This Summer York Theatre Royal will be hosting series of new events organised by project group Futureproof.
The Futureproof Team are a group of individuals from various creative backgrounds and walks of life who have been brought together by YTR to explore how younger people connect to the theatre and to find new ways to increase engagement. The group have been working with the theatre over the last year as part of a paid opportunity to develop their knowledge of working in the arts and to offer their insights into how culture can connect with people in their everyday lives.
The event line- up includes sessions that are a mix of ‘pay what you choose’ and free workshops:
*Step Into The Water Movement Workshops (13, 20 & 27 Jul, 6.30pm) – free movement and dance workshops with York dance legend Christie Barnes and Futureproof team member Maddy Winter, that gently guide you through the formation, ecology and folklore of the Yorkshire Wolds chalk streams.
*Sound & Story Workshop (14 Jul, 4.30pm) – a workshop exploring how music is made for film and theatre. The Sound and Story workshop will give young people the opportunity to become a composer, without having to use musical language! Meet with Samuel and Damien, who will guide you through the process of taking an idea and creating a piece of music from it. Get the chance to see how their instruments work and try them yourself.
* Grief Cafe Workshop (28 Jul, 4.30pm) – a free session particularly aimed at 18–35-year-olds who have experienced bereavement and are interested in exploring creativity in a supportive and welcoming environment. The Café is a gentle creative space where you can explore art, music, and theatre at your own pace. There’s no pressure, just a welcoming environment to connect with creativity and with others who may also be navigating grief. On 11 Jul there will also be a relaxed, drop-in Grief Cafe event at the theatre between 10am-1pm. Sign up here.
*Opposites Attract Scratch Night (08 Aug) – an evening in the Studio celebrating new creatives and new work. The theme ‘Opposites Attract’ comes from the idea that there are many things that give people joy, purpose, belonging, and entertainment — such as maths and science — which seem to be mutually exclusive to theatre.
Juliet Forster, Creative Director at York Theatre Royal said “It’s been wonderful to work with the Futureproof team over the last year to get their brilliant insights and invaluable input into our work to engage with younger audiences. The event programme over the next month is an exciting culmination of all their hard work and reflections on how we expand our offering at the theatre to reach a more diverse audience, and remain relevant and vital to our community into the future.”
More details can be found here.
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