A pioneering programme which will create thousands of opportunities in the performing arts is bringing free taster sessions and teaser shows to neighbourhoods from next week.
Croydon Creative Collective (C3) – London’s first youth performance partnership (YPP) – is holding sample Neighbourhood Studios in Thornton Heath, South Norwood and New Addington, giving young people the chance to try out different art forms and sign up ahead of the full programme launch in January 2020.
Run by industry professionals, Neighbourhood Studios will offer young people the opportunity to train in different performing arts, including drama, dance, music production and spoken word, develop their skills and work towards a summer production at Croydon’s newly-refurbished Fairfield Halls.
For older C3 members there will be opportunities to get hands-on work experience in the industry through work placements and job-shadowing. Participants will also be offered free tickets to see shows all over London.
The Thornton Heath studio taster sessions will be held at Legacy Youth Zone in Whitehorse Road, Croydon on 26 and 27 November 2019. The junior session for 8 – 12 year olds on 26 November will run 4.30 – 6pm. The senior session on 27 November will run 4–5pm for 12–14 year-olds and 5.15pm – 6.45pm for 14-18 year-olds.
The South Norwood studio tasters will be held at Croydon Youth Theatre at The Shoestring Theatre, Oakley Rd, South Norwood on Tuesday 26 November 2019, with sessions at 3.45pm – 4.45pm for 8-11 year-olds; 5.00pm – 6.00pm for 11-14 year-olds; and 6.15pm – 7.45pm for 14-18 year-olds.
The New Addington studio taster session will be held at Meridian High School, at Fairchildes Avenue, New Addington on Wednesday 4 December, with sessions at 3.45pm – 4.45pm for 11-14 year-olds; 5.00pm – 6.00pm for 8-11 year-olds and 6.15pm – 7.45pm for 14-18 year-olds.
To sign up for a taster please contact 020 8681 0909 or email c3@croydon.gov.uk for a registration form.
“Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “C3 will ensure that all our young people can access Croydon’s wealth of opportunities in the performing arts. The neighbourhood studios programme will bring industry professionals to our communities, so that young people can access training and education on their doorstep.”
Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport
Croydon was named as one of only five YPPs in the UK in March, after the borough’s partnership successfully bid for the £1m Arts Council England funding for the London region, fending off competition from across the capital.
Developed by Croydon Music & Arts and Croydon Council, with young people, arts organisations and schools, the three-year programme will create performing arts opportunities for more than 2,000 young people locally. It will specifically target black, Asian and minority ethnic young people who are historically under-represented in theatre.
The ambitious scheme will bring local arts organisations and schools together with national companies like Talawa, The BRIT School and Dance Umbrella to teach young people practical performance skills. There will be equal emphasis on both off-stage and on-stage professions with script writing, directing and tech as important as drama, dance and music.
Training will involve a huge range of local partners, including SAVVY Theatre Company, ZooCo, Well Versed Ink, Reaching Higher and Syrus Consultancy, with BRIT School students aged 16-19 offering peer-to-peer support every year.
As part of the programme, the young people will have opportunities to perform in or work on three large-scale productions at Croydon’s stunning new arts centre, The Fairfield Halls. They will also experience performances and go backstage at theatres and arts centres throughout London and the South East. Addressing the lack of diversity in the creative industries workforce, C3 will offer 100s of employment pathways for young people through work based training and job shadowing both in Croydon and across London.
ENDS