Youth Theatre News

Big Youth Theatre Festival 2008 timetable and programme now available to download.

You can find them on the NAYT website at www.nayt.org.org.uk/bytf.

Angina Monologues

SPARE TYRE Presents a HOTPOTS Production

THURSDAY 3RD JULY 2.30pm & 7pm, FRIDAY 4TH JULY 2.30pm & 7pm
TICKETS £5/£3

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH HALL Camden Square • London NW1 9NH (corner of Cantelowes Road)

It is 2008, and an old Music Hall is on its last legs, dilapidated and close to being demolished for luxury apartments. This once grand venue hosted the Four Handed Three Person Juggling Act, Tight Rope Theodora, Great Ronaldo the Magician and female impersonator the Chairman.

Bad acts, waning audiences, the threat of increased rent and closure. Can this Music Hall troupe survive?

Angina Monologues is the latest show from the HotPots, Spare Tyre’s
ever popular ensemble of actors aged over 60. The HotPots, present
an all singing, all dancing hilarious tale of spirit and community.

TO BOOK TICKETS FOR ANY PERFORMANCE Call Spare Tyre on 020 7419 7007 or email

‘A fantastic show…Dame Edna but better’

Comments are from the last HotPots show Alice, December 2007

‘All power to the oldies’

Masterclass – Opening Doors

Masterclass – Opening Doors
Opening Doors are events aimed at people thinking about embarking on performance training and those who have completed training and are looking for further advice from leading theatre professionals. These events offer opportunities to discuss, discover and take part in uncovering the mysteries which surround auditioning, castings, putting on your own play and getting onto the right course.
The first 2 events in this season are specifically aimed at young people planning to go to Drama School to do an acting or musical theatre course:

Getting Into Drama School
Tue 1 Jul 1.30pm
Geoffrey Colman, Head of Acting at Central School of Speech and Drama will talk in depth about drama school, its context as a higher education option, what you can expect from an acting course and how the application process works. Geoff will then work with six pre-selected participants on their drama school audition pieces. This will be a fascinating opportunity to see what is expected from drama school audition panels.
More information is available if you click here.

Getting Into Musical Theatre
Fri 4 Jul 1.30pm
Gerry Tebbutt, Head of Musical Theatre at GSA will begin this session with a discussion about choosing to study musical theatre, what you could expect from a course and how to prepare for applying and auditioning. Gerry will then work with six pre-selected participants on their musical theatre audition songs. This will be a fascinating opportunity to see what is expected from audition panels for musical theatre courses.
More information is available if you click here.

All events take place at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London

SPEAK

Theatre Royal Stratford East Young Actors Company ‘08 present:

SPEAK

A Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford East and Lift co-commission

Using spoken word, movement, personal storytelling and poetic revelation, SPEAK tells East London stories that need to be heard. Inspired by real people, real events and real places.

SPEAK will be presented as part of the LIFT festival in Stratford Park (13th, 14th, 16th and 18th June 2008) as well as at the Southbank Centre (29th June 2008) before returning for 2 performances at Theatre Royal Stratford East (2nd and 3rd July 2008)

For Tickets please call: 08444124317 or book online.

SPEAK is directed by Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Associate Director Dawn Reid and features the talents of young actors: Ishma Adams, Rhiannon Barker, Tendo Bukenya, Rose-Marie Christian, Monique Francois, Sannchia Gaston, Avita Jay, Thomas King, Joleigh Wynter and Simone Watson.

‘PAVING PARADISE’

A new play for young casts, by Richard Conlon

Performed for the first time by students on Lyme Regis’ Woodroffe School, directed by Anne Cruwys-Finnigan (with Laura Davenport & Tamsin Cook)

Performances in The Thornton Pearn Studio on Thursday 10th & Friday 11th July at 6.30pm.

Please join the young performers of Woodroffe School (who have worked on this piece in extra-curricular time), as they premiere this new play which has been developed by themselves and the playwright. The play explores broad environmental themes and tries to invent new myths to articulate this new experience.

The school is not charging for tickets and it would be great to think that some other youth theatre groups from the South-West might attend. There are only 200 seats available, if you would like to attend, call the school office on 01297 442232 to reserve spaces.

Scene Change

Be the change you wish to see
Drama schools are changing.
The profession is changing.
The rules are going to change.

There has never been a better time for young disabled people to be considering a career in the performing arts.
Drama Workshop Bumper Day
12 July 2008

To celebrate the success of this year’s Scene Change Project, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts is hosting a fun packed day of drama workshops. This event will give young people with and without physical and/or sensory impairments the chance to take part in an exciting integrated drama workshop which will include a variety of disciplines, such as:
* Singing

* Improvisation

* Creating a character

* Movement

* Mask work/Physical Theatre

If you have an interest in the performing arts and would like discover more or to register your place on the Scene Change Drama Bumper Day, Please contact Nicole Stoute.

