It’s all about you! If you are aged between 0-25 years old your luck is in, as Oxford Playhouse releases its extensive and varied virtual programme to keep you engaged during lockdown.
Fancy taking part in the new Playhouse Monologue Jam, becoming an ambassador or a playmaker, or even singing, dancing and performing in a group again? Well, now it’s all on offer. All you have to do is sign up.
So what brought this about? “The disruptions of the last year have left many of us with a lack of focus and ambition, and we hope that the creative challenge of this project can be a real remedy to that,” Paul Simpson, OP Participation Manager says.
“We’ve missed seeing our participants thrive in our rehearsal rooms, so have adapted our work to continue to reach out to our young people, to ensure they can stay creative, connected with others, and hold on to their passion for theatre,” Paul adds.
First up is the Playhouse Monologue Slam, for anyone aged 12 – 16 with a passion for performing and creative writing. The fortnightly masterclasses help them write and perform a monologue with the help of the National Literacy Trust, to share on the Playhouse website later in the Spring.
Oxford Playhouse’s Eleanor Warr says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Oxfordshire to write and perform original SLAM monologues. The NLT does amazing work encouraging young people into reading, writing, poetry and performance. We can’t wait to work with them and the brilliant poets and spoken word artists they collaborate with.”
Oxford Playhouse is also enlisting a team of OP Young Ambassadors to help direct the theatre’s decision making, from programming and marketing to diversity and the environment.
The scheme is open to anyone aged 16-25, who feels passionate about theatre and wants to help plan, create and deliver positive change. To become an OP Young Ambassadors download the application form here: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/participation/young-people/op-young-ambassadors/
The Playhouse Young Company is also back with a new term online. Open to anyone aged 17 – 25 with a passion for theatre making and enthusiasm for developing theatre skills, participants explore performance skills, voice and movement, as well as working together as an ensemble, culminating in a performance that will be shared with friends and family at the end of term.
Little ones will enjoy Hey Diddle Diddle, OP’s hugely popular sing-along and play session for babies and pre-school children and their adults. One of the best music sessions for toddlers in Oxford, Hey Diddle Diddle uses music, dance and acting skills to encourage creativity and imagination. Free to attend but booking essential.
Louise Chantal, Joint Director of OP said: “Even if our doors are shut right now, we’re determined to keep telling stories and inspire young people to connect with the world around them. We want to make sure people of all ages have creative opportunities during the pandemic.”
Go to: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/participation/young-people/
