Word Lounge Theatre Company

Women & Theatre is looking for two Volunteers to work on our Word Lounge Theatre Company project, taking place at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) between January – March 2024. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to develop new skills in participatory theatre, working with young people, or looking for an exciting opportunity to meet new people. 

THE PROJECT:

Word Lounge Theatre Company is a performance-based company for children in care, young carers and young people with additional educational needs. 

Women & Theatre will deliver a programme of weekly sessions at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), working with up to 15 young people. The work will be led by the ideas of the young people and will end with a live production to an audience of family, friends and members of the general public with theatre at the heart.

Creative activity could include devising scripts, songs, films, set, poetry, movement and other creative elements that could emerge for the final performance. We also intend the final performance to be an immersive theatrical experience and so some of the young people may explore different roles as part of the creative process including set making, editing and stage management. 

Project Team 

Activity will be delivered by W&T staff and freelance practitioners; bringing different expertise including set design, drama and physical theatre. Volunteers will support across the team, incorporating your skills, experience and expertise. 

Word Lounge Theatre Company will be facilitated by W&T’s Artistic Director, Adaya Henry and Associate Director Vicky Pritchard along with Associate Artist Liam Walsh, and other freelance artists. Our established young person-led approach means that we centre participants as artists. We support them to create their own work and build on existing skills whilst raising self-esteem.  

The Role:  

Volunteers will be involved in weekly sessions, being an active part of the group, supporting the young people in creating the performance.It is really important that volunteers are actively involved in the sessions and are willing to perform in the final show if needed. The theatre company is a  diverse group of young people with varied needs, volunteers will need to be responsive and adaptable to work in different ways. 

The role may include: 

  • Storyboarding 
  • Writing 
  • Performing 
  • Creating scripts 
  • Devise creative elements of projects 
  • Assisting the rest of the team in rehearsals 
  • Participating in session debriefs
  • Filming 
  • Working in collaboration with the rest of the Word Lounge Team 
  • Helping set up and set down 
  • Supporting with pastoral care 

 What we need: 

We need individuals that are kind, committed, hard-working, flexible, organised and good at working in a team. Ideally, volunteers will have an understanding of creative work and some experience working with young people with varied needs.  

What you’ll get out of it:

Volunteers will work alongside a professional theatre company, Women & Theatre, who have 40 years of experience. This is an opportunity to build a relationship with the company and increase employability skills. We hope that volunteers are able to gain: 

  • New skills in theatre and facilitation
  • Experience of working with young people with varied needs and abilities 
  • Overall confidence 
  • New working relationships and connections in the arts 

You will be supported by the W&T team throughout the project. 

Dates: 

It is ideal if volunteers are available for all sessions and meetings, but we recognise different people will have varying levels of commitment. We would ask you to not miss more than two sessions in a row, and you should be able to attend the first session, the dress rehearsal and the performance day.

Meetings:           Initial Introduction & Planning Meeting with WLTC Team – Tuesday 16 January 2023, time tbc.

Word Lounge Theatre Company Sessions 

Sat 20 Jan 2024, 10 – 1pm 

Sat 27 Jan 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 3 Feb 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 10 Feb 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 17 Feb 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 24 Feb 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 2 March 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 9 March 2024, 10 – 1pm

Sat 16 March 2024, 10 – 3pm 

Fri 22 March, Evening rehearsal time tbc

Sat 23 March 2024, ALL DAY, performances, times tbc

How to get involved: 

If you are interested in volunteering, please send a short email to Adaya Henry, at adayahenry@womenandtheatre.co.uk, stating why you are interested, and any relevant experience. You may alternatively submit a short video or voice recording. Please also let us know your availability for the project period. 

Please email in expressions of interest by the end of 5th January 2024. 

We will invite potential volunteers to an informal interview. Please get in touch if you require additional information or support, either by emailing adayahenry@womenandtheatre.co.uk, or 0121 449 7117. 

Women & Theatre welcomes interest from all sections of the community. We are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our team and welcome applications from people from the global majority, people who are disabled, men and non-binary people, people who are LGBTQ+, and/or from working class or low socio-economic backgrounds. We also welcome applications from people with care experience or experience as a young carer.