The Choice

As stated in my previous blog, after the initial chat with Barbara, I decided that I would like to contact the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme. So I then did some research about the kind of things which go on at the theatre, and who I would need to get in contact with. 

New Vic Seating Plan

Not being from around this area, I was a little concerned, as I didn't have any contacts and didn't know what kind of drama activities went on in the area so this research was very valuable to me as I needed to start from scratch with everything I was going to find out. 

In one of my Creativity and Enterprise blogs I spoke about influential theatre figure Peter Cheeseman. Cheeseman is responsible for the making of the New Vic and was the Artistic Director there for many years. The theatre is unique because its main stage is in the round, the majority of theatres have what is called a proscenium arch, which basically means the stage is end on to the audience creating a 'wall' between the actor and the spectator. What in the round theatre does is break down that wall and change the atmosphere and relationship between the actor and the spectator. 

The New Vic Theatre has a really good reputation around the local and more national areas to, for the work it does with not only events it has on the main stage, but the work it does with different groups, and different events it has going on there.

As well as the main stage at the theatre, there is a large youth room upstairs, a large backstage area, and a separate workspace across the car park for rehearsals. I began looking on the website to the different groups and activities they have going on there:

• A variety of theatre events on the main stage
• Concerts and Exhibitions
• Local Links- making links and drama with local primary schools, and providing drama across the curriculum
• Drama Club- for ages 4-10 on a Saturday morning
• Youth Theatre- for ages 10-18
•  Holiday Projects- several projects go on over the summer holidays such as play in a week, musical theatre workshops, and summer school which gives the youngsters a chance to be involved in the professional Christmas show
• Revolve for adults wanting to learn about theatre
• Home Ed- for home educated children
• Borderlines: who work with different community groups such as Youth Theatre- young people from difficult backgrounds, Daytrippers- adults with learning and physical difficulties, Strathcross- another group with learning difficulties, young parents company- drama for young people with children, Borderlines also tour schools with different productions.

On looking at the website they have a section about work experience, and when I looked the website said their work experience programme for 2011/2012 was full up so I became a little concerned whether this would affect my chances of getting some experience here.





I found out that there were three people working in the education department

Lynn Parry-Education Administrator and Project Manager
Jill Rezzano-Head of Education
David Reynolds: Youth Theatre Director

I listed their email addresses down and the phone number of the theatre and also made a note of the groups which I may be most interested in working with.