The Cockpit Theatre’s Theatre Maker brings new classes together with affordable space hire, showcase opportunities and meet-ups in a scheme designed to appeal particularly to those wanting to create their own work, in their own way, for the audience they choose; to say what they want to say. All are designed to be affordable and easy to work around commitments with prices for the six week classes from £80.
Dave Wybrow, Artistic Director of the Cockpit, title explains – “What we most excited about doing, is supporting what we’ve termed “Motivated Theatre” which generally means work that can only be made by the people making it, often characterised by any or all of the following:
- Those involved take total control of all aspects of a collaborative creative work and bear all the risks. There are no absent stake-holders controlling the boundaries of what can happen on stage, no prior decisions taken by rights-holders elsewhere.
- The work is about creating more than interpreting and often features the presence of creators/devisors as performers/participators. Often from fields beyond theatre.
- The work is the product of a shared artistic vision or an effort to evolve one, where the audience is aware of a unique personal or group style.
- The work is driven by the real-life concerns or experiences of the people making it, as well as their energy and abilities as participators.
- Creative roles – often including technical roles – are dispersed throughout the company rather than contained within a strict creative or production hierarchy.”
In keeping with this focus, Theatre Maker opportunities are less about learning audition technique or about how to serve someone else’s vision; more about developing ideas, on your own or with others, and the production methods, skill sets and confidence to see them through. For the most promising, the Cockpit will then support the work as it evolves – right the way through to a fully fledged production. Theatre Maker will be the umbrella for shows the Cockpit helps on their way.
Theatre Maker class participants are automatic eligible to showcase their creations in class via The Cockpit’s THEATRE IN THE POUND. This popular monthly scratch night in the main space gives performers a 15 minute slot to show an audience their work. This can be any style of performance, at any stage of development, and is followed by an informal, constructive feedback and Q&A session. No artists policy. Anything legal considered
Theatre Maker participants are also encouraged to take part in NEW STUFF NIGHT, the Cockpit’s monthly rehearsed readings. This intimate night give writers of all genres a chance to hear their work in front of a small audience and welcomes any style of writing, at any stage of development, with whoever you choose to read it. This is also followed by an informal, constructive feedback and Q&A session.
And lastly all Theatre Makers are invited to DROP IN – a special Happy Hour for Theatre Makers from 6pm in the theatre bar every Wednesday.
