Download Volunteer Role Description

Acting Company
Title:
NRM and York Theatre Royal
2015 Partnership (STEAM)
Acting Company Member
Location:
Various Rehearsal locations around the
City of York – Mostly at the NRM and
York Theatre Royal.
Production and Performance at the
National Railway Museum
Role Context:
During 2015 York Theatre Royal will be closing for a major refurbishment.
Over this period the National Railway Museum will become our theatrical
home as a large scale partnership will see a number of projects and events
between the two organisations which will build upon the success of the award
winning Railway Children – which will also return as part of the partnership.
At the heart of all this activity will be another large-scale production to follow
the successful achievements of the York Mystery Plays 2012 and Blood and
Chocolate. The production (current working title is STEAM) will be written by
Mike Kenny and Bridget Foreman and will look at the importance of the
Railways to York and it’s citizens over the last 200 years.
The production will take place amongst the collections at the NRM before
leading its audience into a 1000 seat auditorium at the back of the museum.
The aim of the project is to include a cast of 200 members of York’s
community to work alongside the professional team to create a truly unique
theatrical experience. This offers an opportunity for York to once again show
that we collectively, as a community, produce the most exciting and ambitious
mass theatrical events in the UK, if not the world.
At this stage we know nothing more – we’d like you all to come and help
create this project with us. We will also be including community members in
stage management, costume, FOH and many other areas.
Purpose of the Role:
To help create a memorable and unique piece of theatre, which focuses on an
industry that has been part of York’s culture for hundreds of years, by taking a
role in the acting company. Opportunities for speaking parts and nonspeaking roles.
Tasks:
To commit to evening and/or weekend workshop and rehearsal sessions from
March-May ahead of the intensive rehearsal period in June.
To commit to learning lines as written in the text
To work alongside other members of the community of all ages and
experience to tell the story.
To work alongside the directors, designers and producers to tell the story.
To commit to weekend and evening rehearsals when required.
To commit to costume fittings when required.
To perform in front of up to 600 people for each of your scheduled
performances.
To be prepared to work within a national museum that belongs to our
community and has many stories to reveal.
To enjoy taking a major role in a unique and exciting piece of theatre.
Skills Required:
 Ability to work closely with a team of fellow performers, directors,
designers, musicians and other creative team members
 An ability to take direction as well as bringing a strong sense of
creativity to the rehearsal process.
 An interest in sharing and/or developing knowledge in acting skills at
any level
 An interest in telling stories
 A reliable and friendly nature
 Ability to make friends
Potential Timetable:
Workshops and rehearsals will generally only take place on evenings
and weekends. The only possible exception might be at the end of the
rehearsal process during mid June.
January 2015 - Auditions
March/April 2015 – Skills workshops and rehearsals begin. (Weekday
evenings or Saturday daytimes)
May/June 2015 - Up to 3 sessions each week (Weekday evenings or
Saturday daytimes) for rehearsals.
June 15th – July 11th - Production and performance dates. Full cast required
for all performances. Monday - Saturday Evenings and Saturday Matinees.
No Sunday performances.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE DATES ARE PROVISIONAL GUIDELINES.
SPECIFIC SCHEDULES WILL BE ISSUED IN ADVANCE OF
REHEARSALS BEGINNING AND WILL DEPEND ON THE ROLE YOU ARE
OFFERED.