Letting in the Light based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, are a non-profit arts group offering a wide range of projects and activities in the local area to all aspects of the community from 'hard to reach' groups, to local schools and so on. They believe that anything can be achieved through the arts, and consider art to be a platform for learning, for consultation, for self belief, for communication and for beauty. They established in 1997 and am to work hands on in the heart of the communities giving a voice to those that are not always heard through not only drama but all creative means, like art, music, and are very keen on how art and IT fit together and can aid one another. 'Our minds and bodies are like the blank pages of a new sketchbook; combined with the crisp whiteness of clean bed linen - each and every one of us has the ability to fill them both.' (http://www.lettinginthelight.org.uk/About_Us.html)
I would be interested in seeing what projects the group have undertaken in the past, and seeing what they have planned for the future, I think this is one to keep an eye on. Theatre is obviously closely linked with the other creative art forms, so being involved in as many creative things, and people as possible is going to be a bonus whilst studying on the MA to help to grow as a person, and in the professional world.
The next community group I have researched into is Centre Stage based in Leek. This organisation seems very similar to the one I used to be a part of. I wanted to look at similar ones as this may lead into good comparisons for research for later projects. Centre Stage was founded in 1998, and now aim to put on three shows a year for the local community. They are members of one of the organisations I looked into the NODA and regularly enter their productions in NODA festivals.
There is a £5 membership joining fee, and a £10 fee for acting members to take part in productions and membership provides you:
- Access to auditions and rehearsals
- Invitations to social events
- Newsletters
- Ability to vote in the AGM
They mainly recruit new members before they start rehearsals for new productions.
The next group I came across which interested me for a number of reasons was the Potteries theatre company. This group has a very eye catching website, and immediately inspired me for a number of reasons. The first being that the website has many pictures and logos that stand out, and make you feel like you want to be a part of this group. As far as I can see the membership is free, although there may be fees for applying to be in productions. The team also offer their acting services for event hire.
The last group I wish to look at is Newcastle Players. This company was founded in 1934 and has been producing amateur theatre ever since. They are particualry keen to extend their theatre family, and are welcoming to new members, and hope to encourage younger people to join. For adults the membership fee is £12, and all members get to vote and join in with society activities. The group also owns a workshop in which they produce all their own sets for productions, so there is an opportunity here to look into the production side of things.
Three other organisations to keep in mind are:
- http://www.dramagroups.com/groups/england/staffordshirex.htm- Listing drama groups in the Staffordshire area
- http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/- a website offering funding and grants in several different creative area
- http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/museumandgalleries/CommunityArtsFund/CommunityArtsFund.aspx- another website which offers funding for community arts projects.
I think the way to move forward with these groups is to contact them and see if it would be possible to observe them in rehearsals/production, and see some of there work. I think this would be particularly useful for research purposes when deciding on a project for myself in the upcoming weeks to give insight into the kind of options available.
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