Apprenticeship at Writing East MIdlands

Writing East Midlands (WEM) is working with The Mighty Creatives and New College Nottingham to offer a yearlong Level 2 Certificate in Community Arts Administration apprenticeship with WEM.

Writing East Midlands works with a wide range of talented writers, including novelists, poets and spoken word artists, to create exciting literature projects and events around the East Midlands. We work with local and national literature partners, regional newspapers, county and city councils, as well as universities, colleges and schools to promote writing and engage new audiences. We are looking to recruit an apprentice to provide administrative support to project activity and to assist in the general running of the organisation.

Vacancy Description 
• Professionally handle incoming calls and emails 
• Provide administrative support for projects as directed by the line manager. This may include helping to organise programmes, projects and events, as well as attendance at activities. 
• Coordinate the practical and domestic arrangements for events, meetings, conferences etc and to occasionally minute meetings. 
• Assist in the smooth running of Writing East Midlands office. This will include managing stationery and domestic supplies. 
• Support the marketing and communication of projects. This will include sending out newsletters, updating websites, and use of social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. 
• Archive press coverage and assist with the maintenance of contact and communication lists. 
• Assist with collating data for evaluative purposes. 
• Assist with finance/bookkeeping 
• Attend meetings as required 
• Research tasks as required 
• Undertake other duties that fall within the spirit and purpose of the job, as agreed with the line manager. 
Working Week 30 hours per week over 4 days (to be agreed) 
Weekly Wage £ 151.78 
Expected Duration 12 months

Skills Required 
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of IT packages including word, Excel and Outlook 
• Competence using social networking sites and the internet in general 
• Strong organisational skills 
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills appropriate for communicating effectively with a wide range of people 
• Works accurately with attention to detail 
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage time
Qualifications Required
• Five GCSE’s grade A* – C including Maths and English

Personal Qualities 
• Interest in creative writing and / or literature 
• Ability to work supportively and cooperatively within a small team 
• A self motivator with a proactive, methodical and organised approach to work 
• Ability to use initiative, anticipate and resolve problems 
• Flexibility in order to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings and events 
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude and sense of humour and perspective 
Important Other Information 
Over the course of your apprenticeship, you will build a portfolio of work to be assessed by New College Nottingham. You will spend time at the college, but most of your apprenticeship will be undertaken at our offices, where you will gain the skills and knowledge required to support community arts projects.

Reality Check 
There will be the need to attend the occasional evening and weekend event.

Training 
The Apprenticeship Framework is made up of: – EDI Level 2 Certificate in Community Arts Administration – EDI Level 2 Award in the Principles of the Creative and Cultural Sector – Level 1 Functional Skills in English & Maths – Level 1 Functional Skills in ICT

Closing Date For Applications 19/05/2012 
Interview Begin From 21/05/2012 
Possible Start Date 04/06/2012

Please note, to apply for the vacancy, you will need to register with the National Apprenticeship Service athttp://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ and you will then be able to submit your application for vacancy reference number: 161066. You can also search for the vacancy by provider, which is New College Nottingham.

Enquiries: Suzanne Quarton Employer Engagement Officer
Telephone number:             07974 400 357       Email: suzanne.quarton@ncn.ac.uk

WE RECOMMEND.........(highly!)

We recommend this: http://www.belgrade.co.uk/event/we-love-you-city a fantastic new play by Nick Walker about Coventry City football club. We saw it this time last year and LOVED IT!

It opens next week.......and you'll love it whether you like football or not. We guarantee it!


Kate Chapman
Theatre Writing Partnership
Chief Executive and Artistic Director

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 
- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 
- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 



