Upcoming
workshops
Havisham
Musical Theatre Skills Development; From Page to Stage
Have you ever wondered how a musical is created?
Come and take part in this incredible opportunity to ensure you are part of the magic!
Spend a week working with the Creative Director of Pleasure Dome Theatre Company to develop and rehearse an abridged version of Sam Baker and Sophy Layzell’s brand new musical,
‘Havisham: The Greatest Expectation’.
While Alexander Hamilton was busy setting out the constitution for a new world, Amelia Havisham is born into one of weighty expectation. As an heiress with independence, why does she sacrifice everything for one man?
This musical tells the story of the hopes and dreams of Amelia Havisham who is better known in Charles Dicken’s novel Great Expectations as the bitter and twisted spinster who causes Pip such heartache and disappointment. But who was she before she was left jilted at the altar? Why didn’t she listen to her best friend?
You’ll be working with an experienced team; the professional theatre maker Helena Payne as well the composer and scriptwriter to find out the inspiration behind this exciting new project.
As the group works towards an abridged performance of Act 1 at the end of the week you will have the opportunity to be involved in ensemble work, singing and dancing as well as exploring and helping develop parts of the text. There are also some great solo roles to get stuck into.
Director Helena Payne brings professional productions to the South West and is always on the lookout for new fresh talent to work with. Don’t miss out!
Dates: Monday 23rd – Friday 27th August 2021
Times: 10am-4pm daily but 11.30am-4pm on Thursday
Venue: St Michael’s Church, Church Street, Alcombe, Minehead TA24 6BL
Who: Anyone aged 13-26
Cost: £60 for a 5-day workshop
For more information or to book a place please send us a message via our contact form on this website.
Part funded by Take Art.
Spreading the work
Unique programme for Young People’s Theatre-Making comes to West Somerset.
Starting this summer, Somerset based Actiontrack Performance Company is bringing a unique new theatre opportunity for young people in West Somerset. Funded by Arts Council England and in partnership with Minehead’s Fusion Young Performers ‘Spreading the Work’ offers young theatre makers a year-long programme of workshops, masterclasses, go-and-see opportunities and performance across a wide range of theatre-making that will lead to the creation of a new youth theatre group.
Actiontrack have been creating theatre, music and spectacle with communities from across the world for over 30 years. This has included work in Brazil, Belarus, the US, Zambia and all over mainland Europe. Nick Brace their Artistic Director said: ‘We are really looking forward to bringing this to West Somerset. We’ve had time over the last few months to talk with youth theatre leaders and young people to plan a really exciting programme. This project will bring a range of professional theatre-makers in to give workshops on a whole range of theatre-making techniques with the longer term ambition of working towards the creation of a new youth theatre company who can carry on using these experiences, build more work and pass on more skills in the future.‘
Charlie Kellett, one of the area’s young theatre-makers is also looking forward to the opportunity: 'I am really excited by this idea’ he said, ‘it’s something Minehead will benefit from enormously. It's a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn new skills, make new friends and explore new parts of theatre-making.'
Francesca Wood who has regularly been involved in productions and concerts with Fusion Young Performers is also excited by the prospect: “This is a really exciting opportunity to work with Nick and the Actiontrack team to be a part of something that is creative, new and inspiring.”
Both Charlie and Francesca have been involved in planning of the new programme alongside local teachers and leaders. Sarah-Jane Cross Co-Founder of Fusion Young Performers added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for local young people to get involved in a group project right from the start and make a real difference to how it develops and grows. We’re hoping that it will appeal as much to those who have never been part of a theatre group before, as well as to those with some experience of this kind of project. We’re also keen to encourage a mix of skills so, whether you’re a writer, performer, lighting/sound designer, costume/props maker, composer, or not sure but you know it sounds exciting then we’d love to see you there’.
The programme starts with a taster day in the form of an introductory Theatre Workshop Day on Tuesday 31st August, from 10:00 – 4:00 led by Nick Brace at St Michael the Archangel Church in Alcombe TA24 6BL where young people can come and find out more and start to get involved. The age-range is 13-21 and the cost of the day is £10. Following this, the programme will start in October half-term and run over a series of 2-3 day workshops until the summer of 2022.
For more information or to book a place on the Workshop Day please send us a message through the contact form on this website or contact Nick Brace (Actiontrack): action.track@btconnect.com
