Chimerica Residency, City and Islington College. Photo by Ludovic des Cognets

American Psycho Residency, Highbury Grove School. Photo by Christopher Lawson

This report aims to provide an overview of people. Indeed, 2013/14 was a busy year for Almeida Projects’ activity during the 2013/14 Almeida Projects, delivering 15 projects across financial year. three strands of work – Schools and Education, Community and Participation, and Training and 2013/14 has been a time of transition for the Advocacy. We worked with: Almeida Theatre, and consequently Almeida Projects, with the arrival of new Artistic  5,027 people in total Director Rupert Goold.  1,000 in a sustained way (i.e. a project lasting more than 8 hours) However, the Almeida is as committed as ever,  260 of these intensively, over the period under his direction, to ensuring that as many of a year children and young people as possible have the  4,055 as audiences (either seeing our opportunity to access its unique theatre. Over work for free or for a hugely subsidised the last year, Almeida Projects has delivered a rate, and/or participating in show-related broad programme of high quality and workshops) innovative activity for, by and with young

Young Friends Touring Company, Envelopes. Photo by Boris Witzenfeld by Christopher Lawson

At one end of the scale, our schools work supported young people as audiences through a heavily subsidised ticket scheme; and at the other end of the scale it worked intensively with 10 local partner secondary schools, providing free tickets to shows and supporting classroom learning through skills-workshops and by delivering term-long cross-schools Residencies, led by industry professionals and culminating in shared performances on the Almeida stage.

Subsidised Ticket Scheme. This is a hugely subsidised scheme for schools all over the country – just £12 per ticket for top price tickets for our key borough schools – Islington, Camden, Hackney, Haringey and Tower Hamlets; and £20 for all others. The price also includes a free introductory (pre-show) or critical response (post-show) workshop in the group’s school. In 2013/14, 1,156 students benefited from the subsidised ticket scheme, with 378 students participating in workshops.

Show # Subsidised Tkts # Students in Workshops # Access all Areas Tkts Before the Party 51 0 N/A Chimerica 144 35 N/A Ghosts 495 132 142 American Psycho 251 124 195 1984 215 87 201 Figure 1

In 2013/14, the Almeida worked in partnership with 10 schools. We consulted with our teachers to plan an annual programme of work that gave the students in each school the opportunity watch shows, participate in workshops and residencies, work with industry professionals and perform on the Almeida Theatre stage.

Our work with schools fell into three categories:  Classroom Opportunities – workshops, 1984 Residency, EGA School. Photo by Sid Ali by Chris Lawson theatre sessions and performance projects for students, taking place in the classroom “The Almeida Theatre is an incredibly special and at the Almeida Theatre  Teacher Opportunities – creative and place; in my opinion no other theatre can match professional development opportunities for the work it does with young people to stimulate teaching staff, including consultation and and enthuse their passion for the arts.” advocacy and classroom resources  Developing Talent Opportunities – advocacy encouraging student participation in their own time, designed to link back into Access All Areas. In September 2013, we and support their school career and creative introduced Access All Areas to our partnership life agreement, a programme offering free tickets for our partner schools – in order to embed more Our partner schools are from Islington and local young people into our core audience and neighbouring boroughs – all complex, culturally give them access to high-quality theatre in a diverse, and socially and economically deprived supported, structured environment. inner-city boroughs. For numerous reasons of financial, social and ethnic background, it can The programme began in September 2013, be difficult for the young people of these offering each teacher from our 10 local schools boroughs to easily experience or participate in up to 20 free tickets each to bring a class / high quality arts experiences. Almeida Projects’ selected students to every show for the duration challenging and inspiring theatre projects of the partnership (five productions, with up to actively, and purposefully, engage young 200 tickets per production for the partnership people; enhancing and improving the quality of agreement, but three productions for this their lives and equipping them with skills that reporting period). In 2013/14, 538 young will help them in the future: increased self- people saw these productions for free. See confidence, acquisition of job skills, figure 1 above for breakdown. development of creative thinking and communication skills.