DIGITAL EDGE

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
How can you create characters and situations using social media and digital technologies?
How does audience participation influence and shape the story?
How can you build multimedia narratives which resonate within a live theatre space?
We are looking for innovative approaches which respond to the way in which digital interactions are now an intrinsic part of most people’s social existence, and which explore how social media can support creative interaction between practitioners, and between practitioners and audiences.
The Brief
Edge Hill University, North West Playwrights and Capital Theatre Festival 2012 invite proposals from writers and theatre practitioners for projects which explore the relationships between virtual and live spaces.
We encourage pitches for dramas which develop narratives over multiple platforms.
Your project must culminate in a live performance of approximately 30 minutes duration, to be shown at The Rose Theatre in autumn 2012.
The Process
Project proposals should be no more than 800 words in length and submitted online at www.edgehill.ac.uk/rosetheatre by Tuesday 1 May.
Up to 6 proposals will be selected and the shortlisted artists will be invited to pitch their ideas at Capital Theatre Festival at mac birmingham on Thursday 24 May before a panel of judges and a live audience. Support for travel costs will be available.
Candidates are encouraged to be as imaginative as possible in approaching the pitch – to explore innovative ways of creating an entertaining theatrical experience for the audience.
Up to two proposals will be selected, and will receive practical, dramaturgical and financial support to be developed towards a live showing at a special event at the Rose Theatre, Edge Hill, in Autumn 2012.
Support to include:
Space to work at Edge Hill
Dramaturgy/mentoring provided by NWP and Edge Hill staff
Travel costs
Accommodation
Production costs – to be agreed.
If you would like further clarification, or an informal discussion about the project, please contatct Chris Bridgman at North West Playwrights – newplaysnw@hotmail.com or 0161 237 1978.
Further Reading
For ideas, provocations and previous work in this area, see:
Kate Chapman
Theatre Writing Partnership
Chief Executive and Artistic Director

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 
- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 
- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 


3 tickets left for workshop TONIGHT

There are 3 places left for Sarah Dickenson's workshop for theatre writers at 6pm TONIGHT at Mansfield Palace Theatre. It costs just £5 and lasts until 8.30pm. Sarah is Senior Reader at Soho Theatre and Writer's Centre in London. Call Mansfield Palace to grab the last few places!


Kate Chapman
Theatre Writing Partnership
Chief Executive and Artistic Director

0115 9474361

THEATRE WRITING PARTNERSHIP IS CLOSING DOWN AT THE END OF JUNE 2012.

OUR FINAL PROJECTS ARE:

MAKING TRACKS 
- a series of travel bursaries to support seven new theatre projects led by writers and artists in the East Midlands: Andy Barrett, Michael Pinchbeck, Jane Upton, Mufaro Makubika, The Gramophones, Amanda Whittington, Laura Lomas and Esther Richardson.

UNEARTHING TOWTHORPE 
- a web app to allow families to explore the grounds of Belton House near Grantham. A collaboration between a playwright, a sound designer and 2 digital technologists supported by the Breath of Fresh Air programme. 



Twelve Little Objects of Hope

This April Nottingham based writer and performer Andy Barrett will be travelling by train to Pristina where he will meet with twelve writers from Kosovo. Once there he will hand over twelve objects to this group of writers and tell the stories attached to them. These will be stories of hope. In return he will be given twelve objects from the writers in Pristina, also containing stories of hope, which he will bring back to the East Midlands.

Andy is now looking for the twelve objects and stories to take with him. If you are a writer and you are based in the East Midlands then he would like to hear from you. These objects must be small. If they are valuable to you and you wish them to be returned they can be photographed, and the image of the object will instead be handed over. The objects must have a story contained within or around it that has a real connection with hope; this may be personal, it may be political, or it may be somewhere inbetween.

These stories and objects will either be collected in person by Andy, or can be received by post or email with a story attached to it – either in text form or as an audio recording. The stories that are shared in Pristina may go on to form part of a performance that is created from this journey and this exchange. All those who share their objects and stories will be invited to meet up to hear the stories that have been received, in return, from Pristina. The hope is that this journey is the beginning of a relationship between writers here in the East Midlands and in Kosovo.

If you would like to contribute to this process then please contact Andy to discuss what happens next - barrettthescrivener@tiscali.co.uk / 07986 594395 - by Monday March 19th.  

This project has been funded by Theatre Writing Partnership and is part of the Making Tracks Project - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-Tracks/291796104195977

BBC looking for THE NEXT BIG SITCOM

BBC Writersroom & BBC Comedy Commissioning have joined forces to launch Laugh Track, a second nationwide talent search to find new comedy gold.

What are we looking for? The Next Big Studio Sitcom: the hardest thing to get right, but brilliant when it works.

Porridge… Ab Fab... Miranda… Only Fools and Horses… The Kumars at No. 42… what will be the next big comedy & do you know someone who could write it?

We want writers who can tell original stories, invent characters and catchphrases that make us laugh out loud and tease the audience to come back for more. The challenge is to write an original comedy studio script with series potential. And we’re looking for writers that reflect modern Britain – comedy voices that have not yet been heard, and talent that’s just bursting to get out.

If you know any writers who don’t have a broadcast credit, but who may just have the next big sitcom hit –please forward details about Laugh Track to them now.

