Paid opportunity for 18–25-year-olds

Deadline for Applications: Monday 26 September 2022

Women & Theatre is seeking to recruit 3 writer/ performers (aged 18-25) to collaborate on the creation of 3 short films about young adults’ experiences in relation to mental health and the workplace. Developed in partnership with The Charlie Waller Trust, the films will be utilised in different training contexts and made available online. 

Women & Theatre

Women & Theatre is an award-winning theatre company with nearly 40 years’ experience of working with diverse groups to create exciting drama projects about things that matter. Working across arts, health & community sectors, W&T create vibrant theatre that explores the human condition and issues affecting people’s wellbeing in society. Its programme encompasses different strands & numerous projects including workshops, participatory projects & performances in wide-ranging settings – theatres, training venues, community centres, hospitals & site-specific locations. W&T also engage with audiences & participants digitally, through online projects, podcasts & films. 

The Charlie Waller Trust 

The Charlie Waller Trust are one of the UK’s most respected mental health charities, founded by the family of Charlie Waller who took his own life in 1997 whilst suffering from depression. The Charlie Waller Trust’s mission is to educate young people – and those with responsibility for them, parents and carers, teachers, college and university staff, and employers – about their mental health and wellbeing.  Its work extends to adults in the workplace, taking a whole organisation approach to developing a culture of positive mental health and wellbeing. 

The Project: Working title: In Our Heads

Women & Theatre, working in partnership with the Charlie Waller Trust, is developing 3 short films about young adults’ experiences in relation to mental health and the workplace. These 8-10 minute films will be utilised in different training contexts and made available online. 

Developed from research, each film will present a monologue, written & performed by a different young writer/performer (aged 18-25). The content will reflect different themes and situations, drawing upon real experiences of young employees and managers, and covering topics such as starting a new job, induction processes, mental health stigma, taking time off, home working, using workplace stress assessments , and what makes a positive working culture. 

The films will primarily target employers/ managers, to increase awareness & promote learning, although employees will also benefit from seeing the films and having relatable experiences represented. 

Role/ Duties:

• To be part of an exciting new writing cohort 
• To write one of 3 monologues, that will be around 8-10-minutes in length, and will reflect several themes and situations, relating to the young adults’ mental health in the workplace. 
• The content of the script will be based on research with target groups/ individuals as agreed with the Company, & reflecting W&T’s established research approaches.
• To perform the monologue, taking a central role in one of the 3 films produced. 

Person specification: 

This is a creative development opportunity targeting individuals aged 18-25. The age specification relates to funder priorities & relevance to the age-related focus of the project subject matter. 

We are looking to recruit individuals with an interest and ability in writing and performing for theatre or film and in making work which aims to affect positive change. The successful candidates will also have a proactive and positive approach to their work, be flexible & responsive, and have good verbal communication & interpersonal skills. 

Key Project dates: 

November 2022: 

Saturday 5 November: Introductory Half Day with the Project Team

W/c 7 & 14 November: Research Activity (up to 3 days)

Monday 28 November: Group Session: Explore research findings/ likely content for each monologue

December 2022: 

Monday 5 December: 1^st Draft Deadline

Thursday 8 December: Group Session: Discuss first drafts & consider any themes/ topics which need further highlighting.

Monday 19 December: 2^nd Draft Deadline followed by individual meetings

January 2023: 

Monday 9 January 2023: 3^rd Drafts Deadline

Thursday 12 January 2023: Group get together – any final notes 

TBC: Final drafts delivered & storyboarded 

TBC: A Rehearsal Day & a filming day for each film.

February 2023: Film Editing 

Fee: £1500 (To correspond with 10 days @ £150)

How to Apply:

Please contact us with details of:  

• Why you are interested in the role.
• What qualities and experience would you bring to the role.
• Confirmation of your availability & that you are aged 18-25. 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities, reflecting the communities we work with. We actively encourage applications from those underrepresented within the theatre sector including non-white British, LGBTQ+, working class and disabled applicants and value the positive impact that diversity has on our teams. 

Please send us your CV and a cover letter/ email. You may alternatively submit a short video or voice recording. Please ensure these are under 5 minutes in length.

Send your CV and application Katie Webster, Project Coordinator at katiewebster@womenandtheatre.co.uk. 

For more information, email katiewebster@womenandtheatre.co.uk 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5pm on Monday 26 September 2022

INTERVIEWS: Monday 10 October 2022

As part of the interview process, we will be asking applicants to perform a short piece and do a short creative writing exercise.