Almeida Projects worked with 10 classes, KS3, GCSE and A-Level students, over three residency projects linked to Chimerica, American Psycho and 1984.

Chimerica Residency Directed by Anna Tolputt and Robin Guiver, with Anna Landi This devised performance project was inspired by the Almeida's production of Chimerica, working with AS Level Drama students from City and Islington College. Students attended the production of Chimerica at the Almeida before working with a director and movement director intensively in college lesson times over three weeks to devise a new piece of theatre inspired by the themes of protest, uprising and East-meets-West. Each group devised 10 minutes’ worth of material, which was woven Chimerica Residency, CandI. Photo by Ludovic des Cognets together on the performance day. drawing parallels between his life and the 44 A-Level Drama students, over three experiences of young people today. groups, had four intensive sessions each; plus one combined rehearsal and performance The project aimed to foster a company dynamic, day mimicking the professional theatre process of

making a performance, therefore looking at non- “It was amazing to work on a professional stage performance elements as well as acting and and know how that feels!” performance skills. The performance itself included music and movement as well as acting. They performed on the set of American Psycho

in January 2014, to an invited audience of American Psycho Residency friends and family. Directed by Rachel Bagshaw and Elidh

Debonnaire, with Matthew Comisky 22 year nine students; 20 hours rehearsal; Almeida Projects worked with year nine one performance students at Highbury Grove School to devise a

20 minute performance inspired by American Psycho. The starting point was the character of “I loved what they achieved. The group are Patrick Bateman, looking at the story from his already planning their next piece of musical perspective, but changing it to theirs and theatre inspired by their work.”

1984 Residency specifically puppetry/physical storytelling and Five classes, from four schools participated in characterisation. this project. Students worked with a team of facilitators in their schools to devise a new piece Six classes across three schools, with 81 of theatre inspired by the theme of surveillance students in total in 1984, specifically the question: are we being watched? Students saw the production during “It has been a delight to witness individuals the project, and were given a bag of stimuli relating to the show, before individually really grow over the sessions. A couple who devising approx. five minutes’ worth of material displayed disruptive behaviour in the beginning each, which was then woven together as one became totally involved in the work and were performance. even used as leaders in some sections of the

final performance.” Creative Team: Scott Le Crass, Elizabth Bacon, Paul Edwards, Anouke Bokkerink, Rachel Bagshaw, Elizabeth Williams, Lauren La Rocque, Clare Bracewell, Keegan Peacey and Petcha Kutcha Nadia Papachronopoulou Directed by Jon Armstrong and Laura Rolinson Five groups of students, 117 in total, from A short- term project in association with BITC four schools, each participating in 10 sessions (Business in the community), where nine Young in school before performing at the Almeida people from City and Islington College devised a 30-minute warm-up performance on how to deliver a presentation in the style of Pecha “The practitioners were of a very high standard Kucha for more than 80 year nine pupils at a and it was a pleasure to have them in school, as Pecha Kucha event run by BITC. The aim of it always is.” the day was to encourage students to be creative and feel confident in speaking in front of each other. Business volunteers helped the pupils Taster Skills Workshops practice skills needed to communicate Led by Jon Armstrong, Elizabeth Bacon, instinctively, and, at the end of the day, all Rachel Bagshaw and Andrea Pierides pupils were asked to present to the whole group Working across three partner schools, City and in a Pecha Kucha style presentation. The role of Islington College, Elizabeth Garret Anderson Almeida Projects, through the short and Mount Carmel, Almeida Projects delivered performance, was to introduce the Pecha Kucha a series of taster workshops designed to format to the students, as well as break the ice introduce key theatre skills to support the study and get the pupils feeling comfortable and of Drama at GCSE and A-Level. The aim of the engaged. sessions varied from school to school, but were intended to develop students’ core skills in Nine students rehearsed over six sessions to theatre craft and the semiotics of performance, perform to more than 80 young people

