Exchange 2018 Programme by National Theatre of Scotland

EXCHANGE2018

THU 5 JULY

7.25pm_San Marino 1972

Dundee Rep Young Company (Dundee)

9pm_The Happiness Project

TUE 3 JULY

Creative Electric (Edinburgh)

Ditto Theatre Company (London)

FRI 6 JULY

9pm_Remote Control

Albany Park Theatre Project (Chicago)

7.25pm_Rocket Girl

Performance Collective Stranraer (Stranraer)

7.25pm_Ofrenda 9pm_MARA

TNV (Malta)

WED 4 JULY

7.25pm_RESET: Framework & Fragments Mull Youth Theatre (Mull)

9pm_Glitter Face Reading Rep Young Company (Reading)

SAT 7 JULY

7.25pm_Austerity & Me

Ovalhouse Performance Company (London)

9pm_Game Face

Eden Court Collective (Inverness)

EXCHANGE TV Exchange TV returns, a dedicated online highlights channel produced by young local filmmakers. The team films and edits a daily package showing highlights from both the daytime and evening programme, including performances, interviews and features. A five minute broadcast is aired nightly before the performances and all videos can be viewed online daily. vimeo.com/groups/exchangetv2018 Exchange TV Produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Eden Court Kim Beveridge Producer Graeme Roger Associate Producer Mike Webster and Rhys Campbell Assistant Producers Exchange TV crew Georgia Ayres • Martha Cowie • James Walton • Fiona Cameron Suyin Smee • Oliver Short • Luke Mackenzie

THEATRE MAKERS OF NOW 10 NEW SHOWS BY YOUNG COMPANIES FROM CHICAGO, MALTA, ENGLAND & SCOTLAND Supported by the National Theatre of Scotland, each group has been given access to leading artists, encouraged to take risks, explore new approaches and create a piece of theatre that tells us about their lives and their universe. So prepare to be inspired, to think, to be provoked, to laugh, to cry, to learn. Now in its ninth year Exchange, the National Theatre of Scotland’s vibrant biennial festival for 16-25-year-olds, returns to Eden Court to support and showcase those devising and creating the new theatre of now. By day, the participants from the ten companies take part in a range of masterclasses, workshops and discussions. By night, their focus shifts to entertaining you. By the end of the week, they’ll have developed their theatre skills, exchanged ideas and made new friends. Ready to become the new generation of theatre innovators and instigators. Presented by National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Eden Court. Co-created by Simon Sharkey and Gillian Gourlay Creative partners: Sarah Rose Graber, Peter Lannon, Fraser McLeod, Martin O’Connor and Gillian Gourlay Karen Bryce Production Manager Emma Yeomans Stage Manager Neil McDowell Smith Lighting Technician

TUESDAY 3 JULY Rocket Girl

Remote Control

Ditto Theatre Company

Performance Collective Stranraer

7.25pm

The year is 1969 and the world is changing. Beehives and miniskirts are all the rage; everyone is listening to The Beatles; a bag of fish and chips cost you 25p; and NASA has just put the first man on the moon. The world is transfixed and everyone is watching, including eight-year-old Maisie Robinson. From the very moment she saw a man on the moon, Maisie knew that she was destined to be an astronaut. In her dreams she travelled beyond the earth’s atmosphere and flew amongst the brightest of stars. But unknown to Maisie, people had other plans about her future; after all, girls don’t do science, do they? Using an amalgamation of storytelling, puppetry and movement with an original score, Ditto Theatre Company invites you to join them in making the impossible possible, as one girl battles to become… Rocket Girl!

CAST AND CREATORS

Polly Bycroft-Brown • Mathieu Clay • Sophie Hatton Rob Hinwood • Rhea Locker-Marsh • Amber Wadey

THANKS TO: Everyone who donated to the

Crowdfunder & The Drayton Arms Theatre for their support. We’d also like to thank National Theatre of Scotland for this amazing opportunity, especially Pete for keeping us focused in rehearsals.

