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WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THEATRE AND THE PERFORMING ARTS IN 2012 AND BEYOND?

London 2012 Festival, Improbable and Curve invite you to the grand opening of the

The Devoted & Disgruntled 2012 Roadshow: 21 June & 22 June 2012

At a crucial time for theatre and the performing arts in the UK, the Devoted & Disgruntled Roadshow seeks to engage people in a nationwide conversation.  Curve takes great pleasure in inviting you to our unique theatre to kick start a ground-breaking nationwide conversation that could reshape the theatre landscape.

Apprenticeship at Writing East MIdlands

WE RECOMMEND………(highly!)

We recommend this: http://www.belgrade.co.uk/event/we-love-you-city a fantastic new play by Nick Walker about Coventry City football club. We saw it this time last year and LOVED IT!

It opens next week…….and you’ll love it whether you like football or not. We guarantee it!

Kate Chapman

Theatre Writing Partnership

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

kate@theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 

- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 

- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 

For more info go to www.theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

New opportunities

Storytelling on Stage: A Masterclass with Amanda Whittington at the Wordsmith Festival, Oldham

STORYTELLING ON STAGE explores ways to create the play only you can write, with a particular focus on how story springs from character. Through group discussion and practical exercises, the workshop helps you to find your story, identify its world and develop three-dimensional characters which speak in your individual voice. Aimed at writers with some experience, this professional master class delivered by Amanda Whittington will hone skills you already have and develop your approach to writing for the stage.  For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/events/amanda-whittington-masterclass-at-the-wordsmith-festival/

Digital Edge: Make a piece through new media

CALL FOR PROPOSALS. How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies? How does audience participation influence and shape the story? How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space? North West Playwrights, in partnership with Edge Hill University, are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence. For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/make-a-piece-through-new-media/

Scriptwriting in Practise

With a specially recruited company of professional actors, offered by the Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University and North West Playwrights, this new course is for early-career scriptwriters or graduates with scriptwriting experience.
You will be given the opportunity to develop an original 45 minute play with:

• a full day’s workshop on your pitch
• the support of a writing tutor for two drafts of your play
• a week of workshopping with a professional acting company and professional theatre director

And much more! For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/scriptwriting-in-practise/

Storytelling on Stage: A Masterclass with Amanda Whittington at the Wordsmith Festival, Oldham

STORYTELLING ON STAGE explores ways to create the play only you can write, with a particular focus on how story springs from character. Through group discussion and practical exercises, the workshop helps you to find your story, identify its world and develop three-dimensional characters which speak in your individual voice. Aimed at writers with some experience, this professional master class delivered by Amanda Whittington will hone skills you already have and develop your approach to writing for the stage.  For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/events/amanda-whittington-masterclass-at-the-wordsmith-festival/

Digital Edge: Make a piece through new media

CALL FOR PROPOSALS. How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies? How does audience participation influence and shape the story? How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space? North West Playwrights, in partnership with Edge Hill University, are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence. For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/make-a-piece-through-new-media/

Scriptwriting in Practise

With a specially recruited company of professional actors, offered by the Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University and North West Playwrights, this new course is for early-career scriptwriters or graduates with scriptwriting experience.
You will be given the opportunity to develop an original 45 minute play with:

• a full day’s workshop on your pitch
• the support of a writing tutor for two drafts of your play
• a week of workshopping with a professional acting company and professional theatre director

And much more! For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/scriptwriting-in-practise/

Storytelling on Stage: A Masterclass with Amanda Whittington at the Wordsmith Festival, Oldham

STORYTELLING ON STAGE explores ways to create the play only you can write, with a particular focus on how story springs from character. Through group discussion and practical exercises, the workshop helps you to find your story, identify its world and develop three-dimensional characters which speak in your individual voice. Aimed at writers with some experience, this professional master class delivered by Amanda Whittington will hone skills you already have and develop your approach to writing for the stage.  For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/events/amanda-whittington-masterclass-at-the-wordsmith-festival/

Digital Edge: Make a piece through new media

CALL FOR PROPOSALS. How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies? How does audience participation influence and shape the story? How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space? North West Playwrights, in partnership with Edge Hill University, are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence. For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/make-a-piece-through-new-media/

Scriptwriting in Practise

With a specially recruited company of professional actors, offered by the Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University and North West Playwrights, this new course is for early-career scriptwriters or graduates with scriptwriting experience.
You will be given the opportunity to develop an original 45 minute play with:

• a full day’s workshop on your pitch
• the support of a writing tutor for two drafts of your play
• a week of workshopping with a professional acting company and professional theatre director

And much more! For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/scriptwriting-in-practise/

Workshops, courses and more!

Storytelling on Stage: A Masterclass with Amanda Whittington at the Wordsmith Festival, Oldham

STORYTELLING ON STAGE explores ways to create the play only you can write, with a particular focus on how story springs from character. Through group discussion and practical exercises, the workshop helps you to find your story, identify its world and develop three-dimensional characters which speak in your individual voice. Aimed at writers with some experience, this professional master class delivered by Amanda Whittington will hone skills you already have and develop your approach to writing for the stage.  For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/events/amanda-whittington-masterclass-at-the-wordsmith-festival/

Digital Edge: Make a piece through new media

CALL FOR PROPOSALS. How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies? How does audience participation influence and shape the story? How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space? North West Playwrights, in partnership with Edge Hill University, are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence. For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/make-a-piece-through-new-media/

Scriptwriting in Practise

With a specially recruited company of professional actors, offered by the Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University and North West Playwrights, this new course is for early-career scriptwriters or graduates with scriptwriting experience.
You will be given the opportunity to develop an original 45 minute play with:

• a full day’s workshop on your pitch
• the support of a writing tutor for two drafts of your play
• a week of workshopping with a professional acting company and professional theatre director

And much more! For more information and how to apply, please go to:

http://www.newplaysnw.co.uk/news/scriptwriting-in-practise/

DIGITAL EDGE

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies?

