Summer Youth Project 2019

Summer Youth Project provides 250 young people aged 9 – 21 the opportunity to work together in a professional theatre. The two week project culminates in four performances of a full-scale musical on our main stage under the supervision of a highly skilled creative team including a professional Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Musicians and Technical team all in less than two weeks! The Project provides a good foundation for those wishing to further their careers in this field.  Several previous Project members have gone on to study at theatre and dance schools and have successful careers both on stage and backstage.

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2019 musical to be announced...

STAGE PERFORMERS

Our stage performers have the opportunity to work with a highly skilled creative team including a professional Theatre Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Musicians & Technical team to create a major musical on our main stage. Summer Youth Project is an inclusive and collaborative company that work with people who can respect each other, learn from each other and work together to create excellence.

Stage Performers Auditions 

Our auditions involve acting, singing and movement and are led by our outstanding creative team, who produce our show each summer. You do not need to prepare anything as all songs and choreography are taught on the day. Stage Performers wishing to audition for Summer Youth Project must be at least 9, and no older than 21 years old on Sat 11 August 2019.

 

TECHNICAL APPLICANTS

Our Backstage and Technical opportunities offer an exciting experience to work on our major musical as Deputy and Assistant Stage Managers, as Assistant Lighting and Sound Technicians and as part of the Props and Stage Crew Team.

Participants will develop their skills and be involved in a professionally led production.

Technical Interviews 

Technical applicants will take part in a group interview with the professional technical team to discuss the backstage work involved and the areas that applicants could be involved in. You do not need to bring anything with you but a keen interested in theatre is desirable.

For safety reasons we do need to limit the amount of spaces to ensure that all participants are well supervised and get the best out of their experience, therefore we may not be able to take on everyone that applies.

PARTICIPATION FEES

Participation fee for Summer Youth Project is £175.00 per participant. We endeavour to keep project fees as low as possible but, unfortunately, we do have to cover increasing costs of venue hire, pastoral care and all tuition fees during our rehearsal and performance periods.

If a family has more than one member in Summer Youth Project, each additional sibling will be charged at £140.00 per participant. This can be paid for by contacting our Ticket Office on 01494 512 000.

We are happy to be paid in instalments and can discuss details and payment dates with you individually.

Terms and Conditions 

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About Summer Youth Project

Summer Youth Project has evolved, getting bigger and brighter every year; it provides local talented young people with a unique opportunity to take an active interest in the performing arts and is a good foundation for those wishing to further their careers in this field.  Several previous Project members have gone on to study at theatre and dance schools and have successful careers both on stage and backstage.  As well as being actively involved in the arts it helps our young cast and crew build confidence, develop learning skills, work with professionals in the industry, have fun in an imaginative and creative environment, and of course, make lots of new friends!  Summer Youth Project provides a crucial artistic outlet for children during the summer holidays.

Over the two week project tWycombe Swan theatre comes alive to the sound of young performers, working incredibly hard learning their lines, rehearsing songs and practising dance routines, all with an enthusiasm and dedication that is unprecedented. Year-on-year we receive praise for the high standards that the show ultimately produces with such a young cast.

Age

You must be 9-21 years of age on or before Sun 11 August 2019 to be eligible for this Project.  There can be no exceptions made on the age restrictions.

Auditions and Technical Interviews

Auditions and Technical Interviews for Summer Youth Project will be on Sun 12 May 2019.

The Audition Day & Casting

Due to the nature of a process such as this initially you will be seen in groups.  We hope to have given everyone a chance to sing, dance and impress us by 2pm. After this time we will only ask you to stay on if we think we might like to see you later in the day for a prinicpal role, featured part or as one of our main dancers.  If you are not asked to stay on it does not mean that you have not been selected as a member of the company.  Final selections will be made when all auditionees have left after the Audition Day.  You will be notified in writing within two weeks whether you have been successful or not.

Please wear comfortable clothes that you can dance in.  Please also bring a packed lunch, plenty to drink and a good book or something to do as there can be quite a bit of waiting around as we try to see everyone.  A finishing time is hard to predict so please bring a mobile phone or some coins for a pay-phone to call home when you have finished.

Please note: Only people auditioning will be allowed into the auditorium.

Participants interested in working backstage on Summer Youth Project will need to arrive at 10am at the main Ticket Office doors on Sun 12 May 2019. The Technical Team will take all participants interested in backstage work and speak to each one about the areas that they could be involved in.

Although we do everything possible to make the auditions and interviews fair, for safety reasons we do need to limit the amount of spaces to ensure that all participants are well supervised and get the best out of their experience, therefore we may not be able to take on everyone that applies.

The decision of the Production Team on the day is final and correspondence will not be entered into.

Dates

YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF THE REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE DATES.

Because of the rehearsal time in which the show is put together you must be FULLY COMMITTED for the whole two weeks.

Rehearsals

These usually start at 10am and continue all day with a break for lunch, and a dinner break when evening rehearsals are required.  Towards the end of the rehearsal process the days will be longer and a finishing time of 10pm can be expected.  Rehearsal schedules for the first week will be posted to the company in the weeks leading up to the Project.

Performances
There will be four performances this year from Thu 22  - Fri 24 August 2019. All performances take place in on our main stage in the Swan Theatre.

Fees

The participation fee for this year's Summer Youth Project is £175.00 per participant. If a family has more than one member in Summer Youth Project, each additional sibling will be charged at £140.00 per participant. This can be paid for by contacting our Ticket Office on 01494 512 000.

We are happy to be paid in instalments and can discuss details and payment dates with you individually.

Please note: once payment (or part-payment) has been made there are no refunds – you have committed to the Project and taken a place from another auditionee.

The fee covers the two weeks of Summer Youth Project and does not include meals, transportation or show tickets. We may ask you to assist with some basic items for costumes such as t-shirts, shoes, etc – hopefully things that you already have at home.

All fees must be paid by: Fri 2 JAugust 2019. Failure to pay will result in the exclusion of the participant from the show. Details on how to pay can be will be emailed to you upon successful audition.

Subsidised Places

There are a limited number of subsidised places on offer for those who genuinely cannot afford the fees.  
Please contact Jamie Sansom, Creative Learning Manager on jamie@wycombeswan.co.uk for an application form, you may be asked to supply proof of earnings.

Please note: The audition process and Summer Project rehearsals may be filmed for documentary and archive purposes.

The summer youth project is managed by Wycombe Swan Theatre on behalf of the HQ Theatres Trust. Charity No. 1145989

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