About Ditto Theatre Company Ditto are an award-winning family theatre company specialising in puppetry, movement and storytelling, with an aim to educate and inspire. Ditto Theatre Company was established in September 2016, shortly after its members graduated from East 15 Acting School’s BA Physical Theatre course. Upon graduating the company received the 2016 East 15 Graduate Award. With their debut show, Ingo’s War, Ditto were finalists for the 2017 Les Enfants Terribles Award and following on from their run at Brighton Fringe, became winners of the 2017 Reviews Hub: Beyond the Fringe Award. Following on from their success at Brighton Fringe, Ingo’s War ran at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing at the Pleasance. Whilst at Edinburgh, Ingo’s War was nominated for an Eddies Award. Ditto have previously worked alongside Tangled Feet as part of their year-long mentoring scheme for young and emerging theatre ensembles. The company is extremely excited to be a part of this year’s Exchange Programme with the National Theatre of Scotland and look forward to performing their latest adventure to Space!

9.30pm

Remote Control is a performance about being controlled by our remoteness (It’s nothing to do with TV Channel changers...) A verbatim inspired show about Stranraer, the second largest town, in the 3rd largest county in Scotland, whose nearest city is in Ireland... Perhaps a remarkably unremarkable place to grow up? Our show, created by a cast of young local talent, looks at what effect the area has had on us as we attempt to ‘adult’... Our show is about Farm Foods, town planning, historical references and that look you get in a local pub when you walk in... and you’re clearly not from there...

CAST AND CREATORS

Deborah Baker • Kimberley Marina Gray Iona McPhillips • Andraya Miller • Grant Redmond Jarad Rowan ..featuring the voice of Delores Maybelle Parker... Drew Taylor-Wilson Director and Writer Mairi Davidson Assistant Director Pete Lannon Creative Partner Drew Taylor-Wilson Designer Carolyn Yates Producer for PCS

THANKS TO: David Blane, Alison Mcauley and

the staff at the Ryan Centre, Shelby Johnston, Claire Williamson, Clara Bloomfield, Catherine Makin and all at YTAS, Mary’s Taxis and The Hollywood Trust.

About Performance Collective Stranraer Performance Collective Stranraer (PCS) exists as a conduit for young people’s ambitions based in and around Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. PCS aims to harness and extend what ambitions our members have, broaden their horizons, facilitate new collaborations and work with industry mentors to realise goals and improve skills. We make shows, we host workshops, we run mentoring sessions... we aim to always listen, and always be inclusive.

WEDNESDAY 4 JULY RESET: Framework & Fragments 7.25pm

Mull Youth Theatre Join our island girl as she discovers the LGBTQ+ community and the world outside her home. Mull Youth Theatre’s devised production explores gender issues from the perspective of young people growing up on a small Scottish island. This is their opportunity to voice their views as the next generation, and challenge the aspects of island culture they want to work to change. Time to reset.

CAST AND CREATORS

Flora Thomasson • Izzy Willis • Hannah Thorne Vicki Stevens • Zac Finch Kate Stevens Director and Writer

THANKS TO: Braw Holidays, Browns Tobermory

Glitter Face

9.30pm

Reading Rep Young Company Eight friends pick their way through a festival, looking for their missing friends and exploring how their world of hedonistic escapism both improves and deteriorates their mental health. Witty and humorous, Glitter Face aims to throw new light on the still taboo subject of mental health and discuss how its treatments change for those going through big transitions in life. It also challenges ideas and stereotypes and explores all the different meanings and interpretations of the phrase: just walk it off.

CAST AND CREATORS

Danielle Cross • Imoghen Delaney • Megan Dennis Megan Doyle • Rose Freeman • Ben Mitchell Ed O’Connor Derice Charles Stage Manager

THANKS TO: Katie Higgs, Sarah Rose Graber, Reading Rep and National Theatre of Scotland

and Kate Harvery

About Reading Rep Young Company About Mull Youth Theatre Mull Youth Theatre was formed in 2010 by its three founding members. In its eight years, the company has continued to expand and develop, now working with 80 children and young people weekly. Mull Youth Theatre offers creative opportunities to young people, working with the community, young professionals, and international companies. Our cast for RESET: Framework & Fragments, have been working together for over five years. They have formed a style of theatrical practice that works for them as an ensemble. Now in their final year of school, they are beyond thrilled that Exchange will be their final project before disbanding to go to university in September.

