Zoe Jackson launches Dream Foundation with "I Have a Dream"

Feb. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- In the wake of the last summer’s unrest in London and around the UK, Zoe Jackson, founder and director of the Living the Dream Performing Arts Company, said: "Our young people are in trouble for all sorts of reasons that we don't always understand. Young people of today are tomorrow's leaders.  They bring energy, new perspectives and a new voice to our society but sadly, the media presents a negative image of young people".

She unveiled plans for a youth-led campaign, “I Have a Dream” to promote the positive contribution that young people can make through the performing and visual arts and has now established the Dream Foundation as a not-for-profit foundation to provide subsidised or free access for young people to performing arts training and performance opportunities who would otherwise not have access through lack of funding, encouragement or positive role models.

On 2nd and 3rd March 2012, Zoe will be producing a show, I Have a Dream, at the Arts Depot in London to launch the Dream Foundation and promote her campaign.  Inspired by Martin Luther King’s speech, the show will explore issues young people face including riots, unemployment, racism and stereotypes. It will involve Living the Dream’s professional company collaborating with other dance groups featured on Sky One’s Got to Dance and Britain’s Got Talent.

Zoe is hoping to create a “Dream 100” group of individuals and businesses to sponsor and endorse her campaign and has already had support from the likes of Dragon’s Den Doug Richard and Virgin Media Pioneers.  She needs to raise £100,000 to support a major project to encourage young people to consider careers in the performing arts, targeting 14- to 17-year-olds who have shown evidence of talent and a passion for the performing arts but do not have access to the tuition and facilities to enable them to pursue further or higher education.

Ultimately, she would like to build a centre for the performing arts in London that is affordable for all young people.

Zoe says “Young people of today are tomorrow's leaders.  They bring energy, new perspectives and a new voice to our society but sadly, they are often misrepresented in the media.  Living the Dream shows young people at their very best, thus is a positive representation of today's youth in the media to counter negative images of young people.”

I believe that despite their damaged image and the pressures they experience, young people continue to look for avenues to express themselves in a safe environment, work hard, be creative, have fun, make a contribution to society, feel valued and value themselves.  Unfortunately, the provision available for young people to pursue these outlets is limited, sometimes expensive and exclusive.”


When:  Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd March 2012
Showcase start each night: 8:00 PM
Venue:  Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London, N12 0GA
Tickets: £16 Adults, £10 students and concessions
Box Office: 020 8369 5454
http://www.artsdepot.co.uk/event_details.php?sectionid=da...

For photographs, interviews and further information, please contact us
Information: www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk


Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJZAdiviyc&list=UUGJS4Y_u...



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Living the Dream Performing Arts Company is run by young people for young people, providing opportunities to learn dance, acting, filmmaking, design, technical skills and production through classes, workshops, showcases and commercial performances.