20 Stories High appoints Paislie Reid in move to expand intergenerational reach

20 Stories High has appointed Paislie Reid as youth and community director in a move heralding the beginning of its work to expand the age range of people it engages with.

Reid, a former 20 Stories High participant and artist, will lead on the Opening Up initiative to expand the company’s reach across age groups, help direct its youth theatre strand and develop projects with Windsor Street Primary School in Toxteth, Liverpool.

In addition, the co-founder of Liverpool’s Black Actors Collective will work to pilot 20 Stories High’s new community company for actors, singers, poets, rappers, dancers, designers and musicians aged over 18.

Keith Saha, artistic director of 20 Stories High, said: “We are so excited to have Paislie on board. She is an amazing artist and innovator who cares passionately about the young people and communities we work with.

“Opening up our age group is a bold move for us, but also feels like a natural progression. As a company that is almost 20 years old, we are not only responding to the needs of ex-participants who have grown with us over that time, but also the greater need for children and those over 30 to have creative spaces in which they can express themselves, especially during challenging times.”

Saha added: “Young people will always be at the heart of what we do, but Opening Up gives us exciting new opportunities to make new work and connect intergenerationally.”

Reid said: “I am so excited to join 20 Stories High in this new role and be working closely with the community to come together to play, create and celebrate the vibrant culture of Liverpool through acting, spoken word, movement and more.”