Reading Rep Young Company are an emerging company that aims to be fully autonomous, which includes taking ownership for all practical, producing, technical, marketing and fundraising roles. In an area where theatre is grossly underfunded and misconceived, the Young Company’s goal is to have their voices genuinely heard through making work by young people for young people with the aim to inspire change for the things they care about. Glitter Face follows Queer Fish which was selected for Youth Theatre Arts Scotland’s Chrysalis Festival, which was performed at the Traverse Theatre in November 2017.

THURSDAY 5 JULY San Marino 1972

The Happiness Project

9.00pm

Creative Electric

7.25pm

Plug it in. Switch it on. Hold it close. Don’t let me go.

‘Go on have a drink, pose for me, I like your collar, what kind of plane is that, it’s windy; let’s take one of all of us. Together now with us in it, all of us. Take a photo’

Plug it in. Switch it on. Hold it close. Don’t let me go.

Dundee Rep Young Company

Upstairs in the corner of the attic, in the far corner was a dusty box. Inside that box lay the half-forgotten memories of a family. Holiday snaps, smiling faces, souvenirs and sunshine. Until it happened. In this performance Dundee Rep Young Company attempt to bring the skeleton in the closet to life, to tell the secrets behind the pictures. To speculate about what happened in the market; to re-create what happened on the balcony; to re-imagine what happened in front of the mountain that day in San Marino, 1972. A story of coincidences, accidents, truths, half-truths and lies.

CAST AND CREATORS

Fin Avison • Jacob Dudgeon • Sally Fox Izaac Gaines • Lily Garget • Tara Glenn • Joe Kinnear Katie Lumsdaine • Spencer Mason

Plug it in. Switch it on. Hold it close. Don’t let me go. When was the last time someone held you? Creative Electric explore the need for non-sexual physical contact in our digitally charged era.

CAST AND CREATORS

Nicholas Alban • Rosalind McAndrew Georgia Dunn • Gregor Campbell Conor Macdonald • Alistair Maxwell • Ryan Lithgow Director Heather Marshall Choreographer Charlotte Mclean Producer Helen McIntosh Costumes Conor Macdonald Creative Partner Martin O’Connor The Happiness Project is supported by Young Scot, Leith Chooses and The City of Edinburgh Council.

THANKS TO: Dundee Rep production staff

THANKS TO: Hidden Door Festival, Dance Base,

About Dundee Rep Young Company

About Creative Electric

Our current company members have been meeting as a group for almost a year now. We love working together to explore ensemble driven theatre which is visually exciting and inventive in nature. We are curious about the world and enjoy exploring processes that allow us to investigate these curiosities.

Creative Electric create accessible socio-political theatre and performance for people that may not traditionally attend mainstream arts events. These have included: Sinking Horses a performative space, in which to explore, create and discuss what mental health is to an individual. Sinking Horses featured 3 40min performances of autobiographical work per day. Glittershit an audio installation for public toilets that explores the effects of MDMA on a young person over a 3 day period. Wonder an immersive playground for 16-25 year olds. Treat a durational performance work exploring the importance of self-care. Hey, I’m Alive! an endurance performance that explored the isolation of life shortening conditions by placing performers inside giant zorbs. Fragility a performance with and for young men that explores the pressures of sex. re:place a continuous art project that provides a creative outlet and basic living essentials for people living on the streets of Edinburgh.

and Stephanie Arsoska

We believe that theatre has the power to soothe and discomfort, to entertain and challenge, to provoke and affirm, to thrill you and to break your heart. We hope this performance does some, if not all, of these things!

Waverley Mall, The Biscuit Factory & Chris Scott.

FRIDAY 6 JULY Ofrenda 7.25pm

Albany Park Theater Project At an American Embassy in Ecuador, a young woman interviewing for a visa denies the culture burning fervidly in her heart. In Chicago, a man struggles to regain his connection with the world after the suicide of his sibling. In Damascus, a teen artist tries to capture the city she loves in her sketchbook as the bombs and gunfire of civil war creep ever closer. At a Chicago university, years before ‘undocumented and unafraid’ or DACA, a new student hangs La Virgencita in her dorm room, telling no one the secret of her immigration status. In front of Immigration & Customs Enforcement headquarters in the Chicago Loop, a grandmother gives a press conference vowing to fight a deportation order. A love song, a requiem and an incantation, Ofrenda is inspired by real-life stories about how people turn here into home in the wake of social, political and personal upheaval.

