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Theatre Critics To Teach On New Degree Module At Chichester University

Calling all wannabe theatre critics! Check out the University of Chichester’s unique new module on its BA Musical Theatre degree course.

The module, entitled Musical Theatre Critique and Arts Journalism, is the first of its kind in the UK. Designed to help develop your analytical skills by writing about plays and theatre productions in a constructive and instructive way, lectures will feature leading theatre critics giving their own take on the subject in a series of guest lectures at the university in West Sussex.

Mark Shenton is the associate editor of the theatre world’s bible The Stage magazine. He has backed the innovative scheme and will be appearing as one of the guest speakers on the course. According to Mr. Shenton, everyone can express their opinion about anything these days, through the use of social media and the internet. Because of this, journalists and critics who work in the theatre and arts sector have seen their role change a lot.

Read more about this new course in the link below:

Theatre Critics To Teach On New Degree Module At Chichester University

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Masterclass Launch ‘In Your Hands’ Campaign

Masterclass want you to write your passion/profession on your hand and upload it to Facebook/Twitter/Instagram using the hashtag #InYourHands

Right then. Here’s a Q&A with Josh Brown (Press and Marketing Manager at Masterclass and Theatre Royal Haymarket).
To kick things off I asked Josh some questions. Josh is good at talking about Masterclass’ place in the Theatre cosmos, and how the ‘industry’ works in 2016.

Here’s how the chat went.

Hello! What are you doing at the moment?

Well, it’s been pretty hectic. We’ve just launched our new In Your Hands campaign and have been redesigning all of our marketing material to fit in with the rebrand!

Please tell me a bit about the #InYourHands Campaign.

Creating career opportunities in theatre is challenging, but I think a far greater challenge is instilling the confidence and self-belief in young people to actually put themselves forward for such opportunities. In a nutshell, that’s exactly what Masterclass’ In Your Hands campaign aims to address. We want to empower emerging theatre makers and to foreground the diverse range of career routes available within the Arts.

HI YA! Josh Brown, ladies and gentlemen.

Whether you’re working as an Actor, Stage Manager, Journalist, Director, Technician, Producer, Reviewer, Marketer etc (the list is endless!), be proud of what you do and never shy away from an opportunity because you feel under qualified or intimidated by the sheer volume of other creatives out there. Instead, rest safely in the knowledge that everything you work to achieve, really is the future of our industry.

So basically you’ve rebranded Masterclass, launched a campaign and continue to schedule some brilliant schemes and opportunities for young people and it’s not even March?

Haha! Well the rebrand has been in the pipeline for about a year now and I think all of us knew we were going to hit the ground running for 2016! It’s a really exciting time to be involved with Masterclass. The whole team work incredibly hard to ensure that the programme can offer these unique opportunities to people aged 16 – 30. This year alone we’ve offered out 3 paid apprenticeships in Design, Directing and Stage Management to work on Breakfast at Tiffany’s and, as you say, we’re just launched a new campaign – It’s relentless! I love it.

Photo credit Alex Rumford

Do you feel that too much power in the industry is held by people with little to no taste in Theatre?

Well, I think that’s probably dependant on the definition of taste. There are some wonderfully original, thought-provoking pieces of theatre being created, particularly in fringe venues, and it’s just a case of shining a spotlight onto this work for a mainstream audience.  Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of those working in theatre today to empower and inspire emerging theatre makers of tomorrow. The future of our industry really is in their hands!

 And what else do you have coming up?

On Tuesday 9th Feb, we’ve got a Masterclass with Indhu Rubasingham, Artistic Director at the Tricycle Theatre, and she’ll focus on new writing, which should be really exciting! Then on 1st March we have Ruth Sheen coming in to work on characterisation and improvisation – again, another really exciting session to be involved with!

Indhu Rubasingham (above)

We also have some really big announcements and plans for later on in the year so make sure you keep an eye on our website across the next few weeks and sign up to our mailing list!

One thing is for sure, the future of Theatre is definitely safe in the hands of these people.

N.B. Please use a solvent free and non-toxic pen!

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Careers fairs: tried and tested | ArtsProfessional

theatre_craft_2.jpg

Is there more to careers fairs than free keyrings and Haribo? Careers fairs can be excellent or they can be unforgettably bad. Most are strikingly in between. But one organisation that is fuelling the industry with talent is Theatre Craft. It’s a well-established event, focused on offstage choices with a strong emphasis on training, apprenticeships and the essential ‘foot in the door’. It also happens to be one of the most interesting fairs.

If you are interested in a career in the arts, then careers fairs are a relaxed way of gaining insight. It is important not only to ‘experience’, but also to understand why the experience matters. All the world’s a classroom and events like this are about being in the room with other people and establishing yourself in a world you wish to explore.

Read more in my article about Career fairs at Careers fairs: tried and tested | ArtsProfessional

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Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015 – vlogs

Vlogs

  1.  Day 1 at Edinburgh Festival with journalist Mark Fisher (The Guardian)
  2. With Jake Orr ( A Younger Theatre)

3.  I caught up with Amit Lahav (Gecko Theatre Company) in a bar at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, who’s show Institute is playing The Pleasance.

