National Theatre Connections Festival at Derby Theatre

A festival of theatre, new writing, performance and workshops for 11-25 year olds at Derby Theatre! derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 59 39 39

Photography by Vicky Grout. Design by National Theatre Graphic Design Studio

Wed 1 – Sat 4 May

Welcome to the National Theatre Connections Festival, an exciting four-day festival of new writing for young people aged 11-25.

Each year, the National Theatre asks ten writers to create new plays for performance by young companies all over the country. We are thrilled to be welcoming seven local companies to our festival this year. Not only is Connections a fantastic opportunity to see talented young people bring these new plays to our stage, but we also offer an exciting programme of workshops led by professionals in the industry, a chance to meet and be inspired by other creative young people and an opportunity to enjoy the Festival with friends and to make new ones.

The Shows Wednesday 1 May 7.30pm ACTS: Terra/Earth Creatio: Class

Thursday 2 May 7.30pm Tiptoe School of Performing Arts: Chaos

The Oaks Academy: Stuff

Friday 3 May 7.30pm The Young Rep Acting School: Chaos

Saturday 4 May 7.30pm Garrick Young Rep: Flesh

CAST Ensemble: Flesh

Connections 2019 Workshops Derby Theatre’s Youth Ambassadors have programmed a range of workshops and events to run alongside this year’s Connections performances; from dance to scare acting and cake decorating to script writing, we promise there is something for everyone!

If you are coming to a workshop, why not pick up a half-price ticket to a performance? Bargain!

Wednesday 1 May Dance with Company Chameleon 5 – 7pm

Highly physical with a strong focus on self-expression and creativity, participants will gain a unique insight into Company Chameleon’s work, distinct movement language and creative approach. Some dance experience recommended. Please wear clothes for movement and bring a bottle of water with you.

Why not see the evening’s performances afterwards; featuring a play with choreography by Anthony Missen, Company Chameleon’s Co-Artistic Director?

For ages 11-25

Thursday 2 May Cake decorating with Iona Henry

Plus Derby Theatre’s Youth Ambassadors will be there to talk about how else you can get involved at Derby Theatre – why not stick around, eat cake and see the evening’s performances by two local young companies, featuring a play with a surprise birthday party…

For ages 11-25

Friday 3 May Meet the Writer – Laura Lomas 5 – 7pm

Writer of Connections play Chaos, Laura Lomas (playwright and screenwriter), will be running a two-hour workshop on character and monologue writing before the evening’s performance. A perfect opportunity to meet Laura and get some first-hand tips on how to craft interesting and dynamic characters, before seeing the show. Laura has written numerous plays for various venues across the UK and also writes for radio and TV.

Saturday 4 May A day of fun-filled workshops, which cross a range of different art forms; a great opportunity to learn from professional practitioners, to see your writing performed by actors and to meet other creative people your age. Finish the day with two brilliant performances by local young companies in our main theatre, with your half-price ticket!

All workshops are BSL interpreted.

5.30 – 6.15pm or 6.30 – 7.15 pm

Script Writing with Simon Marshall

What’s better than learning a new skill and getting to eat it at the end?! Derby Theatre’s catering manager will give a demonstration on how to make basic cupcakes look almost too good to eat, before you are set free to create your own designs. All food provided – please let us know in advance if you have any allergies.

Place. Self. Purpose. This workshop will focus on the relationship between location, mindfulness and character when approaching writing for the stage. It will equip you with skills for creating content, developing plot and dialogue, and identifying your voice as a writer.

10.00am – 12.00pm

For more information and to book your place at Derby Theatre: derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 59 39 39 | Text: 07717 346964

Simon Marshall is a playwright, poet and performer from Derbyshire. He has previously worked with Vision West Nottinghamshire College and has written for The Bikeshed, Exeter, the Arcola Theatre, London and The Place Theatre, Bedford.

For ages 14-25

Stage Combat with Ian Stapleton 10.30 – 12.00pm

A practical introduction to the skills used by actors to create the illusion of combat; participants will get the chance to learn and practice new skills. Ian directs fight scenes for theatre companies all over the country.

‘Curious Incident’ Movement Uncovered with Frantic Assembly 4.30 – 6.30pm

Recreate key moments from the award-winning production The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time with Frantic Assembly, the Movement Directors’ of the show. A physical workshop uncovering devices and techniques used to create movement; a unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to be an actor in the rehearsal room.

