Welcome to the November Edition of Articulation's Newsletter.
See below for listings of shows and celebrations across Scotland and beyond. Also for your delectation and delight this month we have an expanded section on funding, particularly from Creative Scotland, help to find the support you need to make the best work you can.
Best wishes,
SJ Couzens, Articulation Co-ordinator.
6th - 24th December
Archerfield Walled Garden, Dirleton
An immersive theatrical experience set along a 1.5km trail, designed as a magical world of fairies and forest folk, with surprises around every corner.
Enter the enchanting fairy trail and get lost in a world of forest folk and fairies.
New for this year, magic has taken grip of the woodland and there are illusions, magic, lighting and lasers around every corner.
Expect flying fairies along with some of the UK’s finest dancers and circus performers. With lighting installations, interactive optical illusions and close encounters with the friendly forest folk, this spellbinding outdoor experience gets bigger and better every year!
All or Nothing collaboration with Korean Performing Arts Development, company MARO. All or Nothing are travelling to Jeju Island on South Korea to research and showcase their explorations with Korean Traditional Arts, Dance and Music with Aerial Dance. They will be performing on 23rd November at the Kim Jung Theatre in Korea .
The Invisible Cities Project
19th December
CCA, Glasgow
The Invisible Cities Project is an interdisciplinary performance exploring the intersection between the artistic languages of music, spoken and physical theatre.
The performance is inspired by Italo Calvino’s book Invisible Cities, an imaginary account that the famous Venetian traveler Marco Polo makes to the emperor of the Tartars, Kublai Kahn, about the cities spread over the immense territory of his Empire. At the boundary between reality and imagination, these accounts become a metaphor for life experiences, human emotions, desires, fears, memories and relationships hidden under the appearance of cities.
Using metaphor, like the book, as an artistic means, the project aims to talk about cities of nowadays, looking for those invisible threads that run along our cities, mirroring the inner features of their inhabitants. The performers are three musicians and an actor. While musicians will create a musical ‘architecture’ of the cities performing new and old or rearranged pieces, the actress, in a metaphorical dialogue with the musicians, becomes Marco Polo guiding the audience through these cities.
19th December - 5th January
Royal Festival Hall, London
ROLL UP! ROLL UP!
Experience all the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus when CIRCUS 1903 returns to the Southbank Centre this Christmas with new acts for 2019 including the Brazilian Wheel of Death.
Sensational puppetry from the award-winning team behind War Horse puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before, alongside a huge cast of the most unique, jaw-dropping and dangerous acts from all four corners of the globe. From strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, knife throwers and much more, CIRCUS 1903 will amaze, captivate, and transport audiences of all ages to the mesmerising Golden Age of circus.
Come and join the UK’s most extraordinary circus company, NoFit State under the Big Top.
A powerful performance as much as a wild celebration of the past, present and future of circus, LEXICON is a world inhabited by quiet misfits and furious poetry, a world of magic, laughter and lightness.
As you take your seats, enter an experience like no other.
24th - 26th January
Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room
Master of technical innovation and manipulation Wes Peden was last seen in London as guest star in Gandini Juggling’s Spring at Sadler’s Wells for LIMF 2019. He returns with his new solo show, Zebra, whose aesthetic has been described as that of a futuristic chandelier with a sense of humour. Creating never-before-seen sequences of evolving shapes
and constellations with incredible new throws and catches, he transforms his props into mesmerising waves of movement and gives astonishing new life to vinyl records.
In 1994 hundreds of coal miners hung up their pit boots as Grimethorpe Colliery was destroyed, along with the tight-knit working-class community that surrounded it. WASTELAND, Gary Clarke's sequel to COAL, looks at how two generations coped in this era of radical upheaval.
As we see one generation grind to a halt, we follow the next into the 90s illegal rave scene, where derelict warehouses and abandoned work spaces became home for a new-found community of music and dance.
Bringing together Clarke's vivid physical dance language performed by a company of exceptional dancers, a community cast of singers, brass musicians, archive film footage, a powerful rave soundtrack and unique art work by Jimmy Cauty (co-founder of The KLF), *WASTELAND *dives head first into a gritty story of loss, hope, escapism and survival.