Transitions Key successes of the Schools and This work experience project aimed to provide students at our Education Programme in partner schools with genuine work-based learning 2013/14: experiences, in order to encourage more students from our partner schools to become Young Friends of the Almeida, ‒ Worked with 10 schools across creating peer-advocates to ‘sell’ the scheme to their student four boroughs peers. Nine students from five of our partner schools took part in marketing and presentation skills masterclasses, led by ‒ Worked with 320 young people Almeida Theatre staff. Then, using their learning, were through Residencies asked to give a presentation pitching their ideas about how to tackle the low take up of the Young Friend of the Almeida ‒ Provided 538 free tickets to scheme from partner schools. The students delivered Almeida Theatre shows articulate and well-thought out solutions – one of which, the Almeida Young Company, was implemented as a direct ‒ Provided 1,156 heavily result of this feedback. subsidised tickets for young people

“I enjoyed meeting so many new people around the theatre ‒ All Schools and Education and getting a taste of a new, professional working projects met their aims from the environment with various roles, and I have learnt how to perspective of the teachers and present a good presentation: eye contact, clarity, be the participants – and evidenced confident.” notable improvement in terms of confidence, communication, team building and theatre skills.

Summary Our Partner Schools in 2013/14: In an ever-changing education landscape, Almeida Projects believes that it is important to support schools with quality Gold Schools arts provision to ensure that we are reaching everyone – not Elizabeth Garret Anderson School just those who are already keen and committed – and to Highbury Fields School ensure that our work is accessible for a diverse range of Highbury Grove School young people. Through our schools work we are reaching a Mount Carmel Catholic College large number of young people and providing them with for Girls access to their local theatre. Through this work, we also want to find and nurture the best possible artists. If we don’t, we Silver Schools risk only finding those who are privileged enough to access City and Islington College the arts – which is a minority of people.

Bronze Schools We also believe that we have a role to play in supporting Bethnal Green Academy schools to shape the future agenda for arts education. Camden School for Girls

Central Foundation Boys' School

Fortismere School St Thomas More Catholic School

. Photo by Katherine Leedale by Katherine . Photo

CommonWealth

Our Community and Participation work encompasses all of the work that we do outside of formal education: the numerous opportunities that we provide for young people to participate in theatre-focused activities in their own time, continuing their relationship with the theatre independently outside of their school setting, and learning new skills and meeting like-minded young people. This work includes the Young Friends of the Almeida (YFA) scheme, Almeida Young Company, the Creative Board and Almeida Academy.

The Young Friend of the Almeida Scheme. The cost of membership of our Young Friend of the Almeida scheme – a membership programme for young people aged 13 to 25 – was increased to £15 per year (from £5) in September 2013 – still great value for money. Membership includes:  A series of FREE events, talks, workshops and projects led by industry experts, designed to give insight into the world of producing theatre  Monthly e-bulletins informing members about opportunities to get involved in projects at the Almeida and elsewhere  Hugely subsidised tickets to Almeida shows – just £5  A 15% discount at the Almeida café

There are a number of projects that Young Friends can participate in over the course of an academic year. In 2013/14, we offered one year-long project, a series of shorter term- long projects, and half-term masterclasses.

LAB and CommonWealth Almeida LAB is a company of young investigative performers who are interested in creating theatre. Working with a professional writer, workshop leader and assistant, over five whole day sessions, participants explored plays from the Almeida Theatre’s 2012/13 season, examining the themes and ideas which affect young people in order to generate material for the playwright. Using their ideas, the writer created a brand new play for young people.

