A film and TV star from Barrhead has been sharing her expertise with young people this summer through a free drama project.
Annmarie Strain was 19 when she landed the role of Chantelle in Ken Loach’s drama Sweet Sixteen, before going on to play Hazel in River City for four years.
Over the course of six days, split over two weeks, around 50 youngsters attended sessions with Annmarie and the In Cahootz team at St John’s Church Hall, in Aurs Road.
In Cahootz uses the arts to engage people in positive and inspiring activities that will enhance and improve their skills and confidence.
Annmarie, who is a drama facilitator for the charity, told the Barrhead News: “We had an amazing opportunity to bring another free drama project to Barrhead.
“It was a great success. Thank you to our In Cahootz team and volunteers who helped make our summer project run very smoothly.
"No matter how many projects I do, nothing gets any better than seeing the difference drama makes to the lives of others that I work with.
“Doing drama doesn't necessarily mean you will go on to be a performer or be involved in the industry at all.
“It gives you life skills, improves and enhances wellbeing and mental health, helps you form friendships and gives an opportunity to explore issues and topics in a safe way that would otherwise be challenging - and you get all that and so much more by having fun."
East Renfrewshire Council funded the project, which offered sessions to those in primary one to primary four from 10am to 12.30pm and those in primary five to primary seven from 1pm to 3.30pm.
The workshops were all about drama fun, developing skills, gaining confidence and making friends.
Those who went along explored emotions, their likes and dislikes and enjoyed lots of games and art activities.
The sessions culminated in a sharing day, with both groups staging a performance in front of friends and family to show what they had learned.
Annmarie, whose own love for community drama started when she attended Dunterlie Youth Theatre, in Barrhead, said creating opportunities like this locally for youngsters is what motivates her.
“I was fortunate to be offered opportunities when growing up in Dunterlie," she added.
“It's very important to me that young people and adults alike can experience the same opportunities.”
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