The Young Vic Theatre today announces brand new work from Taking Part and the Creators Program.
MANTELPEACE is a free immersive exhibition from Taking Part providing an eye-opening glimpse into the worlds of young men growing up in London today (9 – 20 July); Annie Kershaw will direct an electrifying new production of Stef Smith’s The Girl in the Machine as part of the Creators Program and Genesis Future Directors Award program (16 – 26 October), and Taking Part’s Neighbourhood Theatre launches The Collective, bringing together 50 artists to create an epic new show staged at the Young Vic in 2025.
Shereen Jasmin Phillips, Director of Taking Part, said: “Our new Taking Part projects promise to bring light and fun to the Young Vic. MANTELPEACE focusses on the joy of journeying through teenage years to manhood, creating a space where young men from our community can be brave, support each other, and build and share connections through illustration, music, sound and movement. The Collective will explore and redefine the co-creation of a show, utilising varied artistry from people’s everyday lives in an epic new production showcasing that everyone has the potential to explore their creativity. Working with Lead Artist Adam Karim on MANTELPEACE and Director Michelle Payne on The Collective, I can’t wait to see what all our participants will discover, create and curate for our audiences.”
Sue Emmas, Associate Artistic Director of the Young Vic said: “We are excited to be working with Annie Kershaw on Girl in the Machine, an exceptional play by Stef Smith. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Annie as an assistant director and we’re looking forward to collaborating with her as an artist as she continues her Young Vic journey. With the valued and continuing support of the Genesis Foundation, Annie will realise her vision for this new production opening in the autumn.”
Taking Part, the Young Vic’s Creative Engagement Department, works with young people, adults, schools, and the local community in Lambeth and Southwark, engaging with over 15,000 people a year and providing free tickets to all shows and free creative and artistic opportunities to participants. Taking Part’s three strands, Learning, Participation, and Neighbourhood Theatre, create work that is the beating heart of the organisation.
The Young Vic’s Creators Program for multi- and anti-disciplinary artists is the only scheme of its kind. Launched in 2001, and formerly known as the Directors Program, it offers artists and producers a unique opportunity to develop their craft through opportunities that range from trainee and assistant director roles to a two-year residency through the Genesis Fellow/Associate Director position. The Genesis Network provides an online community to over 2,500 artists and producers. Each year, the recipient of the Genesis Future Directors Award directs a show in the Clare Theatre with full support from the Young Vic team.
