Youth Theatre News

Bookings now open for NAYT Excellence and Inclusion Scheme launch event

The National Association of Youth Theatres’ new Excellence and Inclusion Scheme sets standards for youth theatres to work towards. These are set out in two research documents: Excellent Youth Theatre and Inclusive Youth Theatre.

Excellent Youth Theatre discusses how to recognise and value excellence in youth theatre whilst continuing to embrace and celebrate the diverse range of organisations, groups and practices which form the youth theatre sector.

Inclusive Youth Theatre discusses ways you can ensure your youth theatre reflects and serves the diversity of your local community and put young peoples voices at the core of your work.

About the launch

The Excellence and Inclusion Scheme launch event will include:

An introduction to the Excellent Youth Theatre and Inclusive Youth Theatre documents.
Practical advice on how to implement the scheme from youth theatres that have run it on a pilot basis.
Speeches by the publications’ authors: Professor Jonothan Neelands and Juliet Raynsford of the Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research at the University of Warwick.
Break-out sessions to discuss the scheme.

How much will it cost?

Nothing! The launch event is generously supported by Arts Council England, the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Birmingham Repertory Theatre which enables you to attend free of charge. There is however a £15 refundable deposit per person. The event includes scheduled activities, delegate pack, resources and lunch. However it does not include travel or any accommodation you may require. Limited places are available – please book early to avoid disappointment!

When & where is it?

Monday 22 February 2010 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP. Tel. 0121 245 2000.

Bursaries

A limited number of bursaries for travel are available. Please contact the NAYT office for details.

Accessibility

Please contact NAYT if you would like this information in another format, eg. large print. NAYT will make every attempt to accommodate all delegates comfortably. Please let us know when booking if you have any specific requirements.

How do I book?

Click here to the booking form and send it to the NAYT office with your deposit.

LYT Job Opportunity – Designer

Lewisham Youth Theatre (LYT) is looking for a highly motivated, creative designer to design, make and/or source the set and costumes for our senior youth theatre production of Lorca’s Blood Wedding on the 15 and 16 April 2010.

The production will be staged in the Broadway Theatre Studio.

The designer should be available for scheduled design and production meetings through March (dates and times to be confirmed in consultation) and then full time from the 29 March to 1 April, and for production week 10 to the 17 April.

The designer will work with the directors, theatre technicians and volunteers as part of the creative team and report to the artistic directors.

Background
LYT have been working with young people in the borough of Lewisham since 1987 and have been resident at the Broadway Theatre in Catford for the past 6 years. LYT create theatre projects for and with young people aged 3 to 21. Projects are free to the young people that take part. The aim is to give members as near to a professional experience as possible.

Person Specification
Applicants should have:
• Proven experience of designing and making set and costume for theatrical performances.
• An ability to work as part of a creative team
• An ability to supervise and work with a small team of volunteers
• An enthusiasm and ambition for theatre arts and experience of working with young people would be preferable.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter detailing why you would be suitable for this position (contact details below).

For full information email Sarah at info@lewishamyouththeatre.com or call 020 8690 3428. Fee dependant on experience.
Full CRB required.

Closing date: 26 February 2010.

Can you make The Cut?

Are you a budding actress or actor? BBC Switch is looking for 2 lucky people to join the cast of The Cut and star in the second series on BBC Two.

Yes, you read that right, they are looking for 1 male and 1 female, aged between 16 – 21, who are available to film FULL-TIME in London between April and July 2010.

Register below for one of their open casting auditions, which are taking place four UK cites from 8 February. If you don’t register, they will not be able to see you on the day.

If you can’t make any of the auditions then don’t fear, you can audition online too! Just download the script, film your audition, go online on 8 February to upload it (Videos no more than 50mb). Closing date for online auditions is 16th February.

Don’t forget to read the Terms and Conditions and FYI, all personal information that you give or footage that you upload will be for the BBc’s eyes only – it won’t appear anywhere online.

