Our first post, yay! Hello. We are NORTH (go on, click, it's our new logo designed by the marvellous Wayne Gamble), Northern Stage's fresh new company. It's a three month opportunity to make work, develop skills and take the next step with the full support of a professional theatre company. The company will be lead by Northern Stage's Creative Associate Mark Calvert. Our adventure began back in December, when...somewhat reminiscent of an S club 7 audition...we were put through our paces with 30 others over 3 days.
Here we all are climbing the structures in stage 3.
From L-R: Stan, Mike, Alex, Alice, Maria, Meghan and George.
We began our adventure on the 14 January 2013 and by 21, 22 and 23 March we'll premiere our first piece in Stage 2. Click here for the Northern Stage website to get a little more info on us. You can also book for the show already. Why aye!! I'm Alice, 1/7th of north, and I'll let you into some secrets from the first week! Brace yourselves, it was oh so exciting! (it really, really was).
That would be me eating Northern Stage cake. My 6th favourite thing.
Back in December we had a four day induction which included a packed week of meeting the full company at Northern Stage, sitting in on the programming meeting, being introduced to the sponsors and learning that whole "networking" thing, Maria loves it, she schmoozes round a room while I hovered over the canapes. Then we spent an eye opening session with producer Caroline Pearce. Found out what that mysterious term "marketing" is all about and began to create our brand. We were put in a trance by the the incredible Erica Whyman. AND THEN we were given a very important task over christmas, to come up with two ideas for a show we'd like to make and on the 14 January we pitched those ideas to the company.
This week has been mad. I've got a to do list as long as me arm, Stan nearly lost his finger in a dangerous battle with some fishing wire and a giant bauble, Communications Director Peter Flynn championed Gok Wan, running around in a massive red ruff whilst throwing red props and costume at us for the photo shoot with Topher McGrillis.
A snap behind the scenes
We met some brilliant minds, Kate Craddock of GIFT shared her life story with us, Annie Rigby of Unfolding Theatre poured out her honest heart and even gave us love life advice. We learned how to apply for funding, what those participation peeps Susan and Kylie get up to. It's a lot more than glitter and glue, they basically brainwash children into loving Northern Stage so that they never want to leave. I jest. But their job is vital to that building, we wouldn't be there if it wasn't for them! Oh gosh, what else, we threw a ball around A LOT. I can't catch. Awkward. We played squares, a game in which Meghan goes mental and Mark gets far too competitive.
Look at that competitive face.
Next week we're learning all about budgeting, meeting the Arts Council and spending a day being clowns with Paddy O'Connor. I'm so excited to be a clown for the day! Did I mention how fun our job is?
Oh hello...
Hopefully I'll get our profile shots on Monday and you can meet us properly for the next feature.
Love from the NOFFICE.
North_NS
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