Old Vic New Voices
Most people, theatre loving or not, know about or have heard of the Old Vic. Opening in 1818 in London, it's a world renowned theatre that has housed some of Britain's most distinguished talent (Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, John Gielgud, and Judi Dench, just to name drop) and has a history of great productions. But has everyone heard about Old Vic New Voices?
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| Credit: www.theatresonline.com |
So, the Old Vic New Voices (OVNV) is a rather
unique and wonderfully nurturing scheme. Before I begin on a rant, I’ll hand it
over to Artistic Director the one Mister Kevin Spacey who sums it up pretty
well -‘We’re about exceptional talent, open access for everyone and filling the
theatre with energy and creativity.’ For our generation and the young talented
theatre makers to come - writers, directors, actors, producers, the whole lot –
they provide practical support, advice, training, and some very unique and
fantastic opportunities. Many of the OVNV alumni have gone on to acclaim in the theatre industry - playwright Nick Payne (Constellations. Oh, hes also won an Olivier award) is the one that pops straight into my mind but there are plenty more! The Old
Vic have deeply invested in OVNV and are dedicated to developing the next generation
of theatre practitioners, but also, and very importantly, bringing theatre to
everyone – every age and every background.
Really, it’s in our best interest to know the goings-on of OVNV
because I genuinely believe that it’s a brilliantly selfless scheme, in terms
of what they offer and that go above and beyond. So if you’re interested in
theatre making in any way, and you can’t be bothered to make it through my post
– I won’t take that much offense –
just do yourself a favour and head to the OVNV website and let them convince
you – it won’t take long. (But maybe read the bit on Community & Education
– worthy work they do and close to my heart!) HOWEVER for those of you patient
and wonderful souls who will read on
- virtual brownie points if you do – let me tell you a bit more. There
are a few departments within the OVNV – so here’s a little break down of each
and what they offer:
TALENT - developing
emerging talent by offering practical support and opportunities with very cool
projects, networking and training from industry professionals. The Talent side
is overseen by Steve Winters, Director of OVNV. Some of the things that they
are offering:
OVNV Lab – rehearsal spaces
that you can book so you have a place to meet and bring a production to life –
writing, singing, dancing – whatever you fancy. (To book for a space in July apply by May 31st)
Start-up funds
– that one’s pretty straight forward. Helps you get your project out of idea zone and into something tangible. (For the next round of funds apply by May 31st)
24 Hour Plays*
– now this is a spectacular concept.
24 hours from start to finish writers, actors, directors, producers and crew
embark on the wonderfully mad journey of writing, rehearsing and performing new
plays on the Old Vic stage. Incredibly bonkers and amazing.
T.S. Elliot Commissions
– 20 plays commissioned over two years.You get space and
financial support. And a chance for your play to be in a future OVNV short play
season. Application deadlines for next round close May 31st.
There is more!
Off to the OVNV website to learn more, please.
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| The 24 Hour Plays. Image credit: Old Vic New Voices |
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION - The Community and Education
departments, are particularly admirable. The whole of the OVNV is admirable, I
know, but these two departments are taking theatre to everyone, and encouraging
people of all ages, areas, ethnicity and background to get involved and see how
theatre can affect positive change. They give put so much time and effort into
theatre for other people, and the people who work here are doing it for the
love of it, and because they want to give people what theatre has given them.
Their successes are a bit different from the norm and I don’t believe it’s
glamour and glitz, but entirely rewarding in another way. And I also imagine
pretty exhausting. They create work which has a purpose and really have
empowered people and been a catalyst for positive change in the lives of those
who have walked down their road. And I can say this from first-hand experience.
I was lucky enough to become involved with OVNV after seeing a notice for
Epidemic the musical on Ideas Tap (Another great scheme – in partnership with
the OVNV too - an online network that’s all about the kids!) the major project
of the Community department of OVNV last year. They produced
professional-quality musical in the Old Vic Tunnels that centred around mental
health and weight issues – very real concerns in our society. The company was
120 strong, headed by industry professionals and then made up of volunteers
from cast, crew, wardrobe and stage management. The professionals were
incredibly kind and caring – and led by Alex Ferris who is Head of Community,
oversees Education and directed Epidemic.
He was universally loved and despite the huge company, seemed to know
everyone and all the goings on. People thrived, developed and were touched
deeply by those they worked with and the musical itself, and as a result made
personal lifestyle changes. We also met new friends in each other and all of
different ages and backgrounds. Theatre doing all that – pretty incredible huh.