4.  Edinburgh Fringe Festival Vlog featuring Kirsty Housely, Co-director of The Encounter (Complicite)

5.  Featuring Lyn Gardner

6.  I caught up with Charlie and Louis from Circus company Barely Methodical Troupe who are presenting Bromance at the Circus

7.  Chit chat with Associate Director of Proteus Theatre company at Ed Fringe.

8.  Rather randomly, I bumped into Britain’s Got Talent winner Susan Boyle at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015.

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Edinburgh (a prologue)

Three weeks ago Mark Fisher (The Guardian) told me I should go to Edinburgh. I imagine it to be like Winchester with shabbier and more intoxicated people. Thanking you in advance, Fisher!

Mr Fisher

In just 48 hours I will be taking a seat at The Underbelly to watch my first show ‘Bromance’ by BMT (Barely Methodical Troupe) *swoon* at Edinburgh Fringe Festival (The largest arts festival in the world). I will be writing two features, one for The Big Issue and Arts Professional. My schedule currently contains fifteen shows over three days. *air punch*

I’ve never been to Scotland before let alone an enormous festival(!) Here, I should probably offer some ceremonial apologies in advance. As project manager for Young Critics I have been afforded a unique insight into the minds of our countries leading critics and bloggers and hope to put some of the knowledge to good use.

Expect a flurry of blog posts because if there is one thing I’ve learnt it’s that blogs are really important. They put you in touch with your reader. And it helps if the reader is plural.

Do not despair…

I HAVE AN A-LEVEL IN MEDIA STUDIES (B)

A Level in Media Studies (PROOF)

It’s fair to say that one is quite excited about witnessing the transcendent and the downright mediocre. I will be keeping a daily blog about my experiences, appreciation and affections for what’s on display at this. I suppose a de facto account of my time will follow.

Sure, I’ve booked in for some safe bets (The Encounter, Fake it ‘Til You Make It and Institute etc) however, I’m open to unexpected treasures and have left space in my schedule to seek out those hidden gems.

There is more writing about theatre criticism than ever, which is excellent for theatre. Anyway, let the fun proliferate.

*thumbs up emoji*

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Young Critics Autumn Season

Young Critics

Theatre Royal Winchester is extending its industry-leading project into the Autumn season, due to popular demand. Workshops are led by national journalists and leading theatre critics. There are exciting opportunities to review shows at regional theatres and participants will be provided with mentoring and an opportunity for their work to be published in The Big Issue. A number of regional theatres have been supporting the scheme with an offer of press tickets for participants. Michael Ockwell Chief Executive of The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton said: “We are delighted to be working with our colleagues at Theatre Royal Winchester on this wonderful initiative. Informed, relevant and considered criticism is crucial to the development of arts appreciation and Issue. Mayflower Theatre is pleased to play a small role in facilitating enriching discussions for all the participants in the Young Critics scheme.’

Michael Billington

Young Critics has been attracting a stellar lineup of contributors including The Guardian’s Michael Billington: Britain’s longest-serving theatre critic. He is undeniably a fixture of British Theatre. Michael said: ” I’m delighted to be taking part in a workshop for Young Critics.. So I’m very happy both to talk about the critical trade and hand on whatever practical advice I can.”

The six week course begins in September and costs £90. The course fee includes all sessions and additional ticket offers to shows at other regional venues (including Theatre Royal Winchester, The Mayflower, Southampton, Salisbury Playhouse and Nuffield Theatre) To book call Theatre Royal Winchester box office on 01962 840440.

For further information visit http://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/

For press information please call 01962 844 600 ext. 208

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Seussical (18 and 19 July)

seussical

We did it!

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Some feedback…

“Thank you very much for such an amazing production of Seussical! We were all so impressed, the kids did an amazing job, so thanks to you, Ryan and Rob for all your time and effort. You did a brilliant job! image

“Now that I have had time to just think about the show, I wanted to repeat my
congratulations. It is no small feat to get such a level of consistent high standard
from one pre 16 age group, but from a cast covering such an age range it
was pretty amazing. I loved the fact that the ‘little people’ showed the same
level of stage discipline as the older ones.”

“It is so good to see the Young Theatre Royal going from strength to strength. We are sure this is important not just for the Theatre but for the City and, of course, the young people themselves.”

“There is a large groundswell of opinion that we are very lucky that our children can be a part of your productions.”

Onwards

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New critics on the block | ArtsProfessional

A new strand to Theatre Royal Winchester’s learning and participation work sees young people developing their skills as theatre critics, says Carl Woodward.

Source: New critics on the block | ArtsProfessional

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Pupils’ war horse puppet leaves casting crew speechless

A DORSET-based theatre practitioner and a group of school pupils have wowed West End stars with their own life-size War Horse puppet.

Carl Woodward, former education and outreach officer at Dorchester Arts Centre, was invited to The New London Theatre earlier this month alongside pupils at Oak Lodge School in Hampshire.

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