CAST AND CREATORS

Ariel Burns • Jennifer Calderon • Maria Duran Nichole Espineli • Atreyu Kaunert • Ashlie Hawkins Samantha Romero • Mariana Rosas • Anabel Sava Dayana Soto • Yailin Tejeda Isaac Gomez Stephanie Paul Maggie Popadiak David Feiner Mikhail Fiksel* Shain Longbehn Izumi Inaba Kotryna Hilko Joyanna Cox Elizabeth Mak Nicole Lang Scott C. Neale* Ellie Terrell Jackie Valdez Eric Reading Schantelle Alonzo Trina McGee Monica M. Brown Stephany Perez

Writer Director Director Producer Composer & Sound Designer Assistant Sound Designer Costume Designer Costume Manager Assistant Costume Designer Lighting and Projections Designer Assistant Lighting Designer Scenic Designer Objects Designer Assistant Objects Designer Objects Engineer Lead Amira Illustrator Production Manager Production Stage Manager Company Manager

*Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829

THANKS TO: AFIRE, Michael Aguhar, Cindy

Agustin, Albany Park Defense Network, Common Wealth Theatre, Kevin Coval, Lilia Escobar, Jesus Gonzalez, Gissela Gualoto, Alicja Januszewska, ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights), Jo Littrell, Ned McGregor and Mike Moore at Barbizon Chicago, Mark McKinney at Rosco, Luis Millan, National Immigrant Justice Center, NewMoon Chicago, Jose Olivarez, OCAD (Organized Communities against Deportations), PASO (West Suburban Action Project), SEIU, Protection for All, Genoveva Ramirez, Mony Ruiz-Velasco, Karen Salmon, Batoul Tahar, Third Rail Projects. With special thanks to the full Chicago cast.

About Albany Park Theater Project Albany Park Theater Project is a creative community of young people that devises theatre inspired by real-life stories from immigrant and workingclass communities and with a mission to inspire a more just and joyful world. We make our home in one of the most ethnically diverse immigrant neighborhoods in the United States, Albany Park on the northwest side of Chicago. APTP’s youth ensemble tells the real-life stories of those whose lives are not normally represented on stage, amplifying the voices both of the youth telling the stories and the individuals whose stories are being shared. Since its founding, APTP teens have created 20 original, evening-length plays, performed for more than 50,000 people, and opened Albany Park’s first performing arts space. APTP is a 2016 recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, which recognizes exceptional nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated creativity and impact. APTP has also received the Midwest Light of Human Rights Award from the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Chicago Tribune and CBS 2 Chicago critic Chris Jones called APTP’s 2016 production of Learning Curve ‘a very sophisticated piece of theater” and proclaimed it “not to be missed.’ In The New Yorker, Brian Schaeffer called Learning Curve ‘both a scathing indictment of a defective system and a tender study of the awesome awakening that makes being a teenager so frightening and fun.’

FRIDAY 6 JULYCONTINUED

MARA 9.00pm

TNV

From inventors and scientists, to artists and activists. From musicians and politicians, to writers, to fighters, to mothers. MARA charts the female story by means of physical theatre, elements of verbatim theatre, live-sound design and electro-acoustic music. A multidisciplinary journey through time performed by an all-female cast, highlighting the fact that every story is worth telling, and that no voice should be silenced.

CAST AND CREATORS

The New Victorians Composition/Production/Director Maria Cassar Assistant Director Robyn Vella Technician Denise Mulholland Dramaturg Gillian Gourlay NTS Mentor Sergio Costa Sound Engineer Christopher Gatt Sound Technician Matthew Gellel Light Designer/Operator Jamie Iain Genovese Photographer Sean Borg TNV Company Assistant Producer

THANKS TO: National Theatre of Scotland for

the opportunity to perform MARA as part of the Exchange Festival. None of this would be possible without the support of Valletta 2018 – European Capital of Culture, the Malta Tourism Authority, University of Malta School of Performing Arts, FINO, Fontanella Tea Garden, St Michael’s Junior School, and finally the Mackintosh Foundation.