MagicFest presents another programme of close-up conundrums, mindboggling illusions, comic cabaret and other feats of the impossible. The festival features workshops as well as shows and ends with the illustrious Closing Gala, a fast paced performance of illusion, sleight of hand, circus and mind reading.
Edinburgh Hogmany Street Party
Hosted by Jonnie Walker
7:30pm on the 31st December
Be together at the world’s best street party and celebrate the New Year in the home of Hogmanay, party under the stars with bands, DJs and street performers from all over the world.
Prepare to be entertained from the moment the doors are thrown open at 7.30PM ‘til far into the night as you welcome 2020 in unforgettable fashion.
Entertainment includes Circus Alba and the Gandinis!
The fireball festival takes place on Hogmanay moments before the old Town House bell chimes midnight, welcoming in January 1st, the music of a small pipe band is heard. Fireballs are lit and swingers emerge from the street leading to the harbour, helping to speed the Old Year on its way and to herald in the New in ancient style with a highly dexterous performance.
The Fireballs start at midnight but the Street Entertainment starts at 11.00pm. A few hardy souls arrive at 9.30, but the majority of spectators arrive from 10.00pm. Do not leave your arrival to the last minute, as access to the High Street will close when the ceremony reaches full capacity. This can happen any time after 11.00pm.
The 44th year of London’s international contemporary visual theatre festival brings 10 overseas companies to join 8 British groups presenting World, UK or London premieres, including LIMF co-commissioned productions from Ockham’s Razor, Thick & Tight, Told by an Idiot and Vamos Theatre.
February 2020 welcomes the second edition of CirkusMania, filling the Stockholm region with circus. During 10 days circus performances for different audiences will be presented in venues around the region. There will be family shows, circus night clubs, circus film, baby circus, openings and much more! CirkusMania presents both new and already established companies.
Presenters can choose to either book their tickets to the separate performances themselves (on different Swedish websites), or by paying an accreditation fee and thereby having the pro service assistance in booking tickets and shuttles to the venues.
There is a limited amount of free/reduced price tickets. The earlier you accredit, the bigger chance to keep your global cost down.
The new Circus of Horrors show will be a celebration of the 25 years and will include an amazing amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock 'n' roll sound scape, a show that will have you sat on the edge of your seat when not falling off it with laughter.
The almighty cast that stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent is now a West End & World Wide Hit will take you on a rock 'n' roller coaster ride of amazing & Bizarre acts. It is a circus like no other and a show you simply can't afford to miss.
Whether you are a Rock fan or theatre goer The Circus of Horrors has something for everyone.
See Cirque du Soleil’s breakthrough ice experience, Crystal!
This spectacular show blends circus arts and the world of ice skating in a stunning new production that will take the audience on a journey into a whimsical frozen playground where ice skating of all kinds mingles with acrobatics and aerial feats.
Crystal, the misfit heroine, takes you on an exhilarating tale of self-discovery as she dives into a world of her own imagination. Feel the adrenaline as she soars through this surreal world to become what she was always destined to be: confident, curious, and creative. CRYSTAL invites you to suspend reality and glide into a world that springs to colourful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil.
Join Aerial Edge for their doubles trapeze and cradle workshops! Some previous aerial circus experience will be necessary.
Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate, a flyer or a base these classes will be built around your skills and experience level.
To get the most out of the workshop those intending to base should be able to get into catchers the ability to invert would be useful for all participants. Participants must be 16+.
Edinburgh Acting School: Introduction to The Strasberg Method
Deadline: 5pm on the 22nd November
Workshop Dates: 30th November - 1st December
Summerhall, Edinburgh
EAS welcomes Valentine Mariucci to Edinburgh for this one off weekend workshop in The Strasberg Method. She comes highly recommended from Lola Cohen; actress, director, one of Strasbergs students & acting tutor at The Lee Strasberg Film & Theatre Institution in New York.
