As theatre communities up and down the country eagerly await the reopening of the arts, Sharnbrook Mill Theatre is focusing on the future with exciting opportunities for the youth.
First up and celebrating 20 years, the Youth Summer School is back from July 27-30, offering anyone aged 6-18 years-old the chance to develop performance and communication skills in a series of one-day workshop with the theme of Revival.
Kathryn Rose, Summer School Co-ordinator, said: “We’re so excited to be able to run the Summer School this year for our youth. We’ve changed the format to abide with Government regulations but the ethos of the school remains the same – to give young people an innovative space to create theatre and make friends. Our tutors cannot wait to work with everyone again.”
Spaces are limited to 15 students each day and the cost is £35 per day.
Following the success of the inaugural Young Playwrights’ Showcase, in 2020, it is returning for a second year.
Connie, one of the charities Youth Ambassadors, said she is delighted it is running again, and wants to encourage anyone aged between 13 and 18 years old to register their interest in the competition by April 30, with final prices to be submitted by August 28. There are some guidelines for the 2021 submissions:
- The piece must have a theme of ‘Revival’ – how you choose to interpret the theme is up to you!
- The piece must be written for a cast size of 1 – 5
- Minimum of 10 minutes with maximum of 20 minutes running time
- The piece must be performable at The Mill with minimal props and no set
“The Young Playwrights’ Showcase is an amazing opportunity for young writers aged 13-18 to create a piece of theatre which will be performed at our lovely theatre. This will be a fun, enjoyable and creative time for young people who will hopefully learn a great deal from the mentors and also when they see the final result of their piece of theatre feel proud of what they have created!” enthused Connie.
This year all entries will have an adult mentor to help develop and guide the writing with the pieces being performed later this year in collaboration with the Youth Theatre Workshop Programme.
In a new initiative, the Youth Team is setting up the Youth Theatre Workshop Programme for those aged 13 to 18 years to explore all areas of theatre including performance, directing, design, marketing and technical.
The aim is to highlight the variety of jobs and skills needed to make productions happen and to open opportunities across the Trust for all ages. The culmination of the workshops will be a youth-led performance of the playwright pieces in a showcase using all the skills they’ve learnt and developed over the programme.
For more information on any of the above, please visit: www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk or email youth@sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk
