2015/16 Through performance, participation and learning, Dundee Rep’s pioneering Creative Learning team creates opportunities that enrich and develop the creative potential of schools, colleges, young people and members of the local community.
Technical Theatre Workshops Our Technical Theatre Workshops give pupils the opportunity to learn about theatre lighting, sound and stage management. Working alongside theatre professionals, this 2.5 hour hands-on practical workshop will culminate in a small performance on the Rep’s mainstage where participants will use their new skills to operate and run an extract from the play.
Workshop dates Tue 1 March Wed 2 March Tue 8 March Wed 9 March
Times 2pm – 4.30pm
Cost £150 (£130 Dundee City Council Schools)
Our Autumn 2015 workshops on the set of The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil sold out in record time. Therefore our next available workshops will take place in Spring 2016 on the set of our production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, directed and designed by Kenny Miller. With the workshops running during late afternoon, why not combine your visit to the theatre with a trip to the performance in the evening? Each workshop can accommodate a maximum of 25 pupils. For further information or to request a workshop booking form, please contact Heather Cassidy on hcassidy@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660. Tickets to see the production of Witness for the Prosecution can be booked as soon as the Spring season launches at the beginning of January 2016. Please direct all ticket enquiries to our Box Office on 01382 223530. Please note that there are no tickets included with the cost of the workshop.
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NT Connections 500 Project dates Directors Weekend at National Theatre Fri 2 – Sun 4 October Home Performances February – March Performances at Dundee Rep Thu 5 – Sun 8 May
Cost £450 NT Connections is able to offer some bursaries to companies requiring financial support
Further information Please contact Lisa Williamson on lwilliamson@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660. Alternatively you can contact the NT Connections team on connections@nationaltheatre.org.uk or phone 020 7452 3313
The National Theatre’s Connections festival turns 21 in 2016 and to celebrate the National Theatre will be working with 500 secondary schools and youth theatres to stage their biggest festival to date. Connections is the National Theatre’s annual festival which promotes theatre-making for 13-19 year olds across the UK. The festival offers an incredible opportunity for young theatre companies to produce one of the specially commissioned plays written by leading playwrights for young performers, and to perform at a leading regional theatre in the UK. It provides opportunities to learn about the whole theatre-making process including performance, set design and costumes, light and sound operation and stage management. th
For the 20 anniversary, the National Theatre has selected 12 of the very best plays out of the 150 they have commissioned for young people since 1995. http://connections.nationaltheatre.org.uk Follow the festival @NTConnections #Connections500
Careers Day Interested in a career in theatre? Then come along to our Careers Day to find out more! Take part in workshops led by industry professionals, chat to college and university representatives from across Scotland and find out everything you need to know about routes into the industry. For further information about our Careers Day, please contact Lisa Williamson on lwilliamson@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660.
Date Tue 3 November
Time 4pm – 7pm
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Enterprise @ the Rep This unique event involves 60 young people working alongside arts professionals across all departments of Dundee Rep for two whole days, supporting the young people in developing their skills for learning, life and work.
Project dates Assemblies Mon 31 August – Fri 18 September Application deadline Mon 28 September Interviews Thu 29 – Fri 30 October Enterprise days Thu 3 – Fri 4 December Presentation and performance of work Fri 4 December at 5pm
Cost
In the first three weeks of September, we will visit each Dundee City Council school to promote the opportunity during assemblies for S4, S5 and S6 pupils. Interested pupils then go through a job application, shortlisting, interview and selection process, allowing them to develop vital skills which will support them in pursuing their educational goals and career aspirations. Those who are successful at the interview stage will then participate in the project at Dundee Rep under the mentorship of our professional staff. We have opportunities in the following departments: Acting, Directing, Dance, Costume Design, Creative Learning, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Scenic Design, Stage Management and Press, Media and Marketing. This year’s Enterprise @ the Rep will be inspired by our Christmas production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches. For further information about Enterprise, please contact Heather Cassidy on hcassidy@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660. Please note that this opportunity is only available to pupils who attend Dundee City Council secondary schools.
Free, following an interview process
Work Experience “My week doing Work Experience at Dundee Rep has been fantastic and motivational and it has helped me with decisions about my future. Everyone was so nice and I’m now really thinking about working in theatre as a career. Thanks to the Rep for making it such an unforgettable week.” – Jacob, age 15 At Dundee Rep Theatre our Work Experience programme operates on a carousel system providing each young person with the opportunity to spend a morning and afternoon in a different department of the theatre over the course of a week. This creates a diverse timetable of activities, giving a broad overview of the variety of jobs available in the theatre.
Dates Various, September – June
For further information about Work Experience, please contact Heather Cassidy on hcassidy@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660.
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Masterclasses for Young People and Adults Directing: The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil Wed 16 Sep, 6-8pm (14-18s) or Thu 24 Sep, 6-8pm (adults) £25 (£20 concession) / Call Box Office on 01382 223530 Delivered by Director Joe Douglas, this practical workshop will explore the process behind bringing the show to stage, key directorial decisions and why the play is as relevant today as it was when written.
Clowning and Physical Theatre Tue 20 Oct, 12-4pm (14-18s) or 5-9pm (adults) £40 (£32 concession) / Call Box Office on 01382 223530 Join theatre maker Scott Gilmour in this exciting workshop where participants will explore physical theatre and clowning techniques.
Teacher’s CPD Throughout the year we offer a number of opportunities for teachers to refresh and develop their skills. If you are a teacher within Dundee City Council, these opportunities will be circulated to you internally. If you teach outwith Dundee, please contact us on the details below to find out about upcoming opportunities. We are also happy to develop bespoke packages tailored to the training needs within a cluster or council area. For further information regarding CPD, please contact Gemma Nicol on gnicol@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660.
Backstage Tours Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Rep? Why not bring your class on a Backstage Tour of the theatre and find out how the magic is created … Tours are suitable for all ages and we can accommodate a maximum of 30 pupils at a time. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and costs £65. For further information or to book a Backstage Tour, please contact Mary Sandeman on msandeman@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone 01382 342660.
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Autumn/Winter Season Highlights We are delighted to offer a range of exciting productions over the next few months as part of our programme for children, young people and schools. We’ve also got some fantastic productions in the pipeline for Spring 2016, so don’t forget to have a look at our website when the next season launches in January. Dundee Rep Ensemble presents
The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil by John McGrath directed by Joe Douglas designed by Graham McLaren lighting by Kate Bonney music & sound by Aly Macrae and Michael John McCarthy The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil tells the history and the tragedy of Scotland, performed as a Highland ceilidh, with song, humour and drama intermixed, creating a unique theatrical event that remains as vital and relevant today as it was when 7:84 Scotland first presented it.
Performance times Wed 9 – Sat 26 Sep at 7.30pm Matinees: Thu 17, Sat 19, Thu 24 & Sat 26 Sep at 2.30pm Post-show discussion: Wed 16 Sep
Ticket price Standard £10 (previews), £15 (matinees), £19 (TueThu), £21 (Fri-Sat), Concs £4 off, Pupils £9 One teacher free per 10 pupils
Ticket bookings Please contact Box Office on 01382 223530
Resources and Masterclasses A resource pack about the production will be available following the run. For further information, please contact Rep Creative Learning on 01382 342660 Director Joe Douglas is also leading two Masterclasses on Directing, one for young people and one for adults. Please see page 4 for full details and contact Box Office on 01382 223530 to book your place
The Cheviot was given its first public airing at the ‘What Kind of Scotland?’ conference in Edinburgh on 31 March 1973, followed by its first public performance a month later at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. What no one could have predicted at those first performances was that this revolutionary theatrical event would soon become a cornerstone of contemporary Scottish theatre. This extraordinary play looks at the exploitation and economic changes in the Scottish Highlands throughout history; from the ruthless evictions of Highland crofters making way for the more economically viable Cheviot sheep in the 18th century, to the development of stag hunts in game parks in the 19th century and finally the exploitation of resources during the North Sea Oil boom of the 1970s. Written as a musical drama by John McGrath, it explores stories and experiences of Scotland’s land, sea and people across the centuries. Dundee Rep Ensemble has uniquely been granted permission to present this pivotal piece of Scottish theatre in the first professional production on the Scottish stage in more than twenty years.
Follow #Cheviot @DundeeRep on Twitter and Instagram Dundee Rep Theatre Secondary Newsletter Page 5
As well as term-time productions, here’s a treat for the October holidays … Vox Motus, National Theatre of Scotland and Tianjin Children’s Art Theatre presents
Dragon written by Oliver Emanuel conceived by Jamie Harrison, Oliver Emanuel and Candice Edmunds A show for adults, teenagers and children with vivid imaginations; Dragon returns to the Scottish stage following international tour dates and a run at the Edinburgh International Festival.