This special workshop has been produced and delivered all over Europe, but this will be the first time this style of workshop has been brought to Scotland by Valentina.
This 2 day workshop will focus fully in on The Strasberg Method and give participants an authentic and insightful experience.
The Why Not Institute: How To Be A Stupid
(The Clown's Intelligence)
Angela de Castro’s 10 day Clowning Workshop
6th - 17th January 2020
Venue in South London
As part of London International Mime Festival 2020
Clowning is an art of courage and discipline; not a technique but a state that needs to be explored fully. This course offers 10 days of serious and enjoyable aimed at developing the clown’s intelligence, and the confidence to use and apply this unlimited power of imagination in any creative or performance context.
Come prepared for challenges and change. It is a rare opportunity to work with a theatre practitioner who for over 30 years has been seriously dedicated to research into, and use of, clowning, in all aspects of performance. This is a safe space to work, with expert guidance through de Castro’s methodology for each participant’s individual journey of development as a performer. It creates a supportive world in which participants can joyfully make mistakes – with a great deal of laughter and play along the way.
For clowns (beginners and experienced), actors, directors, dancers, writers and artists in any field – as well as all those interested in the development of creative intelligence.
LIMF 2020 brings the chance to study different physical and visual theatre skills with leading practitioners, including the famous Lecoq School from Paris, as well as various forms of puppetry, clown, mime, devised theatre and for the first time, visual vernacular.
LIMF2020 also celebrates the 30th
anniversary of the David Glass Ensemble with a 5-day residential course with new festival collaborator, The Point in Eastleigh.
This acclaimed course will show you how to make plays with young people. It explores how to create the conditions needed for meaningful collaboration and a step by step guide for how to turn source material into a finished play. It includes a practical evening session with Company Three members.
Participants work through a series of exercises, games and discussions including a practical session with young people from Company Three's core company.
Julyen Hamilton: Evolving Technique and Making Dances
4th - 15th January
Amsterdam
Julyen Hamilton’s teaching investigates deeply the creative act and the technique needed to accompany and facilitate it. His vision of technique is one which observes how things are made, how they function and how knowledge, experience and intuition can be used to create the work we each need to make.
It naturally enters the world of physiology, philosophy, culture, imagination
and the future.The basic work is the handling of the body and the ‘speaking’ from it in space, motion and time. Its coordination and its relationship to the material it creates – and then to the sharing of it in performance. His ability to distil and convey essential principles allows dancers from a wide range of backgrounds to engage in his methodology.
UniArts are looking for the radical, the diverse, the unheard of, the seemingly impermissible. They're looking to support the impossible ideas of artists engaged with the world.
If you are interested in culturally / aesthetically progressive contemporary circus, if representation concerns you, if the socio-political-ethical aspects of circus are questions for you - then this might be something to consider.
Youth Theatre Arts Scotland: Money Matters Toolbox
2pm on the 4th December
Codebase, Edinburgh
Fundraising - it's not a dirty word! In this dynamic and highly practical session, you will use a variety of exercises to unpack the unique selling points and impact of your work and consider how to translate these into a variety of development platforms, such as funding applications, reports and advocacy.
The course is being hosted by Youth Theatre Arts Scotland, but it's not just relevant to youth theatre practitioners. By the end of this session, participants will:
Know what makes a fundable project
Have drafted answers to the most common application or reporting questions
Created a realistic planning and project management timeline
Creative Scotland funding is open to individuals, groups or organisations to apply for, supporting a wide range of activity in the arts, screen and creative industries. There are 4 main funding categories:
Regular Funding: Seeks to ensure Scotland has a breadth and range of arts and creative organisations and sustainable environments through which artists and creative people can deepen and deliver their work, their engagement with the public, and their professional networks.
Open Project Funding: Project funding for individuals and organisations, supporting a wide range of activities.
Targeted Funding: A selection of ring-fenced funds which support specific art forms, specialisms or geographic areas.
Funds Delivered by Partners: As part of Creative Scotland's Targeted Funding, these are a selection of funds and development initiatives which are delivered on behalf of Creative Scotland by other organisations.
