Young People Appointed to Associate Roles in Lyric Hammersmith
The Stage has reported that in a bid to improve diversity in the sector, London’s Lyric Hammersmith has appointed four young people to artistic associate positions within the venue.
The Young Artistic Associates programme (YAA), which is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, supports people with backgrounds currently under-represented in the sector with full-time, paid positions.
Executive director of the Lyric, Jessica Hepburn told The Stage that there is a “real disconnect within the theatre industry between those young people who attend theatre youth groups and those who go on to work full-time in the industry.” She also stated how she is hopeful the scheme will help “change the face of our industry.”
To read the full report, please visit http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/31382/lyric-hammersmith-appoints-young-people-to
Shakespeare Plays to the Olympic Crowd
In celebration of the 2012 Olympics to be held in London, The Globe will be performing all 38 of Shakespeare's plays with a unique twist; each one will be performed in a different language by a different international company.
The Stage reports that the 6 week event will commence on The Bard's birthday - April 23rd 2012 - and will feature performances in Maori, Cantonese and Lithuanian, as well as a performance of Love's Labour's Lost in British sign language.
To read the full report, go to http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/31029/all-38-shakespeare-plays-to-be-staged-at
National Auditions for Young People with YMT
Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT) are preparing to tour the UK in January and February in search of actors, singers, dancers, musicians and stage managers to join the company in 2011.
There are places for 300 lucky young people to take part in the YMT's national programme of productions in July and August 2011. Group workshop auditions will be taking place in 19 cities across the UK and Ireland, with YMT estimating that they expect to see up to 2000 hopefuls. Youngsters will have a 2 hour workshop to impress the Director, Musical Director and Choreogrpaher with their acting, singing and dancing.
Opportunities are also available for those wanting to play instruments and to work backstage. Online applications are now open through YMT's website at www.youthmusictheatre.org.
The auditions are a fantastic opportunity to get involved with the company and to work with leading professionals. Places for auditions are filling up fast so aspiring performers are advised to book their places as soon as possible, either through the website at www.youthmusictheatre.org or by calling 0844 415 4858.
TMA and Equity Close to Finalising Sub-Rep Deal
The Stage reports that theatre union Equity and the Theatre Management Association are on the verge of securing a deal that will see actors and assistant stage managers working in the subsidised repertory sector paid a minimum of £400 a week.
The deal has been approved by the ruling councils of both Equity and TMA theatres, and will be the result of nearly two years of difficult negotiations between the union and trade association, which had at times threatened to spill over into indutrial action.
The new agreement will see performers and stage managers - currently on minimums of £352 and £324 respectively - achieve a £400 a week minimum by 2016. Assistant stage managers will be the biggest winners in the deal, with their minimum increasing from its current level of £324 to £400, also by 2016.
The agreement was described as a "tough deal for tough times", with TMA chief executive Richard Pulford telling The Stage that the deal, if agreed, would be a "landmark" for the subsidised repertory sector, adding "I think both the union and our members have been very mature and reasonable about this in very difficult circumstances."
To read the full report by The Stage News, visit http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/30045/tma-and-equity-on-brink-of-landmark.
Theatre Ninjas app Passes Test
According to The Stage, free iPhone app, Theatre Ninjas, has proven to be so popular over the Edinburgh Fringe Festival it is to stay live. The app and website allows users to pick up last minute free tickets to shows on a first come, first served basis, giving theatre goers a chance to see something different for absolutely nothing, and allowing theatre-makers a chance to have a full house almost every night, have their work seen by more people, and advertise through word of mouth.
The Stage reports that the ten founders of the app are looking for ways to expand and apply Thetre Ninjas to other festivals and venues. During the Fringe, Theatre Ninjas was reportedly downloaded approximately 3,500 times, with 61% of users visiting venues they had not heard of before.
To read the full story, visit http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/29623/theatre-ninjas-app-to-roll-out-beyond or go to http://www.theatreninjas.co.uk/ to register and download the app for free!
Backstage Tours at Salisbury
Salisbury Playhouse is opening its doors and offereing backstage tours and talks to the public. Tickets are only £6 and allow visitors to discover trade secrets and ask plenty of questions about the production process. A new tour begins every month to coencide with each new production, a great way to begin the day or round it off with an after matinee visit.
For more information, go to the site at http://www.salisburyplayhouse.com/index.php?pid=78.
Charlotte Higgins on Guardian.co.uk
Charlotte Higgins is a regular blogger on culture for the Guardian Online. To follow her, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog.
Equity Boss Interviewed
Guardian.co.uk recently had a sit down with Malcom Sinclair, the busy actor who was elected head of the most famous union in theatre in July. Among other things, Sinclair discusses the role of Equity and the tough times facing the acting proffession.
To read the full interview, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2010/sep/15/malcolm-sinclair-equity.
TheatreFix
Win VIP West End trip with TheatreFix!
TheatreFix is a new website dedicated to bringing 16-26 year olds descounted tickets throughout the year to top London Shows.
To celebrate the launch of TheatreFix, we are offering anyone aged 16-26 the chance to win a pair of tickets to see London's mega musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical and the hotly anticpated musical Sister Act in our dazzling prize draw.
If that wasn't enough, you could win an overnight stay at the Strand Palace Hotel located in the heart of the West End, ejoy mouth-watering meals at Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and can have fun spending with £100 See Tickets Vouchers.
Even better, we're offering an incredible second and third prize too - so you have more chances to win. To enter, visit www.theatrefix.co.uk
Masterclass - Education by Inspiration
Masterclass provides FREE talks, workshops, career advice sessions and special projects with leading theatre professionals for anyone aged 17 – 30.
From actors and directors to writers and producers, Masterclass offers you the opportunity to learn from the most talented and respected masters of the craft. Past masters include; Helen Mirren, Ewan McGregor, Alan Ayckbourn, Nicholas Hytner and Derek Jacobi.
Masterclass events occur at least once a month at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. For more information on the all our activities visit: www.masterclass.org.uk
Call 0207 389 9660 or email: info@masterclass.org.uk
Masterclass, Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4HT
YouTube style website gives performers a platform
A team of talent producers at Graham Norton's production company, So Television, have created an online talent search called Noostar.com. Noostar provides a platform for performers (dancers, singers, actors...) to upload their video clips and receive a high level of publicity.
Once you've uploaded your clip, you can invite people to watch it and vote for you (winners are announced weekly) or just enjoy watching others. Norton and his team describe the site as 'like YouTube without the non performers'.
Find out more at www.noostar.com