Scene Change is a multi dimensional drama project being run throughout 2007/08 by Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and Graeae.
The project, for young aspiring actors with physical or sensory impairments focuses on the promotion and search for equality and talent, who are traditionally under-represented in the performing arts.
Scene Change is looking to redress this balance and create a better representation of disabled students at drama schools.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to follow their vocation, alas those less able in our society often do not have that opportunity. SceneChange is trying to redress the balance and they have my full support. As president of Mountview I am delighted that we are involved with Graeae theatre company in this initative” – Dame Judi Dench, 2006.

“As a writer and director my passion is in the truthful portrayal of our society, a society which is made up of many different people. In order to create an honest representation of the world we live in we must encourage every area of the performing arts industry to widen their reach and broaden their minds. I am delighted to offer my support to SceneChange in their promotion and search for equality and talent” – Mike Leigh, Writer and Director, 2007.

To download the registration form click here.

EDUCATION WORKER

THE LEMON TREE – £20,000 per annum

Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA), a charitable organisation operating His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and The Lemon Tree, is committed to an Education and Outreach Programme offering opportunities for Youth Theatre and for other community groups.

We are looking to recruit an experienced performing arts professional to support the Artistic Director, liaising with APA’s Education Manager, in developing a programme of activity. The successful candidate will have good experience within an arts education environment, particularly drama, and have knowledge of current arts education issues. In addition, the Education Worker will deliver high quality drama experiences and performances with young people and deliver training for project support workers. Working hours will include evenings and weekends – flexibility is therefore essential. This post requires an Enhanced Disclosure.

For a full job description and application form go online and click on the jobs link from the home page. Alternatively call Delia Bright, HR Assistant on 01224 337612 or by email.
Deadline for return of applications is Thursday 26 June 2008.

Theatre in The Park - Alice in Wonderland

Theatre in the Park returns for its fifth season in 2008 with an all-new outdoor production of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, Alice in Wonderland.

Performances take place in Liverpool (Allerton Tower, June 14 & 15); Knowsley (Stadt Moers Park, June 21 & 22); and for the first time, Halton (Wigg Island, June 28 & 29).

Produced and directed by Spike Theatre, the 40-strong cast for Alice in Wonderland is made up of both professional and first-time actors, who wind their way around the park as the performance unfolds. The project engages with volunteers from the Friends of the Parks, students and amateur actors to develop skills in performance and script/music development, as well as stage management and design. The script and music score are both original pieces developed by the whole company.

As the show is a ‘walkabout’ performance, the audience are encouraged to bring along a rug and picnic. Given the unpredictable nature of the British summer, suitable footwear, umbrellas and/or sun cream are also recommended.

All performances take place at 2pm & 7pm on Saturday, and 2pm & 6pm on Sunday.

For tickets and more information contact the 08 Place Box Office, Whitechapel (in person or telephone - 0151 233 2457: Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm). There will also be an onsite box office open from 1pm to 7pm on performance days. Tickets are priced at £7 adults, £5 concessions, £20 family ticket (two adults and two children).

British Sign Language interpretation by Cath Roughley at Saturday 7pm performances.

Theatre in the Park is a partnership project between Spike Theatre, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Liverpool Culture Company, Liverpool City Council and Halton Borough Council. It is also supported by Arts Council Northwest.

Careers in the Theatre Seminar & Workshop Day

AT THE THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE
WEDNESDAY 2nd JULY 2008
10am – 3pm
Join us for a day at the Theatre Royal as we explore the different types of careers available in the world of theatre.
Backstage tour, seminar and practical workshops with industry professionals in directing, drama, acting, set design and sound technology.
Cost £3.00 including a backstage tour on the set of Sleuth – the world’s greatest stage thriller and resource pack for each participant.
School groups or individuals welcome!

To book call Group Bookings on 08448 112 122 or email.

Chaperones needed for YMT: UK Theatre Projects

Are you:

Over 23, good humoured, warm and approachable, a good communicator, a team player, prepared for long hours, able to maintain discipline and ABOVE ALL have a genuine interest in young people and music theatre/performing arts?

You will be the key person to whom the young person looks for guidance, protection, clarification and support. As per the Children’s Act 1989, ‘the child’s welfare is paramount’ and you will accept a duty of care for all young people.

You need to be good-humoured, approachable and have a passion for working with young people.

You will be paid £300 per week, and YMT: UK will cover travel costs, accommodation and all meals.

The posts will be for a period of between one - three weeks over the period 21 July - 23 August; for individual project dates and locations please visit the website, where you can also find a job specification and application form.

Alternatively, for more information please email or call 0870 240 5057.