Each fund has different deadlines so make sure to check them out!
The Wingate Foundation
Deadline: 5pm on the 4th December
The Foundation has been a consistent supporter of the performing arts for many years. The Trustees intend to maintain that policy and welcome applications which meet the following criteria:
Performing Arts - achieving excellence
The Trustees place particular emphasis on financial support for charities with a record of artistic excellence that require additional funding, not available from public sources or commercial sponsorship, to broaden their repertoire or develop work of potentially outstanding interest which cannot be funded from the usual sources.
Assistance will also be considered for training and professional development for creative talent or the technical professions.
Funding for stage productions is not available.
Performing Arts - education and social exclusion
The Trustees additionally wish to support arts projects that place a particular emphasis on addressing educational or social exclusion outcomes.
Applicants can apply under either or both headings.
Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) and the Scottish Drama Training Network (SDTN): Future Proofing Funds
Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) and the Scottish Drama Training Network (SDTN) are working together to offer a sustainable solution to personnel shortages in creative production, stage management and technical skills in Scotland.
Future Proofing is a partnership project with aims to inspire and support the next generation at entry level onwards, as well as supporting the continuing professional development of experienced practitioners and educators. Future Proofing opportunities are not limited to FST or SDTN members.
Recent Graduate Bursary
The Recent Graduate Bursary supports placement opportunities which allow graduates to gain workplace experience that will help with their career progression. This bursary is administered by FST.
Training Fund
This fund provides financial support to theatre professionals and lecturers to ensure their professional skills are up to date and in line with the latest practice and technology in the sector.
Audition for male circus artist & dancers in December 2019
A male circus artist with parkour, acrobatic and dance/movement skills to join the cast for BLOCK, the incredible dance-circus collaboration with Motionhouse. Other requirements include:
Excellent fitness, stamina and strength
Courage and willingness to experiment
Strong sense of performance and theatricality
A good team player with a strong work ethic
Ability to cope with a busy schedule
Permission to work legally in the UK with relevant visas or work permits
For projects and tours in Spring and Summer 2020
Willingness to be out on the road touring and to relocate for several weeks at a time for a residency performance project in West Wales.
To Apply: Submit your CV and Showreel to casting@nofitstate.org to be selected to attend the audition.
Surge: Professional Development Residency for New & Emerging Designer/Makers
13th - 17th January 2020
Deadline: 5pm on the 25th November
4 days to explore experimental fabrication methods for site specific work
Free Residential
Surge is offering a professional development residency for new and emerging Designer/Makers who have an interest in creating Costume/Props/Set for performance (and and interest in how VR and 360 video can be integrated in to live site-specific work).
The residency will be led by a highly experienced team of mentors whose diverse skills include: Scenic and Costume design, games design, 360 and 3D video filming and editing, direction and performance. Lead mentor for designer/makers - Zephyr Liddell. Other mentors include Al Seed, Bevis Evans-Teusch, Simon Meek and Ross Gerry.
During the residency you will work collaboratively to create costumes and objects in response to a brief, using a limited selection of loose materials. The aim is to integrate the creations with digital technologies including 360 and 3D Video and VR, exploring physical making and digital rendering.
Edinburgh International Festival: Programme Associate 2020
Deadline: 12pm on the 25th November
The Edinburgh International Festival Mentor programme offers a talented practitioner, producer or manager from Scotland the opportunity to work in one of the UK’s most important cultural organisations
The initiative for the Programme Associate is to give future Scottish cultural leaders first-hand experience of the skills required to run an international performing arts event.
The Programme Associate must be resident in or originally from Scotland or have spent a significant part of their career in Scotland. They will be managed by the Festival’s Programme Director, and will spend time with the Festival Director, Executive Director and the International Festival’s Leadership team gaining insights into areas such as Festival Management, programming, cultural policy, governance, finance, marketing, fundraising and learning and engagement, at the most senior level.
The Programme Associate is engaged by the Festival on a full-time basis for 12-14 months depending on the successful candidate and receives an annual salary. An allowance to cover the costs of travel to other festivals and events is provided.