How does audience participation influence and shape the story?

How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space?

We are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence, and which explore how social media can support creative interaction between practitioners, and between practitioners and audiences.

The Brief

Edge Hill University, North West Playwrights and Capital Theatre Festival 2012 invite proposals from writers and theatre practitioners for projects which explore the relationships between virtual and live spaces.

We encourage pitches for dramas which develop narratives over multiple platforms.

Your project must culminate in a live performance of approximately 30 minutes duration, to be shown at The Rose Theatre in autumn 2012.

The Process

Project proposals should be no more than 800 words in length and submitted online at www.edgehill.ac.uk/rosetheatre by Tuesday 1 May.

Up to 6 proposals will be selected and the shortlisted artists will be invited to pitch their ideas at Capital Theatre Festival at mac birmingham on Thursday 24 May before a panel of judges and a live audience. Support for travel costs will be available.

Candidates are encouraged to be as imaginative as possible in approaching the pitch – to explore innovative ways of creating an entertaining theatrical experience for the audience.

Up to two proposals will be selected, and will receive practical, dramaturgical and financial support to be developed towards a live showing at a special event at the Rose Theatre, Edge Hill, in Autumn 2012.

Support to include:

Space to work at Edge Hill

Dramaturgy/mentoring provided by NWP and Edge Hill staff

Travel costs

Accommodation

Production costs – to be agreed.

If you would like further clarification, or an informal discussion about the project, please contatct Chris Bridgman at North West Playwrights – newplaysnw@hotmail.com or 0161 237 1978.

Further Reading

For ideas, provocations and previous work in this area, see:

http://www.danielbye.co.uk/3/post/2011/01/twitter-a-challenge-to-theatres.html#comments

http://disappearances.co.uk/the-team/

http://www.suchtweetsorrow.com/about/

http://thirdangeluk.blogspot.com/2011/03/notes-on-twitterbug.html

Kate Chapman

Theatre Writing Partnership

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

kate@theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 

- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 

- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 

For more info go to www.theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

3 tickets left for workshop TONIGHT

There are 3 places left for Sarah Dickenson’s workshop for theatre writers at 6pm TONIGHT at Mansfield Palace Theatre. It costs just £5 and lasts until 8.30pm. Sarah is Senior Reader at Soho Theatre and Writer’s Centre in London. Call Mansfield Palace to grab the last few places!

Kate Chapman

Theatre Writing Partnership

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

kate@theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 

- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 

- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 

For more info go to www.theatrewritingpartnership.org.uk

A great opportunity for theatre artists and companies at Oval House Theatre!

COUNTER CULTURE COMMISSIONS

Anti-heroes and underdogs.
Stories told sideways.
The things under the bed.
Theatre for people with something to say.
New work for new audiences.

COUNTER CULTURE COMMISSIONS

Sometime in 2013, Ovalhouse will present a season called counter-culture.

We don’t know what will be in it, or what form it will take, or even quite what counter-culture means.

We have a list of questions and we want to start thinking about them. We want to work with three artists/ companies on seed commissions, which may continue growing into the counter-culture season.

What we’re thinking about:

Does counter-culture exist?
Who gets to be counter-cultural?
What does counter-culture mean?
What does counter-culture look like?
Can counter-culture ever be defined positively, on its own terms? Is counter-culture protest or alternative?
How can counter-culture take place in a society which prizes itself on inclusivity?
When does counter-culture become too ugly/ violent/ intolerant to contemplate?
How is counter-culture different to sub-culture to fringe culture?
How long can counter-culture stay counter-cultural before it is absorbed into the mainstream?
Who wants to be counter-cultural?
What use is counter-cultural navel-gazing in a time of economic recession/ unarmed protesters being killed in Syria/ seemingly uncontrollable climate change?
What relationship is there between counter-cultural performance and political performance?
How would an audience have a counter-cultural experience?
Is there any point in counter-cultural performance or are we preaching to the converted?
Can counter-culture ever take place in a theatre funded by the government?

We want artists/ companies:

• who want to spend 2 weeks developing a new piece of work before showing it to an audience, as a work-in-progress

• whose work only works in a live environment

•  who are intrigued or puzzled or irritated by the questions above

You get
:

• 1 week in a rehearsal room

• 1 week in a fully equipped performance space

•  3 public performances (Thurs – Sat of 2nd week)

• 10 hrs tech support

• 60% box office takings (tickets £5)

•  inclusion in Ovalhouse brochure (10,000 copies)

• admin space and marketing support

•  £1000 seed commission

Dates:
SLOT 1:   7 – 19 May 2012
SLOT 2:  14 – 26 May 2012
SLOT 3:  21 May – 2 June 2012

To apply:
Please send us answers to the following questions:
Who are you? (100 words)
What do you want to work on? (500 words)
What will it be like for an audience? (200 words)
Why do you want to make this piece? (100 words)
Tell us 3 influences on your work/ this piece (150 words)

Additionally, you can supply 1 A4 page with images/ links to your work.

Please indicate your availability for the 3 slots.

Please send your application to programming@ovalhouse.com
Deadline: Thursday 29th March 2012 at 12 noon.

We will be meeting applicants shortlisted for interview on 3rd April.