Voluntary Youth Theatre & Education Assistant

Information Document - October 2013

Closing Date for Applications: 5pm Sunday 10th November

Start Date: January 2014

Riding Lights Theatre Company is an artistic community drawn together around a common vision - to explore all aspects of life through theatre created from a broad Christian perspective.

The company’s work is informed by Christian faith and values which are shared by many of those who work for it. Staff of the company, whether administrative or performing, need, at the very least, to be in sympathy with what lies at the core of the company. Theatre with a spiritual heart is one way of describing what Riding Lights does.

Its work is created in a way that acknowledges the reality of Christian faith within the company - for the majority of its nationwide group of supporting Members and for some of the organisations with whom we collaborate or who help to promote our work across the country.

This focus which Riding Lights maintains provides a hub for a whole range of theatre-related activities. It is the springboard for the broadest and most inclusive engagement with the whole spectrum of human endeavour; it provides a basis from which to tackle any subject.

The value of the theatre we produce can be assessed in various ways:

  • It seeks to build a strong awareness of community through shared experiences of life and entertainment.
  • It is staged to serve the needs of theatres, schools, prisons and local groups - often in places where performance is rare.
  • It is a creative response to the hopes and fears of our audiences as we commission new plays and re-interpret the classics or any play which gives us wisdom and insight into the human condition.
  • It seeks to be a forum for social conscience, addressing any issue where justice, peace or the well-being of one person might be threatened by the actions of another.
  • It tries to develop the talents of others through workshops and training in aspects of theatrecraft.

There is no hidden agenda behind Riding Lights Theatre Company. Our aim is to allow the public process of engaging in theatre to open ‘windows’ through which anyone might gain a little more light on the journey which we believe God walks with us.

Artistic Director

ABOUT RIDING LIGHTS YOUTH THEATRE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:

Riding Lights Theatre Company has been based in York since 1977 and has a reputation for innovative and dynamic ensemble performance.

In September 2001, we extended our community outreach to Education work and established our own Youth Theatre. Our vision is to nurture a group of young actors, playmakers and playwrights, who learn from and contribute to the developing work of the company. All our Youth Theatres meet at the company’s base, Friargate Theatre.

Our Youth Theatre meets during term time, andconsists of four groups of children and young people aged seven to nineteen. The groups are as follows:

711S YOUTH THEATRE (ages 7-11):Thursday evenings: 5pm-6pm

JUNIOR YOUTH THEATRE (ages 11-14):Monday evenings: 6:30pm-8pm

SENIOR YOUTH THEATHRE (ages 14-19):Thursday evenings: 7pm-9pm

ACTING UP! YOUTH THEATRE (ages 13+): Wednesday evenings: 6:30pm-

8:30pm

Acting Up! Youth Theatre is a group catering for children and young people with additional needs or disabilities. The group is generously supported by BBC Children in Need.

THE YORKMINSTERSCHOOL

On top of the weekly Youth Theatre sessions, we also deliver the Drama Teaching for the YorkMinsterSchool. This includes teaching drama skills from years three to year eight, and running the after school drama clubs. The time table for our MinsterSchool activity is as follows:

Drama Teaching:

Thursday mornings: 9:00am – 11:40am

Friday mornings:9.10am – 11:40am

After School Activities:

Monday evening: 4:30pm-6:00pm

Wednesday afternoon: 4:15pm-5:20pm

As Youth Theatre assistant, you will be responsible for supporting the Youth Theatre Director with the work in the Youth Theatre and, ideally, the YorkMinsterSchool.

JOB DESCRIPTION – VOLUNTARY YOUTH THEATRE AND EDUCATION ASSISTANT

This is a voluntary position, either part-time or full-time, to support the work of the Education and Youth Department of Riding Lights Theatre Company. This opportunity is available on a termly basis and candidates are currently being sought for Spring and Summer academic terms in 2014.

BASIC JOB DESCRIPTION

1.AIM OF THE JOB:

1.1.To provide support and assistance with a variety of education and youth projects, including Riding Lights Youth Theatres and schools work.

2.ORGANISATION:

2.1.The Youth Theatre Assistant reports to the Youth Theatre Director and Education Practitioner.

3.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1.To assist with administration work in connection with Youth Theatre and Education work.

3.2.To contribute to planning for Youth Theatre sessions and workshops.

3.3.To assist at Youth Theatre sessions and rehearsals.

3.4.To assist with educational sessions and workshops at the YorkMinsterSchool.

3.5.To act as an Assistant Director on some Youth Theatre work.

3.6.To provide Stage Management support.

3.7.To participate actively in the wider work of Riding Lights Theatre Company.

4.POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEER:

While we have expectations about the tasks that the Youth Theatre and Education Assistant will partake, we hope to tailor non-essential work to the interest areas of the individual. We acknowledge the potential financial sacrifice of this position; in return we can provide a range of opportunities for personal development. The individual will gain a lot from this position. Some possible opportunities include:

4.1.Supervised solo planning and facilitation of workshops and school classes. This would be supported by coaching and feedback prior and post teaching.

4.2.Small scale script and story writing projects to suit the demands of youth theatre work.

4.3.Theatre technical work

4.4.Costume design and prop making for the Juniors Spring show

5.PERSON SPECIFICATION:

5.1.Riding Lights is a professional theatre company with a broad and distinctive Christian approach to life and faith. It is helpful if staff are in sympathy with the Company’s mission and ethos.

5.2.We seek individuals with a genuine interest in youth theatre and a desire to get involved and further their skills. Theatre training or relevant experience is required.

5.3.Upon being offered the position, you will be required to complete a DBS check and provide the company with your online pass code. This will be done on behalf of Riding Lights Theatre Company.

6.PAYMENT

6.1.This is a voluntary position, however any out of pocket expenses incurred on

the Company’s behalf will be reimbursed.

7.EMPLOYMENT

7.1.As a voluntary position, Riding Lights accepts that the Youth Theatre and Education Assistant can leave at any time, without prior written notice.

7.2.We understand that there may be certain financial pressures on volunteers, and Riding Lights is willing to work with successful applicants, allowing sufficient time for volunteers to earn money from a job elsewhere.

APPLICATION FORM;

NAME
ADDRESS
CONTACT NO,
EMAIL
EDUCATION / Please state your qualifications for secondary, further and higher Education:
What is it that interests you about working for Riding Lights Theatre Company and, more specifically, on the voluntary internship. What are you hoping to gain? (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary):
Why do you think that you would be good in this role?
This position requires much flexibility, and you will be expected to work most evenings and occasional weekends. Please state what days/time you are unable to work:

REFERENCES: Please provide two referees, who will be able to support your application. One must be a current or previous employer, and one may be a character referee (friend/relative/colleague whom you have known for at least two years).

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CONTACT NO.:
EMAIL:
RELATIONSHIP TO YOU: / NAME:
ADDRESS:
CONTACT NO.:
EMAIL:
RELATIONSHIP TO YOU:

Once you have completed the form, please return it with an attached CV to:

Riding Lights Youth Theatre, Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York, YO1 9SL

Or email to: .

Closing date for applications: 5pm Sunday 10th November

To start January 2014

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