Press Release: Acclaimed Theatre Director Vicky Featherstone to open Theatrecraft 2014 "The beyond the stage" Careers fair

Published on Mon 15 Sep 2014
*The Royal Court Theatre's Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone will open this year's TheatreCraft event by giving a welcome speech at 9am on Friday 17th October 2014, at the Royal Opera House.*

TheatreCraft, which is now in its 9th year, is the essential free event for anyone aged 16 to 25 looking for a non-performance career in theatre. From directing to stage management, producing to marketing, lighting to design, TheatreCraft is the only place to be for a fun and unique glimpse into the ‘behind the scenes’ world of theatre.

More than 1000 people attended TheatreCraft 2013 and met more than 50 exhibitors in the bustling marketplace, took part in over 70 workshops delivered by skilled theatre professionals and visited the ‘Ask the Experts’ zone which offered one-to-one advice sessions with 33 industry experts.

Commenting on this year’s event Vicky Featherstone said;

“When I first dreamt about working in theatre all I really knew about were the actors. The wealth of talent, passion and commitment that goes into creating a whole piece of theatre is extraordinary. There is opportunity for such a diverse and wide ranging group of people coming together to make it happen. TheatreCraft is an incredibly important resource to equip our next generation with the skills, opportunities and inspiration to forge a career in theatre. Most importantly it is completely free, enabling the sector to encourage young people from all walks of life, with all sorts of experience to join our industry. It is vital to our future, our relevance and to achieve our potential that TheatreCraft exists. I am honoured to be part of that quest and that possibility.”

Caro Newling, President of the Society of London Theatre, added;

“The UK theatre industry maintains its position as a world leader due to the enormous wealth of talent we have behind-the-scenes. It is crucial that we continue to develop and nurture the skills and careers of theatre technicians across the spectrum. Since it began in 2003, TheatreCraft has grown to become an indispensable source of support, inspiration and guidance to thousands of young people interested in working in theatre. This unique, open-door event provides free access to invaluable information, insight and networking opportunities that will equip the next generation of theatre makers.”

Attendees on the day can take part in workshops led by theatre professionals, explore the vibrant marketplace, join in at the Ask the Experts zone for one to one advice and interact with peers in the networking hubs.

Speaking of last year’s opportunities TheatreCraft 2013 attendee Jennie Matthews said;

“If you’re a young theatre maker I couldn’t recommend TheatreCraft enough! Since my visit last year I found out and about and have completed the NYT EPIC Stages course, I have attended free workshops at The Almeida Theatre and I have completed the Ambassador West End directing programme which was fantastic! I have gained enough courage to make my own work, with my own company at two fringe festivals this year. It’s a really friendly supportive day which allows you to approach all the exhibitors with your questions and ask for advice, which when you’re starting is really important to be able to do.”

TheatreCraft was established by Masterclass in 2003 as a way of highlighting training and career opportunities for young people interested in working behind the scenes in the theatre and performance industries. It is currently organised by a group of committed partners from across the creative and cultural industries who run the event: Creative & Cultural Skills, Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust, Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Royal Opera House and Society of London Theatre.

TheatreCraft is sponsored by White Light and John Good. Media partners are The Stage and Official London Theatre.

LISTINGS
Event: TheatreCraft
Date: Friday 17 October 2014
Time: 9.00am – 3.30pm; Vicky Featherstone will open the event at 9am.
Venue: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Delegates can attend for free registering at www.theatrecraft.org

ENDS

Press Contact Anoushka Warden anoushka@masterclass.org.uk” 0207 389 9660
Hannah Clapham hannah@soltukt.co.uk 0207 557 6729
TheatreCraft Project Manager Harriet Usher harriet@theatrecraft.org 07916172863

Notes to Editors:

  • A selection of images from previous TheatreCraft events are available on request
  • TheatreCraft takes place on Friday 17th October 2014 at the Royal Opera House
  • TheatreCraft is free to 16 – 25 year olds and offers a busy Marketplace of exhibiting theatres, training providers, education institutions and careers advisors. Up to 60 accompanying workshops, talks, panel discussions and one-to-one sessions led by industry practitioners will be offered to all attendees
  • See below for a selection of this year’s confirmed workshop leaders and exhibitors, further ones to be announced

Workshop Leaders 2014

Workshop leaders include David Grindley (Directing), James Seabright (Producing), Jonathan Russell (Casting), Lyn Gardner (Journalism), Holly Kendrick for High Tide Festival (Producing Festivals), ATG (Careers and Theatre Management), Clare Slater for Gate Theatre (running a theatre) and the Royal Opera House are holding workshops on Armoury, Wigs, Make Up, Lighting, Dye and Costume. http://www.theatrecraft.org/events/categories/workshop/

Exhibitors 2014

Exhibitors include Almeida Theatre, Ambassador Theatre Group, English National Opera , English Touring Theatre, Glyndebourne, Michael Grandage Company Futures, The Orange Tree Theatre, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art , Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and The RSC. http://www.theatrecraft.org/category/2014-exhibitors

About the TheatreCraft Partners 2013

Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust is a small charity that has a big impact on young people’s lives with a unique offering of free masterclasses with leading theatre professionals, careers advice sessions, apprenticeships and performance experiences. Masterclass are committed to using theatre and the beautiful Theatre Royal Haymarket to inspire and empower young people – the talent of the future. To date over 65,000 14 – 30 year olds have benefited from our programme. TheatreCraft was established by Masterclass in 2003 as a way of highlighting training and career opportunities for young people interested in working behind the scenes in the theatre and performance industries. www.masterclass.org.uk

The Royal Opera House is the home of three world-class performing companies – The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
The Royal Opera House is passionate about inspiring people to choose careers in the arts sector, particularly in the backstage areas that they may not have previously considered. The Royal Opera House promotes a variety of routes into working in the arts, through employment opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience placements.
The Learning and Participation programme also explores new ways for people to connect with ballet, opera and music through a range of dynamic projects, enabling people to discover and develop their talents, creative skills and passions, whatever their background or level of experience. www.roh.org.uk

Mousetrap Theatre Projects is a theatre education charity committed to enabling young people with limited resources, access or support to engage with the best of London theatre. Since 1997, Mousetrap Theatre Projects has enabled more than 100,000 young people to see outstanding theatre productions, mostly in the West End, with best seats at £5 – £10. Theatre visits are supported by one of the 18 education programmes delivered by a range of professional theatre practitioners – from musical theatre composition to the ‘business of theatre’ to sound and lighting design to critical reviewing. At the heart of Mousetrap Theatre Projects’ work is the desire to open doors to young people who might otherwise consider London’s rich cultural heritage closed to them. www.mousetrap.org.uk

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is the organisation that represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the 52 major commercial and grant-aided theatres in central London. SOLT exists in order to promote theatregoing, develop audiences, and to serve, protect and promote the interests of those engaged in theatre across London, through activities including the Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the TKTS ticket booth, the Official London Theatre guide, Theatre Tokens, West End LIVE and the promotions Kids Week and Get Into London Theatre (GILT). www.solt.co.uk

Creative & Cultural Skills gives young people opportunities to work and learn in the creative industries – to ensure that employers benefit from a skilled generation of talent and continue on a course of economic growth. Creative & Cultural Skills’ network of industry and education supporters – the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural – is open to those who are committed to the provision of high quality creative education and training, apprenticeships and careers advice. Creative & Cultural Skills have created over 3,000 Creative Apprenticeships in the UK since 2008, and are delivering a further 6,500 jobs in the next two years. www.ccskills.org.uk

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