Performance times Wed 14 – Sat 17 Oct at 7pm Matinees: Thu 15 & Sat 17 Oct at 2pm Audio Described: Sat 17 Oct at 2pm
Suitable for Age 9+ This show is completely accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing audiences
Running time 70 minutes, no interval
Ticket prices Standard £14 (Wed-Thu & matinees), £19 (Fri-Sat) Concs £2 off, Children £9, Family Ticket £44 (WedThu) or £52 (Fri-Sat)
Ticket bookings Please contact Box Office on 01382 223530
Tommy can’t sleep. He hasn’t been able to since his mum died a year ago. Since then, life has gone from bad to worse. His dad is a grief-stricken mess, his big sister ignores him, and he’s become a target for the school bully. Then, one restless night, Tommy goes to his bedroom window, throws back the curtain and … … a dragon is looking at him. Straight in the eye. Intoxicating and exciting, frightening but protective, the dragon burns with all the anger and hurt that Tommy feels and makes anything seem possible. With a Dragon as his new best friend, he’s never alone and suddenly life is fun again. But as time goes on and his dragon grows more and more powerful, things start to get out of hand and it seems only Tommy can stop the mysterious fires that have started igniting across the city. Dragon is an extraordinarily visual story told without words, featuring fast-moving physical theatre, puppetry and original music.
“One of those theatrical experiences that will live forever in the memory.” The Observer ★★★★ "As enthralling for adults as it was for children, it was a riveting magical experience." Sunday Mail ★★★★★ Best Show for Children and Young People: UK Theatre Awards 2014 Winner Best Technical Presentation: Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland 2013/14
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Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park and Eastbourne Theatres presents
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald adapted by Stephen Sharkey directed by Eliot Giuralarocca musical director Ellie Verkerk Immersing you in the decadence of America’s ‘Jazz Age’, The Great Gatsby is brought to life in this sizzling new stage adaptation from nationally acclaimed Blackeyed Theatre. Recreating the sights, sounds and feel of America’s ‘Roaring Twenties’ as seen through the eyes of Nick Carraway, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece is a brilliant evocation of a society obsessed with wealth and status. Adapted by Stephen Sharkey, whose work includes The May Queen (Liverpool Everyman) and The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui (Liverpool Playhouse/Nottingham Playhouse), this exciting new production features fabulous live music alongside the timeless language of Fitzgerald’s Great American Novel to create a truly fresh and inspiring theatrical experience.
Performance times Mon 2 – Fri 6 Nov at 7.30pm Matinee: Thu 5 Nov at 2.30pm
“One of the most innovative, audacious companies working in contemporary English theatre.” The Stage
Suitable for Age 12+
Running time 120 minutes, excluding interval
Ticket prices Standard £15 (matinee), £19 (Mon-Thu), £21 (Fri) Concs £4 off, Pupils £9 One teacher free per 10 pupils
Ticket bookings Please contact Box Office on 01382 223530
Resources Blackeyed Theatre has an Education Pack available for download on their website. Go to: www.blackeyedtheatre.co.uk/education
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Dundee Rep Ensemble presents
The Witches by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood
“My darling boy, you won’t last long in this world if you don’t know how to spot a witch when you see one.” Witches really are detestable creatures.
Performance times Thu 26 Nov – Thu 31 Dec, various times Schools performances 10am Nov: Mon 30 Dec: Tue 1, Wed 2, Tue 8, Wed 9, Thu 10, Fri 11, Tue 15, Wed 16, Thu 17, Mon 21
They disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise. They don’t ride around on broomsticks; they don’t even wear black cloaks and hats. Luckily one boy and his grandmother know how to recognise these vile creatures, but can they get rid of them for good?
1.30pm Dec: Tue 1, Tue 8, Wed 9
Join our young hero as he discovers the real truth about real witches.
Suitable for
This is the story of courage in the face of a fiendish plan hatched by the Grand High Witch and the most mischievous gathering of witches ever assembled.
All ages
Ticket price
Award-winning Dundee Rep Theatre has brought you two enthralling Roald Dahl Christmas productions and this year is excited to bring you number three with Roald Dahl’s most deliciously monstrous story, The Witches.
Pupils £9, Teachers £12 One teacher free per 10 pupils
Ticket bookings Please contact Box Office on 01382 223530
Relaxed Performance There will be a relaxed performance of The Witches on Sat 12 December at 2.30pm. A Relaxed Performance is designed with the aim of welcoming people with a learning disability, Down’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Condition or sensory and communication disorders and making them feel entirely comfortable at Dundee Rep. This particular performance of The Witches will see a relaxed attitude to noise and movement with some small changes made to the lighting of the stage and the sound effects included in the performance.
Please visit our website at www.dundeerep.co.uk For all general enquiries, please contact Mary Sandeman on msandeman@dundeereptheatre.co.uk or phone on 01382 342660 Dundee Rep Theatre Secondary Newsletter Page 8