From May, they met twice weekly to rehearse. They developed skills required of a professional theatre performer including managing time, line CommonWealth. Photo by Katherine Leedale learning, vocal and movement skills, and working as part of a company. 20 young people, five R&D sessions; three months of evening and weekend rehearsals; They worked with the production team at the three performances of a brand new play

Almeida throughout rehearsals and production week to experience full technical and dress “The most challenging thing was realising that rehearsals before performing in front of a all of the work that we did in the workshops was paying audience. The play, CommonWealth, going to be in the show, and we needed to and was written by Roz Wylie and directed by Caitlin McLeod. improve these pieces and fit them into each other seamlessly. It was a lot of hard work and Two LAB participants followed a directing and required a lot of forward thinking.” writing pathway. In addition to attending rehearsals, these participants also worked together outside of sessions, under professional guidance, to create a 10-minute curtain raiser “Raw, energised, heartfelt work from Young performance, Peripheral Vision, which was Friends and Roz Wylie.” performed by other Young Friends.

Young Friends Touring Company YFTC is made up of a company of young people who are dedicated to theatre making as either performers, or in other roles, and are interested in pursuing a career in the theatre industry.

They worked with a director to devise a piece of educational theatre for year seven to nine students. The process was collaborative and genuinely reflected the process of creating work YFTC, Envelopes. Photo by Boris Witzenfeld in a professional producing theatre. The company acquired skills including devising “Excellent performance and the workshop was from a given stimulus, giving their work an educational context, making it appropriate and adapted to fit the needs of two very different relevant for a specific target audience, and groups successfully.” working with industry professionals.

In 2013/14 there were two YFTC projects: Masterclasses and Workshops. Over the Envelopes, inspired Ghosts, and Doublethink, course of the year, Young Friends were invited inspired by 1984. to participate in a series of specialist masterclasses and workshops, including: Envelopes was performed by a cast of six Young Friends, under the direction Festival Workshops. Bryony Kimmings led a of Chris Lawson and Liz Williams. workshop on how to develop autobiographical The 20-minute piece of theatre, with an work; Tim Crouch and Andy Smith led a accompanying workshop, explored the session on what it takes to make theatre; Made themes of secrets and family and how In China led a workshop on their approach to our lives intersect with one another. It theatre making; toured to seven local schools in the GETINTHEBACKOFTHEVAN led a session Autumn Term, performing 12 times. on extreme approaches to devising; The Dialogue Project explored their approach to Doublethink was performed by a cast of seven conversation and performance; and The Debate Young Friends, under the direction of Jon Society provided participants with insight into Armstrong and Andrea Pierides. The piece their working process. Six workshops; 71 explored the key question: are we being Young Friends watched? It toured to seven local schools in the

Autumn Term, performing 13 times. Half-Term Masterclasses. These took place 13 young performers; 25 performances; over both the autumn and spring half-terms in watched by 715 other young people Building a Character, Physical Theatre, Audition Technique, Improvisation, Voice and creating a play in a day. 114 Young Friends.

SketchFest Sketchfest was the culmination of an 8-week writing project. Young Friends wrote sketches, monologues, vignettes and scenes, and put them all together into one piece of theatre called Love, Death and the Underground for a cast of 10 Young Friends to perform.

10 young people performed to an audience of 96 people Play Development Project. Photo by Boris Witzenfeld

Play Development Project “Without the support and encouragement of the Focussing on the idea of adaptation, a group of Almeida, I wouldn't have the skills or confidence seven young writers, aged between 15 and 25, identified an existing text and adapted it as to begin my career. The year has enabled me to group into one cohesive piece of theatre. grow creatively, explore new roles and gain invaluable experience." Working over eight sessions, the Young Friends worked with Boris Witzenfeld and Young Friend Elliot Hall to adapt Heinrich Hoffman’s In 2013/14, we have seen a significant shift in Shock Headed Peter, turning the prose into a the success of our Creative Board. They have theatrical script. moved into producing their own work, with the Almeida providing space and guidance to The piece was performed on the Almeida stage, support this, resulting in two performances both over the Easter holidays by another group of entirely produced entirely by them: Young Friends. This is Not an Exit Creative Board This piece of physical theatre inspired by the The YFA scheme is governed by its own group Almeida’s production of American Psycho, of 10 young people who produce their own explored the key questions relating to work and are mentored by members of Almeida consumerism and nihilism in today's society, staff. The 2013/14 Creative Board are: and the rhythm of daily life in a busy world.