Community offerings:
Theatre
Boot-Camp - Without even explaining what it is, you have to admit, it already
sounds awesome. With connotations of hard core theatre, challenges, and
learning - and that’s what you get to do. I’m afraid I’m a bit late posting
about the most immediate boot camp – taking place on 18th & 19th
May – as applications have now closed, but consider this a very early reminder
for the next! I believe there are still another two coming up in the year so
keep a look out!
Workshops – free drop-in sessions that explore contemporary topics.
The next session is June 20, and open for booking from May 29th.
Community Company - If you’re over 16 and based in London you can also apply for the
Community Company. They are on the look out for five writers for the Community Company - those applications close July 1st. Again, loads more on the website.
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| Epidemic Company. Image credit: Old Vic New Voices |
The Education department’s School’s Club works with schools to
provide them with tickets to shows at the Old Vic, pre-show workshops,
classroom learning, teacher packs and training and resource packs with lesson
plans. Just listing these makes me shake my head in wonder, it’s so important
to reach out and let kids be introduced to theatre and what it can do for them
in so many ways. Along my way I’ve met several people my age and older who
never were introduced to theatre and therefore never given the chance even to
decide if it was something for them or not. An exposure to arts (along with
sports and culture etc…but this is a theatre blog after all) is a great thing,
and OVNV are doing an inspiring job.
Education offerings that you can access now:
Teaching and resource packs at the OVNV website.
Clearly the OVNV deserves a pat on the back, and I hearten you to look into the OVNV and be involved in some way; they are wholly inclusive and are ready to encourage and support any individuals or groups that they possibly can. Go on, you know you want to.
*Last year I attended the audition for the actors for the 24 Hour
Plays and it was an experience in itself. I would say there was about 60 – 70
people in the audition (This was just one of many audition sessions that were
held) and it was constructed more as a master class/workshop, led by Steve
Winters. We had fun, exercised (yes we did!), applied different exercises to
our monologues in new ways, improvised and devised a piece in groups and met
new people. It was a clever and
challenging audition, and I’d encourage people to go along for the experience!
** There is an interview about Alex going up shortly – so keep a
look out as he’s got things to say that are definitely worth hearing!
Kate Golledge Workshops
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| Kate Golledge and Barney Ashworth in action. |
Graduates and students - if you're interested in working on your acting through song techniques, I cannot recommend this weekend workshop enough! If you've read the interview then you will belive me to be bias as I think Kate Golledge is a legend. Fair play. But I'm bias because this is where I met Kate and why I began thinking she was a legend! I was apprehensive about attending as I felt I might be out of my depth and a bit like the new kid, but my musical theatre Dad Gary had suggested it and he's very wise so I decided to go for it. One of the best decisions. Everyone was friendly and supportive - not to mention talented - and they all wanted each other to do and be their best. Barney Ashworth and Kate are incredible mentors, and they work you hard, but they make you feel comfortable, encouraged, and tell you how it is.We learned a huge amount from this weekend, laughed a lot, ate cake and I came away feeling empowered and inspired and wanting to sing my way home. Luckily for fellow commuters that day, I exercised some restraint.
Kate sums it up more succinctly than I and tells you what you're in for:
'Day One will form
the basis of a ten-step programme which will cover all aspects of
approaching song - lyric and music analysis, creating a character,
playing objectives, creating context. Kate and Barney will offer lots of
techniques for conquering nerves in an audition situation, connecting
to text and making choices that will help you to stand out from the
crowd.
Day Two will offer the chance to polish a song of your own choice both musically and from an acting point of view.
Director Kate Golledge and musical director Barney Ashworth have years
of experience working in the West End (The Wizard of Oz, Sweet Charity,
Never Forget, Shout!, Blood Brothers) and on number one UK tour (Grease,
Cats) and will offer amazing insights into the business, and the
audition process.
Suitable for current students and graduates with a working knowledge of acting technique.
Cost is £65 for the weekend, or £55 if booked and paid for before March 31st. Maximum 25 places so get in touch and confirm your place now to avoid disappointment'.
The workshop is held on the 13th and 14th of April.
If Kate's blurb nor myself have convinced you, then have a look at the Kate Golledge Workshops page and read what other participants have said.
P.S. Did I mention there was cake?
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