Please wear clothes for movement and bring a bottle of water with you.

For ages 11-25

For ages 14-25

SFX Makeup and Prosthetics with Fake-Up

New Writing by Young People – FREE performance

12.30 – 2.30pm

6.30 – 7.15pm

A ‘hands on’ workshop where you will get to colour and apply your own realistic looking prosthetic pieces – good fun and potentially a little bit gory!

A group of actors will perform the short scripts written by 14-25 year olds in the mornings’ workshop with Simon Marshall.

Come and see the performances for free, before the evening’s double bill.

Please wear old clothes – things could get messy!

For age 11-25

Scare Acting with Rosie Redvers-Jones 1.00 – 3.00pm

The workshop provides performers with a quick grab toolbox to create a variety of creepy, gruesome and downright scary characters. The FrightForm system has a foundation in well established physical actor training and archetypal characters, but with a terrifying twist, and has been used for scare attractions and shows across the country. Perfect for any actor who wants to know how scary they really can be.

For ages 14-25

The Chill Zone Feel free to come to the upper foyer and chill out with DT’s Youth Ambassadors between workshops and before the evening’s shows.

Eat, relax, request your favourite music everyone welcome, open from midday.

The Plays

terra / earth by Nell Leyshon, choreography by Anthony Missen A group of classmates is torn apart by the opportunity to perform their own dance.

As they disagree and bicker, two distinct physical groups emerge and separate into opposing teams.

When a strange outsider appears – out of step with everyone else – the divide is disrupted.

A contemporary narrative dance piece about individuality, community and heritage.

Class by Ben Bailey and Lajaune Lincoln It’s school election time and while most of the school is busy enjoying their lunchbreak, a deadlock is taking place amongst the members of the school council. Bitter rivalries, secret alliances and false promises are laid bare.

As a ruthless battle ensues, who will win and does anyone really care?

A play about politics, populism and the ‘ping’ of a text message.

Chaos by Laura Lomas A girl is locked in a room. A boy brings another boy flowers. A girl has tied herself to a railing.

A boy doesn’t know who he is. A girl worries about impending catastrophe. A woman jumps in front of a train. A boy’s heart falls out his chest. A butterfly has a broken wing.

Chaos is a symphony of dislocated and interconnected scenes. A series of characters search for meaning in a complicated and unstable world. Bouncing through physics, the cosmos, love and violence, they find order in the disorder of each other.

Stuff by Tom Wells Vinny’s organising a surprise birthday party for his mate, Anita. It’s not going well: his choice of venue is a bit misguided, Anita’s not keen on leaving the house, and everyone else has their own stuff going on. Maybe a surprise party wasn’t the best idea?

A play about trying (but not really managing) to help.

Flesh by Rob Drummond A group of teenagers wake up in a forest with no clue how they got there. They find themselves separated into two different teams but have no idea what game they are expected to play. With no food, no water and seemingly no chance of escape, it’s only a matter of time before things start to get drastic. But whose side are people on and how far will they go to survive?

This is a play about human nature, the tribes we create and cannibalism.

All Connections plays are suitable for audience members age 12+

Prices For the plays

£8 (£4 for 25 years and under) Multibuy deal - Buy a ticket to see one show at full price, and any further shows booked you will receive them at half price. (£4 a show, or £2 a show for 25 years and under)

For the Workshops

£4.50 (£4 each if 2 or more booked)

Make a Day of it Pass

£12 (Saturday only, ages 14+) Choice of 3 workshops, access to the chill out zone throughout the day and and a ticket to each show on the day.

Special Offer See shows on Wed, Thu and Fri for half price if you attend a workshop on the same day For more information and to book your place: derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 59 39 39 | Text: 07717 346964 Snapchat Derby Theatre twitter @derbytheatre

Instagram @derbytheatre youtube /DerbyTheatre

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Connections is supported by: The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Buffini Chao Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, Mactaggart Third Fund, The EBM Charitable Trust, Samantha and Richard Campbell-Breeden, The Garvey Family Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, Anthony P. Skyrme, The Derrill Allatt Foundation, Hays Travel Foundation, Faithorn Farrell Timms and supporters of the Connections Appeal