About TNV The New Victorians are a Maltese songwriting sister-duo. Philippa is a multi-instrumentalist, theatre maker and recent MA Graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, whilst Bettina is a classical pianist and MA Audio Production Graduate from Westminster University. They have a keen interest in the dramaturgical potential of live sound manipulation and original electro-acoustic music in theatre. 2011 saw the conception of The New Victorians, following their success at the Alchemy Songwriting Competition in the US. In 2015, they launched the debut album SEEKER SEEKER, with singles like Keep Me In Love, and in 2016, their theatrical debut MARA, played to sold out houses at the Manoel Studio Theatre. Most recently they launched their latest EP titled Silence, with which they opened for multi-platinum artist Anastacia, on her European Tour – Evolution. It’s a pleasure for us to welcome you to MARA. It has been an absolute joy learning about these inspirational women and bringing them to life with an equally inspiring cast. We hope this encourages you to go on discovering the stories of all the ordinary women who’ve achieved extraordinary things.

SATURDAY 7 JULY Austerity & Me

Game Face

Ovalhouse Performance Company

Eden Court Collective

The big word we’re told so little about. It’s reported to have caused over 120,000 deaths in the UK to date. It’s arguably the most pressing socio-political issue of our time. But what exactly is it? How does it actually affect us? And can we do anything about it?

Born winner? Sore loser? Not fussed?

7.25pm

Austerity & Me is an artistic exploration of personal accounts by 18-24 year olds living in South London today. Told through spoken word and physical theatre, this work offers the opportunity for their voices to be heard in the struggle for survival against the violence austerity inflicts.

CAST AND CREATORS

Joba Bojuwoye • Sarah Divilly • Chloe Florence Amina Koroma • Ele McKenzie Lou Mussington-Boreham • Eyiara Olugunna Amma Osei-Owusu • Izel Osman • Abigail Sewell Serita Williams Mahri Reilly Titilola Dawudu Sam Evans Rebecca Hitchcox Alex Clarke Emily Wallace Fraser MacLeod

Director/Producer Project Manager Production Manager Stage Manager Video Designer/Animation Voice Over Artist NToS Creative Partner

THANKS TO:

Potent Whisper, National Theatre of Scotland, Chris Dixon and All at Ovalhouse. With sincere thanks to Stuart Taylor for generously supporting the Ovalhouse Performance Company.

About Ovalhouse Performance Company Ovalhouse Performance Company is a brand new performance collective for 18-24 year olds South London. Austerity & Me is their debut production.

9.00pm

Spin the wheel, pick three from the top and don’t drop the ball. Back the winner in this bold, quick fire exploration of competition. Get your game face on.

CAST AND CREATORS

Ally Davidson • David Mackillop • Hannah Nimmo Mairi Strong • Myfanwy Morgan • Stephanie Harper

THANKS TO:

Lou Brodie, Alice Nairn and Team CREATIVE at Eden Court.

About Eden Court Collective Eden Court Collective are a group of performers from across the Highland region who meet to create exciting, contemporary theatre.

ABOUT NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND

SUPPORT NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND

The National Theatre of Scotland is a Theatre Without Walls. Since the Company was established in 2006, we have created over 280 productions, performing on the world’s largest stages and in tiny village halls.

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You can find us on the ferry, in a castle and in the local pub. We’re on the stages, in the galleries and on your screens. We are the voice in your ear as you roam the streets, the dragon in the night sky and the beat of the battalion drum. We are the communities with something to say, the audiences who demand to be heard and the vast creative talent of Scotland and beyond. Our aspiration is to tell the stories that need to be told and to take work to wherever audiences are to be found. Artistic Director and Chief Executive Jackie Wylie Chair Seona Reid DBE

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Our donors and supporters have helped us nurture and develop the careers of hundreds of actors, playwrights, designers and directors. Each year we work with thousands of young people from across Scotland on projects that build confidence and transform lives. There are many ways to support and be part of our work creating vital, dynamic theatre. Join us and help us achieve our ambition. To learn more, please visit: nationaltheatrescotland.com/support To speak to us about the opportunities available, contact: Adam McDougall, Development Manager T: 0141 221 0970 E: adam.mcdougall@nationaltheatrescotland.com

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