LAUNCHPAD YOUR THEATRE CAREER INTO 2022 AND BEYOND!
** Deadline extended to Monday 11 July 2022 **
Are you a young, aspiring creative, aged 18-25, interested in a career in performing arts? Want to raise your game and learn the nuts and bolts of the theatre industry?
Launchpad is an exciting new programme aimed at creatives aged 18 – 25, interested in developing a career in theatre and performing arts.
Starting in September, Launchpad will run for twelve weeks. Trainees will meet weekly. Sessions will be led by professional practitioners. Workshops and performance devising sessions will cover a range of topics from writing, acting and directing to music-making, movement and production. The programme will culminate in a co-created, showcase theatre piece.
AT A GLANCE
- 15 weekly sessions 10am – 4pm on a Monday. Morning sessions will be a professional development workshop. Afternoon sessions will focus on devising a new performance piece.
- Expenses (travel and lunch) will be covered by Theatre Orchard.
- Trainees will produce a co-created showcase performance piece that will be presented to the public in a professional setting in December 2022
- Free opportunities to see shows programmed by Theatre Orchard
Who’s it for?
If you’re aged 18 – 25 and interested in developing a career in the performing arts, this opportunity is for you. You don’t need any experience or existing skills to take part.
We’re looking for people eager to learn, excited to collaborate with others and with enthusiasm, passion and potential.
You will be expected to be committed to the programme and work as part of a team.
We are particularly keen to encourage those who are currently not in education, employment or training or are from a background that is currently underrepresented in the cultural sector (for example if you are from a group that might experience racism, if you did not go to university or received free school meals as a child, or if you have a disability)
How to apply?
Please send us a written statement (no more than 2 sides of A4), video or audio file including the following information:
- Why you want to join the programme?
- What you would like to get out of the programme?
- What do you find exciting about making creative work?
Please make sure you include your name, email address and a phone number we can contact you on. If you have any access needs, we invite you to include them alongside your application in a format that works for you.
Please also complete and return our Equal Opportunities form
Please send videos or audio files using WeTransfer if possible. Quality of filming has no impact on the application, just use a smart phone or webcam.
Applications should be sent to engage@theatreorchard.org.uk with the subject LAUNCHPAD APPLICATION
If you would like to find out more about the programme or would like support in making an application you can get in touch with Angela, engage@theatreorchard.org.uk
Application deadline: Monday 11 July by 5pm.
What happens next?
We will contact everyone that makes and enquiry or expresses an interest.
All applicants will be invited to an open workshop session on Monday 18 July.
The Theatre Orchard team will review all applications. Participants will be chosen based on the information provided in their applications. We aim to offer a place to everyone that applies. If we have a particularly high volume of applications, then we may invite people to meet us for a conversation in order to help us make a decision.
What is the commitment?
15 workshops that will run from 10am – 4pm between September 2022 and December 2022. These will take place on the same day and time each week at an accessible venue in central Weston (tbc).
We recognise the commitment and contribution you will be making to the programme and can cover modest expenses – travel and lunch.
What will the programme be like?
Trainees will meet weekly. Morning sessions will be professional development workshop. The afternoon session will focus on devising a new performance piece. Sessions will be a relaxed and fun environment. There will be plenty of breaks and time for reflection as a group and individually on learning. We will check in at the start of each session to make sure that any specific needs on the day can be accommodated as best as possible.
The programme will be led by experienced professionals Angela Athay-Hunt and Casey Lloyd.
This programme has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
