Out of Joint will work with young people aged 15 to 19 to inspire the next generation of playwrights. Originally conceived to run alongside Out of Joint’s production of Rita, Sue and Bob, Too, The Andrea Project ran successfully last year in partnership with the Royal Court and Bolton Octagon and gave eight young people the opportunity to have a play staged at the Royal Court. This year’s project sees Out of Joint work together with Sheffield Theatres, co-producers of Close Quarters by Kate Bowen.
The project is named for playwright Andrea Dunbar, who wrote her first play aged 15 and began her hit play Rita, Sue and Bob Too when she was 19. Dunbar grew up on Bradford’s Buttershaw Estate, and was in a women’s refuge when her talents were discovered. The Andrea Project is a response to the question: would a writer like Andrea be found by theatres today?
Eight young writers from Sheffield will work with a professional playwright over a number of weeks to create their own short plays, which will be performed at Sheffield Theatres by professional actors to an invited audience. All aspects of the scheme are free, including any travel costs.
The project was conceived by Gina Abolins, who runs Education and Artist Development and Kate Wasserberg, Artistic Director of Out of Joint. Kate said of the scheme:
“Rita, Sue and Bob, Too, written by a teenager, connected with audiences all over the UK in the most extraordinary way. Andrea’s voice spoke of struggle and courage, uniting people and provoking them to both laughter and thought. The Andrea Project is all about finding more writers with stories to tell the nation, people who might otherwise go unnoticed or never even pick up a pen. It’s about saying to young people – write the future. We want to hear what you have to say.”
The Andrea Project will run alongside future Out of Joint productions too. Next year it will be open to teenagers in Northampton when the company co-produces The Remains of the Day with the town’s Royal & Derngate Theatres.
The Andrea Project will be completely free to participants. In order to make this possible, Out of Joint is raising money, and is asking people to help via a new crowdfunding page: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-andrea-project-drama
Playwrights Elinor Cook, James Graham and Barney Norris are each donating a playwriting masterclass with all proceeds going towards The Andrea Project. Elinor Cook’s will run on 27 June, with others to be announced.