Full details can be found here and any questions or queries can be sent to writersroom@bbc.co.uk

We're delighted our panel of judges will include the one and only Dawn French, along with Cheryl Taylor (Controller, Comedy Commissioning) and Kate Rowland (Creative Director, New Writing, BBC).

Entrants could be in line not just for a masterclass on how to write studio sitcom, but also an intensive week away developing their idea hand-in-hand with BBC comedy producers and established comedy writing talent.

Successful candidates may get the chance to have their work performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at our Sitcom Showcase at the Studio in MediaCity, Salford.

**Laugh Track is open for entries from 1 March 2012, and the deadline is 9am, Wednesday 21st March 2012**

Thanks

Kate Chapman
Theatre Writing Partnership
Chief Executive and Artistic Director

0115 9474361


A theatre writing workshop in Mansfield not to be missed!

TWP and Mansfield Palace are hosting a workshop for theatre writers by Sarah Dickenson from Soho Theatre. Please do come along and if you can't make it please do spread the word.

Developing Your Voice and Being Heard

 

Come and unearth the elements of your own unique playwriting style in this practical workshop led by Soho Theatre’s Senior Reader, Sarah Dickenson. Through dynamic practical exercises and lively discussion, participants will explore ways into to developing distinctive dialogue, memorable characters and sparkling settings for bold, exciting and authentic theatre. Sarah will also offer participants an overview of the activity and opportunities for writers at Soho Theatre and generate discussion on writers’ experience of the UK’s New Writing Scene and how and where to place your particular kind of work.

 

DATE: THURSDAY 29 MARCH
TIME: 6.00-8.30PM
VENUE: UPSTAIRS LOUNGE (MANSFIELD PALACE THEATRE)
PRICE: £5

 

TO BOOK:
BOX OFFFICE: 01623 633133

 

Mansfield Palace Theatre
Leeming Street
Mansfield
Notts
NG18 1NG

 

We recommend these courses with the fantastic Ola Animashawun

Concise and precise, weekend Creative Writing Workshops for people with the passion, drive and desire to write but not the time or space to sit down and get it down on the page. 

‘We all have a novel or a play or a film inside us struggling to get out, yet few of us ever get around to starting work on it. That’s where Euphoric Ink and their writing courses can help you to take the first steps.’ Allan McLaughlin, Journalist (50 Connect, Older is Wiser) 

From where to start and what story to tell, to how to structure it with fully rounded believable characters. 

Euphoric Ink has over 25 years of experience - inspiring and guiding people through the process of bringing their stories to life on the page and for the stage. 
We run weekend playwriting courses in a relaxed and friendly environment, inviting aspiring writers to draw on their own personal experience to get those creative juices to flow. 

Euphoric Ink believes in keeping things simple, whilst always having fun. So no early mornings. No late finishes. Everything is taken care of: food, drinks, writing materials, and yes, even chocolate. 

The next weekend course is in London on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2012. 
For more information, including how to book your place, click here to visit our website, or emailinfo@euphoricink.co.uk

CHESTERFIELD PLAYWRIGHT'S FESTIVAL: CALL FOR SCRIPTS

The Pomegranate Theatre continues to encourage Theatre Companies to produce new plays for its drama programme (this year’s Playwright’s Festival features a brand new piece of theatre with original music, entitled ‘Cuckoo – Tales of the Chesterfield Canal’). Since 2002 we have been actively promoting it through the New Playwrights’ Festival and are delighted to be able to announce more exciting new projects for the future

The Twelfth Festival, to be held in March 2013, we will be looking to short list new pieces of work to be performed on the stage as rehearsed readings in front of an audience and invited judges. The audience and judges will decide which pieces will go through to the final at the end of the week.

The prize for the winning piece will be £250.  

Scripts can be in any style, be fact-based or fictional, and should be around 30 minutes in length. All pieces should be designed to be performed at The Pomegranate Theatre. 

 Scripts should be for no more than 4 professional actors.

The Closing Date for all entries is 30th July 2012.  Successful entrants will be notified by 31st August 2012. 

 

We are particularly looking for participants keen to develop their skills and show an excitement and enthusiasm for the craft of theatre writing. This is a unique opportunity for new writers to work in the professional theatre. Accordingly they will be expected to commit fully to the process including attending some rehearsals and performances of their work.

The Pomegranate is always keen to work with more established writers to ensure that new theatre writing continues to have a home in Derbyshire. For information please contact Carole Copeland at the theatre on 01246 345215 or email  HYPERLINK "mailto:carole.copeland@chesterfield.gov.uk" carole.copeland@chesterfield.gov.uk