Word Lounge Theatre Company – Spring 2023
Women & Theatre is looking for Volunteers to work on our Word Lounge Theatre Company project, taking place at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) between January – April 2023. 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 & half term activity at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), working with up to 20 young people. The work will be led by the ideas of the young people and will culminate in a live production which incorporates drama, music and film.
The performances will be presented in the Foyle Studio at MAC to an audience of family, friends and members of the general public. The project will be led by the young people allowing them to express their ideas and opinions to diverse audiences. The production’s digital elements – film and music – will also be shared with online audiences.
Creative activity will include devising scripts, writing songs, and creating films for the final performance. The young people will learn different performance and film-making skills and explore different roles as part of the creative process including set making, film editing and stage management.
Project Team
Activity will be delivered by W&T staff and freelance practitioners; bringing different expertise including film making and music creation. Volunteers will support across the team, dependent on your skills, experience and interest.
WLTC will be led by W&T’s Artistic Director, Janice Connolly, and other freelance artists. We will also have two Support Artists as part of the team, along with W&T’s Project Coordinator, Katie Webster. Our established young person-led approach means participants will be empowered and supported to develop skills and create their own work, validating their own ideas and abilities.
The Role:
Volunteers will be involved in planning, supporting and evaluating the Word Lounge sessions, facilitating activities, supported by W&T team and freelance artists.
Volunteers will be involved in weekly sessions, being an active part of the group and supporting the young people in creating the performance, which may include storyboarding, filming, writing and performing. Working with a diverse group with varied needs, volunteers will need to be responsive and adaptable to work in different ways. The role may also include helping to create scripts and creative elements of the project; generally assisting the rest of the team in rehearsals, and participating in session debriefs.
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. It’s also a bonus if you don’t mind performing as part of the production, as often the young people really enjoy performing alongside our volunteers.
What you’ll get out of it:
Volunteers will develop new skills and experience from working creatively with a diverse, creative and dynamic group of young people with varied needs and abilities. It will be a creative and enjoyable experience for all involved, as we learn together to make short films in remote ways. You will also be supported by the Women & Theatre team, and we will work with you to ensure you’re getting the most out of your volunteering experience.
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 17
Jan 2023
Word Lounge Theatre Company Sessions
Sat 21 Jan 10am-1pm @ MAC (plus planning/ debrief time either side.)
Sat 28 Jan 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 4 Feb 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 11 Feb 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 18 Feb 10am-1pm @ MAC
Half Term Break
Sat 4 March 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 11 March 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 18 March 10am-1pm @ MAC
Sat 25 March 10am-1pm @ MAC
Fri 31 March – Daytime Get-In and Evening Dress Rehearsal @ MAC – Times TBC
Sat 1 April ALL DAY (approx. 10am-7pm) @ MAC – 2x Performances
How to get involved:
If you are interested in volunteering, please send a short email to Katie Webster, Project Coordinator, at katiewebster@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 Monday 9th January 2023.
We will invite potential volunteers to an informal interview. Please get in touch if you require additional information or support, either by emailing katiewebster@womenandtheatre.co.uk, or call 07956 773 196, 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.
Audio description
Large Print Version of Opportunity