OK, read? Take a deep breath and…GO!

For full details visit bbc.co.uk/switch/thecut/join-the-cast.shtml.

DramaFest: Celebrating the best of Youth Theatre in your area.

12 – 20 years of age? Want to Act? Dance? Sing? Direct? – Get Down to Ards Arts Centre

Festival: The Ulster Association of Youth Drama (UAYD) and Ards Arts are looking for Youth Groups, Performers, Teachers, Theatre Companies and Drama Classes to take part in DramaFest.

DramaFest, UAYD’s fun-packed travelling road-show is a weekend festival full of classes, workshops, performances and master-classes.

Workshops: Will include Musical Theatre, Bollywood, Directing, Script-work and Shakespeare. You will get the chance to work with Directors, Musical Directors and Choreographers direct from London and the West-End.

Groups: If you are a group and want to bring a performance, we will also provide you with a professional Director to come to your venue and deliver a performance skills workshop and help you develop your piece. Pieces should be about 30 minutes in length and can be a work in progress, something you have performed before, an exam practical or something brand new.

Individuals: DramaFest isn’t just about groups. We are looking for undiscovered talent in your area. If you have a burning ambition to be a performer and don’t have access to Drama or Youth Theatre in your school or your area, then come along. If you are an individual who wants to bring a solo performance, or you just want to take part in workshops and meet like-minded ‘drama-folk’ then we want to hear from you!

Teachers: This year we are also launching our Teachers’ Forum, which is a workshop session specifically aimed at Drama Teachers and Youth Theatre Directors. We think it important to provide a platform for you to improve your skills and meet with your colleagues from across the sector.

When: 19th and 20th March 2010
Where: Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards.
Fee; Individuals: £5 per workshop or £15 for entire weekend. Groups of 9 or more: £120 for entire weekend.
How to book: Contact UAYD for a Registration Form and details on all our 2010 DramaFest & Youth Theatre Events. Telephone: 028 9250 9520. Email: uayd@ukonline.co.uk. Book Early to avoid Disappointment

Young Writing Course

RoguePlay Theatre is offering 15 – 25 year olds the opportunity to take part in an eight week course for young creative writers with an extra two weeks (making 10 weeks in total) to rehearse and perform your piece of writing.

The course covers all aspects of the creative writing process and culminates in a public performance of your writing with professional actors. The course is lead by Kim Charnock the artistic director of RoguePlay. As well as tutored time, there will be guest tutors. The total cost for the eight week course is £120. Places are limited which ensures the course tutor is able to give each student a significant amount of one-to-one time and individual script development.

For further information please contact RoguePlay Theatre on 0121 224 7545 or info@rogueplay.co.uk.strong>

Raising the Game South East

Saturday 20 March 2010: 10.00am to 6.00pm – £20

Working in partnership with the National Association of Youth Theatres’ Raising the Game initiative, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre invite Youth Theatre leaders from across the South East to join us for a day of training, workshops, and networking. This event will feature exciting training opportunities led by professional practitioners, as well as a chance to strengthen relationships with Youth Theatres from across the region.

Participants will be able to choose from a variety of workshops including:

Stage Combat with Fight Director Paul Benzing.

Radio Play Techniques with Playwright and Broadcaster Simon Brett.

Ensemble Singing with Musical Theatre Director Jenny Gould.

Puppeteering with Sarah Wright (Little Angel Theatre)

Story-telling with Complicité

Starting points for devising with Georgina Lamb (currently Movement Director for Rupert Goold’s Romeo & Juliet at the RSC)

Forum Theatre with West Sussex County Youth Theatre – Year out Company

This event is limited to 100 participants. Attendees need to be registered with NAYT.

For further information contact Dale Rooks, Youth Theatre Director, Chichester Festival Theatre by email dale.rooks@cft.org.uk, sam.maynard@cft.org.uk or on 01243 784437.

