Youth Theatre News

Building Schools for the Future: An opportunity for the arts

Since the introduction of ‘Every Child Matters’ the majority of primary and secondary schools in England have begun to deliver a wide range of new and extended services beyond the normal school day. At the same time, there has been a wealth of new curriculum developments including, most recently, an increased emphasis on ‘personalised learning’ and a new offer for 14-19 year olds including the new Creative and Media Diplomas.

To deliver this the Government is implementing Building Schools for the Future (BSF), the largest public sector investment programme for 50 years. BSF will see 3,500 secondary schools in England rebuilt, renewed or remodelled by 2020. The programme involves significant investment - in the region of £40 billion will have been invested by the close of the programme. The average cost of a new BSF school is approximately £12 million. In many education authorities there may be 12 or more BSF schools. Therefore, if only 10% of the total BSF spend in that one authority were spent on arts facilities, it would still amount a significant capital investment in the arts sector.

BSF is also about making school resources accessible and available to the community as a whole, providing a wealth of opportunities for the arts sector. Many schools will include professional standard performance spaces, rehearsal spaces, recording facilities and art, design and production facilities – all of which could be available for community use.

The increase in performance spaces could revolutionise performers’ and artists’ abilities to generate and sustain new audiences in venues that are local, accessible and familiar. Arts organisations will be able to develop more and better activities for children, young people and the community. New models and relationships could develop (similar to sport & leisure or health & childcare) whereby arts organisations such as theatre companies, orchestras, carnival bands, music education services for e.g. could be permanently co-located on the same site.

Currrently there are 70 local authorities actively engaged in the programme but, given the time it takes to design and build a new school only about 30 new schools have been opened so far. Therefore, most local authorities are still involved the planning stages. The funding is allocated to local authorities who are responsible for developing a ‘vision’ of what their schools need to provide to meet the demands of the future for their young people and their communities. This means thinking creatively about what schools should look like and what they should provide. This ‘vision’ is then set out in the ‘Strategy for Change’ document each local authority must submit to the DCSF for approval before the detailed design stage can begin. It is therefore important for local arts groups to be involved (or at least consulted) in the development of this ‘vision’.

The programme is managed on behalf of the DCSF by Partnerships for Schools (PfS), a new organisation set up to support and advise local authorities through the process, from planning their vision through to procurement and on into operational schools. PfS guidance recommends that each local authority establish an arts & culture ‘Stakeholder Group’ including local authority arts & leisure officers, Heads of Specialist Schools, local arts organisations and heritage groups, for example. The Stakeholder Groups should feed into the main BSF Project Board which is generally comprised of senior officers and elected members. The aim of the Stakeholder Groups is to ensure that a strategic vision for arts and culture is included in the overall Strategy for Change plan. Each individual school is also required to set out their own vision based on factors such as their specialist status and the needs of the local community. Both Stakeholder Groups and individual schools are key points of influence in the programme and, if you wish to become involved in, or think you can benefit from, Building Schools for the Future, it is advisable to contact your local authority or your local school. You can search the Partnerships For Schools website to see what stage your local authority is at and (if known) what local schools are included in the programme. It will also provide contact details for the nominated BSF Project Lead in each local authority.

It is important to consider how it can be used to achieve your organisation’s ambitions to grow and nurture arts and cultural spaces, activity and talent in your local area. If you think there is scope to support schools in your area to develop their spaces using your expertise and ideas, then contact your local authority as soon as possible.

TheatreCraft 2008: The Alternative Careers Fair

Aged 17-25? Always dreamed of a career in theatre, but don’t know where to start? Working in theatre isn’t all about appearing on the stage. Maybe you want to be an administrator, director, designer, make-up artist, producer, costume maker or technician? Or just want to find out what theatre is all about? TheatreCraft 2008 explores the many skills involved in staging a production through workshops, talks, demonstrations and displays from leading theatre practitioners and training providers.

You’ll gain access to theatre and industry professionals and get a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes. It’s informal, fun and interactive and packed with information and ideas. Come and find out what it takes to build a creative career in theatre.

You can choose to either book for a morning (10am - 1pm) or afternoon (1pm - 4.30pm) session. Please register your contact details and indicate your choice. You’ll then receive information to enable you to book activities for that session.

The range of workshops available will be repeated for both morning and afternoon slots. Once registered, you can choose from the following options:

Set design, stage management, directing, writing, lighting, producing, administration, marketing, costume, wigs & make-up, props and casting.

Only limited spaces are available. To book click here.

Interviewees required to help make Channel 4 film

Lime Pictures is looking to meet with parents, youth workers and social workers, teachers and young people to discuss the causes and consequences of truancy and alternatives to in-school education for a new Channel 4 drama by Melvin Burgess. The vision for the drama is an honest snapshot of teen life today, taking in the aspirations close to young peoples’ hearts, and the way these are both moulded and threatened by exam pressure, parental pressure and peer pressure.

Lime Pictures is not looking to use any one particular case or character profile, but rather to gain a general overview of the issues involved, in order to inform Melvin’s script writing and ensure the drama is a true to life as possible.

