Museums and galleries
Calling aspiring actors! Young Rep comes to Walsall
Published on
The New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Rep have partnered to offer young budding actors an exciting opportunity to work with a professional theatre director.
For the Young Rep programme in Walsall, young people aged 11-14 across the Black Country will meet at the Gallery after school once a week, to create a collaborative theatre performance inspired by the Gallery’s artworks, exhibitions, the group’s own interests and issues important in their lives.
During the 10-week programme, taking place from 22 February – 21 March 2024 and then 11 April - 9 May 2024, the young people will develop confidence and skills in script writing, devising, physical theatre and scenography before applying what they have learned to the creation of a site-specific performance. Friends, family and members of the public will be invited along to the Gallery to see the final performance at the end of the 10 weeks.
The initiative will cost £50 per term, but full bursaries and part bursaries are available for young people who live in Walsall and are eligible for Free School Meals.
“ This is a fantastic opportunity offering an invaluable experience for the next generation of actors and theatre makers, as well as a chance for young people to express the things they are passionate about. “
“ I’m so excited to be working with young people from across the region here at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Young people taking part can expect to learn new skills, forge new friendships and unleash their creativity by making something totally original driven by their own personalities and interests. “
Those who are interested should contact Trixie Suen, Community & Young People Engagement Coordinator, The New Art Gallery Walsall via Trixiebella.suen@walsall.gov.uk
ENDS.
Notes to Editors
Young REP details
10 sessions: 22 February – 21 March 2024 and 11 April -9 May 2024
Thursdays, 4-4.30pm at The New Art Gallery Walsall.
For young people aged 11-14.
£50 per term. Bursaries and part bursaries available.*
*A number of bursary/part bursary (50%) places are available to young people who live in Walsall and are eligible for Free School Meals. Please contact Trixie Suen for a Bursary Application Form. While we aim to make the course as accessible as possible, we cannot guarantee that all eligible young people will be offered a bursary.
About The New Art Gallery Walsall
The New Art Gallery Walsall presents, collects and interprets historic, modern and contemporary art in innovative and challenging ways, welcoming visitors from all over the globe as well as our immediate locality. They aim to increase the understanding and enjoyment of arts and culture through a dynamic exhibition, education and events programme.
The New Art Gallery Walsall is funded by revenue support from Walsall Council and Arts Council England. It is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm; Sundays 12-4pm.
Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays.
Free admission
www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk
About Birmingham Rep
Birmingham Rep is the oldest building-based theatre company in the UK, and the forerunner of both the RSC and the National Theatre. The Rep has an unparalleled pioneering history and is the only producing theatre in the UK’s Second City. It has been at the forefront of theatre in the UK for over 100 years.
The Rep’s mission is to create artistically ambitious, world class, popular theatre for everyone. The commissioning and production of new work lies at the core of The Rep’s programme. As well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year, the theatre tours its productions nationally and internationally. The Rep’s acclaimed learning and outreach programme is one of the largest and most diverse of any arts organisation in the country.
The Rep has nurtured new talent throughout its history - from Laurence Olivier and Peter Brook to its modern-day youth theatre, and the ground-breaking Rep Foundry theatre-makers programme, it has offered opportunity and training for thousands of early career writers, directors, and artists.
Many of The Rep’s productions go on to have lives beyond Birmingham. Since 2021 Rep tours and transfers include Of Mice and Men, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical, The Way Old Friends Do, The Play What I Wrote, Animal Farm and East is East. The theatre’s long-running production of The Snowman celebrated its 29th anniversary as well as its 26th consecutive season at London's Peacock Theatre in 2023.
