COLISEUM’S TEACHING THEATRE GUIDES YOUNG PEOPLE TO TECHNICAL THEATRE EMPLOYMENT
29 June 2015
Two young people from Oldham have successfully gained employment as Theatre Technicians following participation in the Teaching Theatre scheme at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
Jack Greenwood (18) and Martyn Hill (20) have joined the casual technical staff roster at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and are currently working alongside in-house professionals on the Coliseum’s main stage production of Dreamers.
The pair joined the Teaching Theatre work experience scheme at the Coliseum in September 2014. The scheme, from Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Aksa Homes and First Choice Homes Oldham, offers opportunities for hands-on experience in a theatre environment to young people from the two housing associations. It also promotes young people going into further education, employment or training to continue pursuing their career goals.
Adam Gent, Technical Stage Manager at Oldham Coliseum Theatre commented:
“They have both been keen to learn from the staff and eager to work on a variety of projects. I have been impressed by their desire to help in even the most unglamorous tasks.”
Martyn and Jackhad been friends for two years before joining the Teaching Theatre scheme. Jack applied for a place at a local college in 2014 but unfortunately was not accepted. He discovered the Teaching Theatre scheme and decided to attend the open day introducing the scheme. Martyn, who studies Music Performance, was at Jack’s house the day before the open day and decided to come along with him.
“I thought it sounded interesting” Martyn said, “I was at college as well so I didn’t think I’d be able to do it because I thought it would clash with my schedule there. But as the sessions were on Mondays I was able to join because I didn’t have lessons on.”
Led by Practitioner Liam Whittaker, the Teaching Theatre scheme began by introducing the group to a range of activities within the theatre based on a broad range of specialisms. Following this each member of the group decided on a speciality to work in, and began shadowing the Coliseum’s in-house team. Together the group produced a short play, Billy Down the Wormhole, which toured to local libraries in February 2015. The final stage of the scheme saw the group take on apprenticeships, working on professional productions both in the Coliseum and other theatres in the region.
Jack commented: “Liam’s given us a lot of advice on how to get our names out. We got work at the Exchange Theatre, starting with a five-day work experience there a few months ago, and they put us on the casual staff list. The next place we’re hoping to get work is the Palace Theatre in Manchester for the pantomime. It’s all about getting about and seeing where you can find work.”
Andy Roberts, Technical Manager at Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester said:
“Martyn and Jack were a pleasure to have at the Royal Exchange Theatre. They were full of enthusiasm and keen to learn, I had no hesitation adding them to our crew list.”
Martyn describes the Teaching Theatre scheme as ”a learning curve” and commented on the benefits of being eased into the field by working on their own smaller production before starting work on the main stage musical, Dreamers. “In tech week we’ve experienced a much bigger scale of show than what we were doing before. It’s a really great show from what we’ve seen in rehearsals I can’t wait to see it.”
The Teaching Theatre programme at Oldham Coliseum will continue to run from September. Jack will be beginning his studies at Oldham College next term.
- Ends ------
Notes to Editor:
The Oldham Coliseum Theatre is a cultural and educational charity that works with over 150,000 individuals per year
Teaching Theatre is supported by Aksa Homes and First Choice Homes Oldham
For further press information contact Communications Officer Shelly Ramsdale on 0161 785 7012