The London-based theatre company have announced details of its programme of theatre workshops delivered over Zoom to continue its mission of supporting artists during the COVID-19 closure of the theatre industry.
Throughout June, the theatre company’s Part of the Grid: Virtual Theatre Workshops includes reprises of popular former courses such as QLab and Dramaturgy, as well as new four-part courses on writing short plays and creating digital theatre work. Part of the Main is matching a generous donation from playwright Matilda Ibini to make twenty bursary spots available for Black artists across the month’s courses.
Founded in 2017 by Artistic Director Olivia Monk, Part of the Main aims to provide opportunities and support to women, trans and non-binary artists in the UK. Its programme of theatre tech, design, and producing workshops, entitled ‘Part of the Grid’, was launched alongside Part of the Main’s company residency at the Drayton Arms Theatre in 2018. These workshops are open to anyone interested in gaining new skills and training within the theatre industry.
Part of the Grid officially launched in December 2018 with a sold-out, two-day course on Lighting and Sound Design at the Drayton Arms Theatre. while courses have included Stage Management led by Ellie Muscutt, stage manager for Heathers and School of Rock; Costume and Sound Design led by scenographer Alison Neighbour. It went online in April, featuring free workshops such as ‘ACE Emergency Funds’ assistance workshop led by Old Vic Artist Development coordinator Alistair Wilkinson.
June’s twelve workshops include a reprise of Will Alder’s QLab workshops (Introduction, Video Basics, and Intermediate), as well as a new QLab Tutorial, which takes place over the course of a day and is capped to six participants. Meanwhile, Laura Horton of Laura Horton PR will be leading a crash course on publicity for theatre artists (June 19), and marketer Isabel Dixon (The Pleasance, VAULT Festival, Chloé Nelkin PR) will coach participants on the basics of marketing theatre on a shoestring budget (June 24).
Free bursary spaces are available for Black artists on the majority of June workshops, and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To learn more about Part of the Main visit the company’s website (partofthemain.com), and more about individual courses on Part of the Grid’s webpage (bit.ly/partofthegrid).