A mini-festival of events which will reflect the concerns, needs and attitudes of young people in Norfolk has unveiled its programme. Taking Spaces: Facing the Future sees them explore how they will look ahead to their lives environmentally, culturally and politically.
The festival itself has been put together by the Norwich Theatre Royal Young Producers, a group of 16-25 year-olds who have been gaining hands-on experience of creating events.
The festival will feature an exhibition of work from NUA MA graduate Tinsideout including a specially created piece of work on the theme Facing The Future. With his unique style and bombastic use of colour, Nguyen’s work is not only a conversation starter but an experience in and of itself. This work has been selected and arranged by the Young Producers. The exhibition can be seen in Stage Two from 16-30 November 2018.
An open mic event which will feature performers handpicked by the Young Producers. Poets, spoken-word artists and singer-songwriters will grace the stage with their own work centring on the festival’s theme. The performers include pianist and singer Jack Warner, YouTuber Ellie-Jean Royden, Owen Whiteside-Ward and fellow cast-members from a musical he has created, and returning after a spectacular performance at a previous Stage Two Open Mic, performance poet Ella Dorman-Gajic. Open Mic will be at Stage Two on Saturday 17 November at 7.30pm. In a first for the Theatre Royal, the tickets will also be priced on a pay-what-you-can system and available for £3, £5 and £7.
The theme of the festival was chosen by the Young Producers because they wanted to reflect how the world is seen by them and their peers at what is a difficult time culturally, economically and politically.
They worked together selecting the events, deciding on content, and then assigned various roles to ensure the festival could happen.
Samantha Patel, the theatre’s community participation manager, said: “We aim to give our Young Producers the skills they need to produce their own events and learn about aspects of the theatre. We tailor their training sessions according to what they’re interested in learning, making full use of all the departments the theatre has to offer. We’re really proud of the group and are excited that they are taking over at Stage Two.”
Megan Taylor, one of the Young Producers, added: “This programme is a fantastic challenge. It has helped me learn new skills and then apply them, especially in Taking Spaces. I’m excited for what the New Year will bring after the festival. We have already been discussing the sorts of projects we will be tackling and with a new set of Young Producers joining in January, they are sure to bring all sorts of new skills and insights to add to the growing pool of talent that we are a part of”
Facing The Future exhibition is at Stage Two from 16-30th November. Entry is free and the exhibition is open during Stage Two opening hours. Facing The Future Open Mic Night, November 17 at 7.30pm. Tickets £3-£7, to book, log onto ntr.org.uk/TakingSpaces or call the box office on 01603 63 00 00.