The Touring Network: The Gathering 2020
Performance Opportunity
25th April 2020
Deadline: 2nd December
The Touring Network are in search of 12 acts from any artform (music, theatre, dance, physical, comedy) who are able to perform a 15 minute low tech excerpt / stripped back set of their tour-ready small-scale work at The Gathering 2020 which will take place on Skye.
All showcasing acts will automatically be included in the Supported Programme Collection.
83% of performers who showcase at The Gathering go onto to tour the Highlands & Islands- so its a super opportunity for professional performers to get their work in front of bookers in the region.
Each year Young Pleasance creates a company of young aspiring creatives (performers and nonperformers). The company specialise in large-scale ensemble work, creating dynamic and original shows with high production values and runs for two weeks at the Fringe. The company has launched the careers of many performers, writers, directors and technicians.
To be eligible, you must be:
Age 16-21 in August 2020
Available for auditions/interviews early January 2020.
Available for rehearsals and performances in London and Edinburgh from approx 25 July to 22 August 2020.
A versatile performer with vocal and physical skills OR interested in a backstage role ie stage management, lighting, sound or costume
Roundabout Europe is an EU supported project which will help artists to interact with different outdoor arts festivals across the continent. Following a successful first edition, the project will start again in 2020 with an opportunity for five more artists to participate in this residency programme.
The project will be carried out in partnership with five main partners responsible for respectable outdoor arts festivals around Europe: Out There International Festival of Circus & Street Arts in the UK, Imaginarius in Portugal, KoresponDance in Czech Republic, Passage in Denmark and Spoffin Festival in The Netherlands of which is lead coordinator for the project.
Together, the partners will build a European circuit of residencies and outdoor arts festivals, targeting artistic companies that are either emerging or are at a turning point in their artistic development. The goal is to empower artists to make their work more professional, self-critical, sustainable, economical and profitable without losing artistic values.
Artists based in countries eligible for Creative Europe are applicable to apply.
ArtsAdmin and Live Art Development Agency (LADA) have compiled a downloadable resource guide intended for artists who work in Live Art and contemporary performance and are at the start of their career.
The resources include everything from Funding to Festivals and provide organisations that may be useful to artists.
Take a step into the world of outdoor performance. OutdoorArtsUK presents a conference day of expert masterclasses, sector updates and inspiring ideas for anyone wanting to learn more about working in Outdoor Arts and for everyone looking for new creative opportunities.
This year the event will be smaller which is free to attend, in the hope of making it more accessible to a wider group.
4th December
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
Deadline: 12pm on the 2nd December
The Producers' Forum is open to anyone with an interest in producing, working across the professional dance, opera and theatre sector.
The forum will be chaired by Julie Ellen. The forums are designed to be member-led so if there is something you would particularly like to discuss, please email suggestions to Amanda Liddle
Please RSVP by emailing hello@scottishtheatre.org, and let FST know if you have any dietary or access requirements. Forums are free for FST members and open to non-members for £10.
FST members who are travelling more than 50 miles to attend, or have caring responsibilities, can claim financial support up to £50 - please request a form when you RSVP.
101 Outdoor Arts: Digital and The Outdoor Symposium
10th December
101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space, Newbury
101Labs and Without Walls present
A one-day symposium for artists, producers, festivals, funders and technologists to explore the opportunities to work with digital and creative technology outdoors and in public spaces.
Come and hear presentations and discussions featuring key players in the digital realm and case studies from exciting artistic projects that are combining virtual, live, physical and environmental elements.
Call Out to Artists and Makers, groups and organisations involved with Circus, Street Arts, Physical Theatre - let us and others know about your work. Take your place in Articulation’s Directory on the Website by sending your information to info@articulationarts.org
Add to this Newsletter! Please send information about anything to do with Physical Performance together with a picture or a logo to articulationnews@gmail.com
Categories
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Performances
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Please can everyone send any info by the 20th of each month. If you can please include the category in subject heading so that it is easier for us to collate. Please also make sure that any info sent will still be valid by the last Thursday of the month.
