Welcome to Open Stages
Latest: An interview with the Open Stages Producer, Ian Wainwright, who introduces the next phase of Open Stages project.
RSC Open Stages is a new project that aims to embrace, develop and celebrate amateur theatre, re-forging the bond with the world of professional theatre.
Over 2011/2012 the RSC, in partnership with a number of regional theatres and amateur theatre associations, are running a national programme of skills sharing events and showcases, with amateur societies from across the UK invited to produce their own RSC branded Shakespeare themed production.
'The RSC wants to lead a step change in the relationship with the amateur sector; to celebrate its rich traditions, open our doors to its work and collaborate with partners nationally to leave a significant legacy.'
Michael Boyd
Over 260 amateur companies have signed up to produce RSC Open Stages productions across the UK from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Wight, with over 7200 people taking part. Some of these companies have been regularly producing Shakespeare since well before the establishment of the RSC and some are trying it for the first time. Productions are due to be performed everywhere from castles to village halls, from beaches to ball rooms, with many being performed in the hundreds of successful amateur run theatres around the country.
Explore the map of participating companies to find a production near you.
Participant Map
So, what next?
For some this may simply mean performing under the banner of the RSC in their own chosen venue, with an input of fresh skills and ideas from the RSC and other theatre professionals. For others it could be the beginning of an odyssey that sees them perform at one of the 10 highly regarded Regional Partner Theatres and perhaps even at the RSC itself.
RSC Open Stages Skills Exchanges
Each amateur company involved has been invited to a Regional Skills Exchange these are being held throughout the summer of 2011 at each of the 10 regional partner theatres see regional partner list.
At the Skills Exchanges theatre practitioners from the RSC, the Regional Partner Theatre and one of our partner Drama Schools deliver theatre making workshops. This is also an opportunity for groups to meet each other and for us to find out more about their work and plans.
Watch a video from a pilot Skills Exchange weekend with the Birmingham School of Acting and the RSC.
RSC Open Stages Performances
These are already underway with companies across the UK performing their own RSC Open Stages productions right through to the end of December 2012. There are 165 productions of Shakespeare's plays. 36 productions of plays written about or inspired by Shakespeare (i.e. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead) and 62 brand new plays and musicals inspired Shakespeare and written by amateur writers or devised by amateur companies.
RSC Open Stages Regional Showcases
Each Regional Partner Theatre will run a RSC Open Stages Showcase each will endeavour to show as many Open Stages productions as are available and wish to perform at that time giving a real flavour of the diversity, ambition, commitment and talent of the amateur groups involved. Given that some regions have as many as 55 productions showcasing every production that wishes to cannot be guaranteed at this stage. The showcases simply aim to show a cross section of work being performed as a celebration of amateur Shakespeare in the region. The format will vary from region to region and may include evenings of extracts, whole pieces or double bills. This will depend on the number and nature of productions in the region.
The World Shakespeare Festival and RSC Open Stages
As part of the World Shakespeare Festival, RSC Open Stages will hold a celebration of the amateur theatre involved in Stratford in July 2012. This will be held over several weekends in mid July 2012. We will be looking to program one production from each region. Although we will want these to be of the highest quality our chief driver will be to programme a selection of productions that give a picture of the exciting ambitious and varied work of amateurs performing Shakespeare across the UK. We have already begun looking at the pitches submitted for interesting possible productions, but will also take advice from our regional partners, look at any DVD's of productions and of course go and see as much work as possible.
RSC Open Stages on Facebook
We have created Open Stages its own Facebook page that we hope will become a place where participants and audiences of the projects up and down the country can share, discuss and celebrate all the work taking place. The group is www.facebook.com/rscopenstages. We would encourage you and your members to “like” this group if you are on Facebook and use it as a place to talk about the project, sharing news, images or video you create.
Contacting RSC Open Stages
The way to keep in touch with the RSC is to use the RSC Open Stages email openstages@rsc.org.uk we will check this regularly although I'm sure you understand with the amount of communications traffic generated by the project we cannot always reply immediately.
However if you do not have access to email our postal address is:
RSC Open Stages
Events Department
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Waterside
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire CV37 6BB
Applications
The application phase of this project is now over and we are no longer accepting entries to RSC Open Stages.
Generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.