during the meditation just reminded me that I am alive, I am full of life. What an achievement! Thank you!’

‘Regina and her dolls are always a nice company, helping you to relax, come back to earth, to connect. A very positive vibe is around her, an oasis, meditative centre point of D&D.’

Thank you very much for all the makers and for D&D team who once more organised a brilliant event for all of us, Thank You! 

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