Playbox improves youth training in renovated Dream Factory studio
Playbox Theatre Company, resident group at the Dream Factory in Warwick, has expanded its programme of training initiatives for young people as the organisation relaunches its advanced theatre course in the venue’s recently refurbished studio.
An investment of £10,000 from Land Rover has enabled the theatre to fully equip its laboratory studio with new lighting and sound systems, allowing work to be devised and performed in the space. Following the cash boost, the company has also announced the start of a series of new classes, including practical backstage training and stage combat, and will restart its advanced training programme for young people wanting to pursue a career in the theatre.
Mary King, founding and executive director of Playbox, explained: “Our new backstage courses will help young people develop their potential in lighting, sound, stage management, design and other practical theatre skills. Backstage course teams will be able to work alongside our acting companies to gain essential practical experience in our superbly equipped theatre. Several of our new productions planned for the next 12 months require excellent combat as well as acting skills so to prepare for this we are organising regular training in fencing, sword play and hand to hand stage combat.”
The first production to come out of the relaunched advanced training scheme will be an adaptation and staging of Philip Pullman’s trilogy of novels His Dark Materials at The Dream Factory in 2006.
Artistic director Stewart McGill added: “The Dream Factory is a superb resource and yet we feel there are still areas where we can do more. With so much excitement about sport as we head towards the 2012 Olympics, we hope that theatre meets sport in our circus and 2006 production programme. We do have some exciting physical projects that demand unique skills.”
• Young people aged 13 or over and interested in backstage, combat and advanced training can contact the theatre on 01926 419555
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