Young Company launched at Curve
Posted by Hunter on Wed, 28 Jul 2010.
This summer Curve are launching an exciting, new Young People’s Company for ages 12 – 26, including Arts Council England’s A Night Less Ordinary initiative to offer free theatre tickets to young people.
The Young Company at Curve will include:
Young Curve Productions – A young production company made up of performers, stage managers and technicians who will produce a piece of theatre to be performed on the stage at Curve. Building upon the success of HIS DARK MATERIALS, the first community production at Curve (July 2009), this company will be open to everyone aged 12-26. The first of these Young Curve Productions will be performed in July 2011.
Young Facilitators – A group of inspiring young people to deliver peer-lead workshops at Curve and out in schools and the community. These young facilitators will provide support to professional artists in the delivery of the Young Company programme and also support the produced and visiting work programmes at Curve, providing a more dynamic approach to audience development.
A Night Less Ordinary – Arts Council England’s initiative which enables under 26s to access free tickets to quality theatre. The scheme will include all Curve productions: HOT STUFF, TRANSLATIONS/MOLLY SWEENEY and THE KING AND I; the Curve co-production of Akram Khan’s VERTICAL ROAD; Curve’s collaboration with New Perspectives DOLLY and the visiting production of PUNK ROCK.
Monthly ‘drop in’ workshops – A regular programme of informal workshops for young individuals interested in the theatre-making process, with the aim of involving a greater number of young people in creative activity connected to the produced and visiting work programmes at Curve.
Young Marketing Forum – A group of marketing volunteers, aged 14-20, who will support the activity of the Communications Team to devise new and interesting ways to engage with young audiences.
“Young people are vital to the development of an exciting theatre and its artistic community. Following the fantastic response we’ve had to His Dark Materials and The Long Road projects, we are thrilled to launch the Young Company this autumn. The initiative will offer young people in Leicestershire and the East Midlands a range of opportunities to engage with Curve and get involved with what we do.” Adel Al-Salloum, Associate Director, Curve
“Our experience of being trained as facilitators on The Long Road gave us the skills and confidence to engage and educate other young people about the serious issues and themes that the play generated. The Young Company at Curve is going to be a fantastic way for the community to be involved creatively with theatre. There will be something for everyone; opportunities to act, write, be trained in delivering workshops as I was, or be involved in the technical and marketing sides of theatre." JK, Young Arts Facilitator on the Long Road
“Having studied Drama at De Monfort University, the Curve production of His Dark Materials provided me with a great stepping stone into the industry. The project was developed in a reassuring environment to suit those who had never performed on a professional stage before. During the project I was surrounded by the creative imaginations young people, under the guidance of theatre professionals. I think the Young Company will offer a fantastic, rare opportunity for young people to become involved with the theatre.” Lauren Sulley, played Lyra in His Dark Materials Part 1
Young people under the age of 26 are eligible to register interest in Curve’s Young Company, which will include the benefit of free tickets as part of A Night Less Ordinary, by calling the Ticket Office on 0116 242 3595 or in person at the Ticket Office at Curve or the Curve sales outlet at Highcross shopping centre.
For those interested in getting involved with the work at Curve who are older than 26, the EXPERIENCE CURVE programme offers a variety of opportunities to participate. Events range from building tours, to post-show discussions with acting companies and directors, to tailored workshops and master classes.