Melvin’s first published book, “The Cry of the Wolf” (1990), was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, but it was for his controversial teenage novel, “Junk” (1996) that he gained wider recognition. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, it is an honest account of teenage homelessness and heroin addiction on the streets of Bristol, and has been adapted for television. In 2007, it was shortlisted for the Carnegie of Carnegies. “Bloodtide” (1999) was joint winner of the Lancashire County Library Children’s Book of the Year Award, and he also wrote the novelisation of “Billy Elliot”. Melvin gives regular talks to schools and colleges about his work, which is widely taught at GCSE and A Level. Click here for more information on his novels and the work he does with young people.

To get involved contact Ciaran Varley at Lime Pictures on 0791 2607 933 or email cmresearch@limepictures.com

Everyman auditions

The Everyman Playhouse Liverpool is holding auditions for the ensemble of young people in Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s new play “Proper Clever” on 10 September. If you are interested call 0151 706 9110 to arrange an audition (open to young people aged 16-22).

Comedy workshops for young people

Laughter is definitely on the agenda as the hugely popular St.Helens Comedy Festival returns from 17-28 September 2008. The Borough will be full of fun and hilarity with a programme of new and established comedy talent. From stand up comedy shows to mystery bus tours, there’s humour to suit all tastes. As part of the festival, on 25 September sees the “Stand Out Showcase”: Come along and witness the comedy stars of tomorrow in this showcase of the latest St Helens Stand Out Project.
Under the tutoring of professional comedians from The Comedy Trust, young people (14-18 years) have been learning the craft of stand up comedy to perform, especially for you. If you wish to take part please call Sam on 0870 443 0955.

Writing for Younger Audiences: A European Perspective

Writing Theatre for Younger Audiences: A European Perspective is a course running at Totleigh Barton Arvon Centre in Devon from 24-29 November 2007. It’s a brilliant development opportunity for emerging and up-and-coming playwrights making work for children and young adults, offered at around half the normal Arvon course price to make it widely accessible. This course will have an international flavour and draw on best European practice by seeking to uncover what is at the heart of the best work, look for its roots and trace the soul journey of the Child at its centre. The focus will be on developing and deepening your own writing practice through workshops, one-to-one tutorials, readings, work ‘on the floor’ and private writing time. The course will be taught by two internationally acclaimed theatre-makers with first-hand experience of Dutch & Flemish children’s theatre who are perfectly placed to draw on their work both at home and abroad. This course is aimed at emerging and established playwrights making work for young audiences (not suitable for complete beginners). Click here for more information on the Arvon Foundation

Nick Hennessey performances

Those who enjoyed Nick Hennessey’s work at this year’s Big Youth Theatre Festival might be interested in his forthcoming gigs: The newest show on the list is “The Middle Yard”, the sequel to “The Twisting Field” that toured in 2006/07. To find out more go to www.nickhennessey.co.uk or www.adversecamber.org/middleyard.

For those of you with easy access to the Netherlands Nick will be in Zwolle and then the Amsterdam Storytelling Festival in mid October.

The Golden Door Project

Thanks to funding from Sutton’s Youth Opportunity Fund, SAVVY Theatre Company will be working with local teenagers on a production of “The Golden Door” by David Ashton. This show is a dark mythical tale with themes of loss, betrayal, friendship and bravery that provides a unique opportunity for the group to explore theatrical skills such as music-making, puppetry, stage combat and physical theatre. In preparation for their performance, participants will also be seeing the West End production of “Stomp” during the October half-term and negotiations are currently underway to give those involved the opportunity to have a follow-up workshop with the cast. The performance will take place on Saturday, 29 November 2008 at the Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton, Surrey. For tickets please call: 0208-770 6990.

The SAVVY Young Company is now recruiting for 2009. Based in the Sutton-Wallington-Croydon areas of Surrey, SAVVY is dedicated to quality personal tuition. Due to this, the young company has no more than 15 members at any one time. There is no audition process, although enthusiasm and commitment are essential. If you are interested in coming along to a free ‘taster session’ or would like any further information on SAVVY, please email to Sheree Vickers.

In the Flesh 08 - call for work

The Barbican Theatre’s In the Flesh project is a weekend of experiments in all forms of live performance. They are currently looking for performance pieces from young artists. For more information and to request a submission form please contact Zuzana on 01752 267131 or email intheflesh@barbicantheatre.co.uk. Closing date for applications: Friday 10 October 2008.

Youth Theatre Director, Air in G (Arts in Rural Glos)

Found in the Forest Youth Theatre (part of Arts in Rural Gloucestershire) is seeking a dedicated Youth Theatre professional to join the AIR in G team to continue the development of the youth theatre in the Forest of Dean. The post holder will be responsible for Youth Theatre sessions in consultation with young people, delivering exciting and creative workshops. They will also need to be prepared to act as an advocate for Youth Theatre throughout the District, County and nationally. This post is part time (2 days per week), one of these days taking place on Sunday’s running youth theatre sessions. The post is on a self-employed basis. Applicants should have a minimum of two years experience in a relevant post. Please apply in writing enclosing a current C.V. Applications deadline: Fri 3 Oct 2008. Email admin@airing.co.uk.