Six aspiring young producers could be theatre’s next big stars thanks to a new scheme from the Platform Theatre Company.
The teenagers, aged between 16 and 19, have earned six months’ work with 20 professionals from arts organisations in order to create their own shows.
The project – called Occupy – is being run in order to give young people the skills they need to break into the arts. All the producers will specialise in one area and be involved in making decisions across all parts of the production.
To be chosen the young people had to undergo a series of interviews; in total there were 44 applicants for the positions
Daniel Rickler, one of the budding talents, said: “Being a Young Creative Producer has opened up a whole new world for me and I’m excited about exploring all the different art forms that I couldn’t before.”
The programme is being run by Platform in association with six other arts organisations throughout the borough. All the producers will be paid the living wage of £8.55 per hour for the work they carry out.
All Change, an arts charity in the borough, is working with Platform on the scheme.
Suzanne Lee, an artistic director at All Change, said: “Projects like this not only offer young people a chance to participate in the arts, but by placing them at the heart of the planning and decision making, also broaden their experiences and provide them with valuable life skills and confidence.”
