OUT AT ONE END, IN AT THE OTHER.
Opportunity behind the scenes.It's rather a nice story, really. Oxford Playhouse Board has just seen the retirement of long-serving theatre man James Sargant, who also worked with the late Jill Fraser to make Newbury's Watermill Theatre a major regional theatre and birthplace of several distinguished directorial reputations. In the days of TV searches for what can sometimes seem almost pre-determined onstage musical stars, it is a refreshing variation to find Sargant's work in theatre honoured by bringing on young people in two areas that don't enter the limellight: technical and administrative workers.
First award-winner, Amy Mulholland has acted in Oxford, round the corner from the Playhouse at the student-dominated Burton-Tylor studio theatre, as well as being Education Officer for a production of Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. And now she's just begun a programme that will take her, by the end of June, from selling tickets in the Playhouse box office to the Director's office, as well as working on technical aspects of visiting shows and education-related projects, as an introduction to a life in the arts.
It is Sargant's belief that the nurturing of young talent is the lifeblood of first class theatre, but that the opportunities he benefited from some decades ago as an undergraduate no longer exist. Playhouse Director Michelle Dickson says: "Our long term plan is to involve other theatres for placements, especially those where James has been associated, so this is just the planting of the acorn!"
The six month Bursary allows two young people to benefit each year. One placement is for University of Oxford graduates, to help them make the transition from student drama to professional theatre; this bursary signifies the close association between Oxford Playhouse and the University. The other placement is open to anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
Amy Mulholland's CV to date suggests practical experience to back up personal interest will be a useful help towards a bursary. The next recipient (who need not be an Oxford person) will take up their place in June 2009; details of how to apply will be available nearer the time (ah, but, when? - keep a look-out if you're interested) on www.oxfordplayhouse.com.
2008-12-12 01:27:30