Arts Award and arts organisations contribution

Arts Council England has commissioned some research into arts organisation’s engagement with the Arts Award. They would like to reflect as many views as possible to create an accurate picture. If you would like to fill your opinions please complete the questionnaire by Friday 12 February; smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=17648kltgl

Arts Council England would greatly welcome views from those of you who do not run the award, equally to those who do or have done.

There are also focus groups being held across the country, please see dates below; smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=17771htifq

Manchester: Monday 15 February 2-4pm
London: Thursday 18 February 2-4pm
Birmingham: Friday 26 February 2-4pm

If you are unable to attend, please contact Anne Gallacher to arrange a telephone interview.

Arts Award is the key delivery mechanism for Arts Council England in achieving its strategy for children and young people. Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification which supports young people to develop as artists and arts leaders, and is run through collaboration between the Arts Council and Trinity Guildhall. More information at artsaward.org.uk.

Project @ Theatre Royal Stratford East

The Young Actors Company 2010 are looking for seven aspiring performers, an Assistant Stage Manager and three Workshop leaders that will together work with professional writers & directors from Theatre Royal Stratford East to create and perform a new play that tell London stories that are rarely heard.

Audition will be held on the 1st and 2nd March 2010.
To book your audition place please contact Jan: 020 8279 1107, jsharkeydodds@stratfordeast.com

Very important for this project you need to be available from March 15th – 22nd June (Mondays and Tuesdays), 24th June – 6th August (Monday-Fridays) be aged 16-24 yrs and live in London.

You will receive a daily allowance to cover travel & lunch costs.

It’s a big commitment, but will provide you with a unique experience to tour a new play to local schools and perform at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Past members are now at Drama College or working professionally. Give yourself that break.

The deadline to apply to participate in the 2010 festival has been extended for one more week!

The final deadline will now be the 7 February 2010.

After the launch year in 2009 the International Youth Arts Festival will be back in July 2010 with an even bigger programme showcasing the highest quality youth arts. This years programme will showcase the very best in youth theatre, dance, music, visual arts, circus, mixed media, carnival, film and a variety of other art forms from around the world. The festival is created and produced by young people, giving young people opportunities not only as performers, but as event managers, producers, creators and innovators.

The festival is currently searching for the highest quality youth arts work to fit into it’s programme for 2010.

Guidelines and Application forms are available at iyafestival.org.uk.

Applications are open to any art form involving young people (0yrs – 26yrs). These may involve young people as performers, creators and artists or as producers and event managers. IYAF is also happy to receive applications for adult work which is specifically targeted at young people.

Co-operative Film Festival 2010 – Call For Entries

Call for entries 2010

Each year The Co-operative gives young people aged 19 and under the chance to have their short films shown on the big screen at the prestigious The Co-operative Film Festival, formerly known as Co-operative Young Film-Makers.

This is a unique opportunity to see your work and that of others, in the cinema of a landmark national venue, the National Media Museum in Bradford.

Buzz with pride as you walk the red carpet. Enjoy the applause from the audience as they watch your film. Receive feedback and advice on film making from industry professionals. Take part in creative and inspirational workshops and masterclasses. Learn new skills, try equipment, network and swap ideas.

Visit www.co-operative.coop/filmfestival to download the call for entries postcard and an application form and full entry details.

Entry deadline is 28 May 2010

The Co-operative Film Festival takes place 7-8 October 2010

Any questions? Please contact 0161 246 3049 or email.

BYT Director

The Broadway, Barking is looking for experienced theatre directors/ theatre makers to work with their youth theatre (ages 11-19) from 23 February-July 17 2010 and onwards. Each cycle lasts 6 months and culminates in production.

The total fee attached to the post is £4,810.

For a job description and person specifications please contact jeremy.woodhouse@thebroadwaybarking.com or telephone 02085075601

Deadline for submission of applications is 5 February @ 5pm and interviews will be held in the week of 8 February 2010.

If you would like to discuss the position further please contact Education and Community Manager Shabnam Shabazi on 0777 933 0434 or email.