Thursday 19 April 2012

Connections 2013 goes live...

Rob Watt, Connections Producer

So I am a little over excited; we have just opened applications for Connections 2013. It may seem slightly barmy that we are opening applications for next year’s programme while bang in the middle of the current cycle of Connections, but we wanted to get off the starting blocks quickly for next year.

I am delighted to announce that the following writers have written 10 electric plays for Connections 2013:

Anya Reiss, Howard Brenton, Jemma Kennedy, Jim Cartwright, Jonathan Harvey, Lenny Henry, Lucinda Coxon, Morna Pearson, Ryan Craig and Stacey Gregg.

To find out more about the plays they have written click here

I am also excited as, after a lot of listening to our current group of youth theatre companies, we have made some improvements to the 2013 programme.

Firstly, we have been able to reduce the participation fee to £400; we hope that this means more groups will be able to take part in a time when money is difficult. We also have a new application process that we will allow you to apply for Connections quicker and more efficiently.

One of the other big changes is the Directors’ Weekend. For those who don’t know, the Directors’ Weekend is unique opportunity to work with National Theatre artists, industry professionals and fellow directors to develop your production and meet everyone involved with Connections. We have made sure that if you come along to the whole of the weekend in November then not only will you get a day talking exclusively to the writer of the play you choose but you will also get 10 hours of professional development workshops. We are currently programming workshops ranging from how to use your voice to looking at the best way to achieve slick at scene changes.

You will obviously still also get the chance to: 
  • Perform your play up to five times at your home venue.
  • Transfer to a leading regional theatre.
  • A visit from a National Theatre Connections Director who will provide a comprehensive Show Report to aid your transfer.
  • Ongoing support from the Connections Team at the National Theatre throughout the year.
We also have a lot of exciting developments that we will be implementing over the next year. We aim to launch an online community workspace where we will be able to upload exclusive content and you will be able to have conversations with NT experts, the writers and other youth theatre directors. 

So whether you are a Connections veteran or you have never taken part there should be something for everyone in Connections 2013. 

Apply now and play your part in one of the largest youth theatre festivals on the planet!

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