Oxford Playhouse is partnering with the National Literacy Trust (NLT) to launch a Playhouse Monologue Jam, a new project for young people, starting this January.
Playhouse Monologue Jam is for anyone aged 12 – 16 with a passion for performing and creative writing. Through a series of fortnightly masterclasses, members of Monologue Jam will be guided by OP and NLT practitioners through the process of writing and performing a monologue. The creative projects will then be showcased to an online audience at the end of the term. OP Monologue Jam is free to take part in, but individuals need to book in on OP website.
Louise Chantal, Joint Director of OP said: “Monologue Jam is just one of the many projects we are running to make sure people of all ages have creative opportunities during the pandemic – even if our doors are shut right now, we’re determined to keep telling stories and inspire young people to connect with the world around them.”
Eleanor Warr, who is leading the project for Oxford Playhouse commented: “We are so excited to be partnering with the National Literacy Trust to deliver this fantastic opportunity to young people in Oxfordshire, to write and perform original JAM monologues. The NLT does amazing work encouraging young people into reading, writing, poetry and performance. We can’t wait to work with them and the brilliant poets and spoken word artists they collaborate with.”
Penny Newell, Young Writers Project Manager at the National Literacy Trust said: “We are really excited to partner with Oxford Playhouse the wonderful Playhouse Monologue Jam programme. Together we will be able to reach even more young people through the power of storytelling and performance, including reluctant readers and young people from all backgrounds, and develop helpful resources for teachers to support their pupils. We’re delighted Yomi Sode, who gave a wonderful performance on our Sofa Sessions last year, is joining the project too! The National Literacy Trust is dedicated to changing the life stories of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK by giving them the literacy skills they need to succeed, especially after such significant disruptions to their education and so we are really pleased to be supporting young people’s literacy through this creative and fun project.”
Playhouse Monologue Jam is part of an extensive programme of Oxford Playhouse activities and events for people to get involved in during Spring 2021, which also includes: recruiting Young Ambassadors to help shape the future of the theatre; a Youth Theatre Company for 17 – 25 year olds, an Adult company; and Hey Diddle Diddle online music and singing for babies and toddlers.
Oxford Playhouse is recruiting, OP Young Ambassadors, a group of dedicated, passionate and creative young people to help shape the theatre’s future. The theatre believes that the voices of the younger generation are vital in shaping how OP moves forward in a post-Covid environment. OP Young Ambassadors will work with staff across the organisation, including the Senior Management Team and Trustees, to help plan and create new ways of working. OP Young Ambassadors is open to anyone aged 16 – 25, with an initial commitment of 12 months.
The Playhouse Adult Company and Playhouse Young Company are both back with new terms starting online. The Young Company is open to anyone aged 17 – 25 with a passion for theatre making and enthusiasm for developing theatre skills. During the term, participants will explore a wide range of performance skills, including sessions in voice and movement, working together as an ensemble in a friendly forum. The Playhouse Adult Company also works on a variety of performance skills, in a friendly and collaborative setting, culminating in a performance that will be shared with friends and family at the end of term.
Returning for Monday mornings, is Hey Diddle Diddle, OP’s hugely popular sing-along and play session for babies and pre-school children and their adults. One of the best music sessions for toddlers in Oxford, Hey Diddle Diddle uses music, dance and acting skills to encourage creativity and imagination. Free to attend but booking essential.
For areas of the participation programme which are paid for, Oxford Playhouse also offers a bursary scheme for anyone who would like to take part and may need help with fees.
More details about all of this term’s activities and how to get involved can be found at www.oxfordplayhouse.com/participation.