Join Connections 2023

OPEN AUDITION WORKSHOPS FOR NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS 2023

Drama students aged 13-19 are invited to take part in the 2023 National Theatre Connections project taking place at Kensington Arts, Kensington Road, Douglas.

Each year the National Theatre commissions ten new plays for young people to perform, bringing together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow.

Last year’s participants were selected to perform ‘Hunt’ by Fionnuala Kennedy at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre in London. The local group were selected from 228 youth theatre companies and 5,400 young people who took part across the country. Ten companies are selected to perform at the National Theatre to represent the range of exciting work being produced nationwide.

This year, two free introductory free workshops will be held at Kensington Arts on Tuesday 11^th and Friday 21^st October between 5pm and 7pm. For the chosen cast, regular rehearsals will then take place every Tuesday and Friday from 1^st November.

This year’s play – ‘Innocent Creatures’ by Leo Butler – contains strong language so parental discretion is advised.

Connections also welcomes those who wish to ‘shine behind the scenes’ and take part off-stage working on other design elements such as set, props, costume, sound, and lighting design.

This year, the partner theatre will again be York Theatre Royal. In April 2023, the cast will travel to York to perform at York Theatre Royal. While there, they will have the opportunity to participate in workshops led by leading theatre practitioners.

Past Connections members have made lifelong friendships and gone on to wonderful things within the Arts including further education at drama schools, signing with top London agents, winning ‘The Manx Youth Bard’ and taking the leading role in successful Netflix series ‘Heartstopper’.

David Dawson will once again be leading the team as Director for the show. This will be David’s 7th time directing the Connections play. David said:

“Following the success of our performance at the Dorfman Theatre, we are thrilled to once again be taking part in the Connections programme. It allows young people to collaborate not only with people they have never met before on island but from further afield in the UK. It is always a joy seeing a new play develop with a new cast and I can’t wait to get started and for our trip to York in April.”

Kensington Arts is managed by Creative Development Co-Ordinator, Peter Shimmin, who was last year’s Assistant Director. He said: “We are excited to be launching this year’s Connections programme which had such remarkable success in 2022. Connections is participant-driven and aims to build confidence and communication skills. As an inclusive environment, we welcome young people of all abilities to come and develop their skills and connect with other aspiring performers from our community.”

Interested participants should register interest by emailing the Creative Development Co-Ordinator, Peter Shimmin on Peter.Shimmin@gov.im, or just come along to one of the introductory workshops. You can also visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning/connections to learn more about the initiative.

You can also follow along on Facebook by searching ‘National Theatre Connections IOM’. On the page you will be able to see all recent updates such as press releases, cast member bios and behind the scenes insights as rehearsals take place.