-Artistic Leadership: Elliot Hall and Maggie Algorithm Mohamed Inspired by the key question: are we being -Events and Fundraising: Beatrix Webb and watched?, Algorithm is the story of a man who Alice Goss joins an online dating agency and lies on his -Projects: Katie Stachniewska profile - but in this dystopian society, lies have -Marketing: Sarah King and Jack Haynes consequences… -Administration: Kayleigh Marsh Davis and Charlotte Hall -Peer Mentor: Isabelle Holland

Almeida Young Company This was the first year of our targeted programme for young Summary people aged 13 to 16. The group first launched in September It has been a busy year for our 2013 and have met weekly to create their own work under the Community and Participation guidance of the Samantha Adams, Lauren LaRocque, Keegan work. The integration of the Pacey and Matthew Comisky. Young Company members are Creative Board into the fabric of the organisation has been a also Young Friends. Young Company, run in partnership particular highlight, and the with St Mary’s Community Partnership, consciously recruits generation of yet another high participants from our partner schools to ensure progression quality script, CommonWealth, for through our overall programme from a wide demographic, young casts to perform increases and to ensure that we provide a structured out-of-school our portfolio of commissioned learning environment for young people who may not plays by and for young people to traditionally access our work independently. 11. As the arts become less of a priority in school, the importance 26 young people, two performances, watched by 256 of participatory activity outside of people the classroom is paramount.

Almeida Academy Key successes of the Community Now in its third year, Almeida Academy is growing from and Participation Programme in strength to strength. These Saturday drama classes from the 2013/14: Almeida Theatre for young people aged 5 to 14 are for all abilities. Working with a range of practitioners, young people ‒ Worked with 532 young people have the opportunity to learn about theatre through through 10 Community and performing, devising, games and other skills workshops. The Participation projects Almeida Academy is about having fun and nurturing a love of theatre; encouraging all young people to gain confidence, ‒ At the end of the financial year, become inspired and develop their creative talents. membership of YFA stands at 741, with 139 new members An average of 61 young performers per term; three final joining in 13/14 performances, inspired by Chimerica, Ghosts and 1984; watched by 484 friends and family ‒ Provided 64 £5 Happy Mondays tickets for Young Friends to ‒ 92% of participants said that Academy had an impact on Almeida Theatre shows their team working skills ‒ All Community and Participation ‒ 69% stated that they feel like they have lots of experience in projects met their aims from the drama as a result of the Academy perspective of the participants, and participants displayed notable improvement in terms of “I have learnt lots of new skills and made some great new confidence, communication, team friends – I love it!” building and theatre skills.

Eilidh Debonnaire. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

Our Training and Advocacy work is a programme of training for facilitators of work for, by and with young people. Training runs through everything that we do as we continuously strive to find innovative ways to empower artists to raise the standard and status of working with young people within the industry. We have three major training initiatives:

‒ A Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Theatre: Facilitation. This year-long course is open to up to eight trainee workshop leaders. ‒ Theatre Masterclasses. These peer-led training sessions help to build on existing facilitation skills. ‒ One-Week Facilitation Course. This intensive, five-day course is designed for those who are interested in learning about the art of facilitation.

“After this course, I feel far more confident, having had the opportunity to plan, deliver and lead various bits of the workshops. I feel in a much better position to facilitate.”

Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Theatre: Facilitation Summary We run this is accredited Facilitation course in partnership with Since 2008, 44 facilitators Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, providing high- have been through our quality training for those interested in facilitation. The course facilitation programme; 25 involves training and practical placements at the Almeida before it became linked Theatre, and academic research at RCSSD. with RCSSD and 19 since. More than 70% of In September 2013, six trainees completed the course for the the trainees have returned to academic year 2012/13, and eight new trainees began for work with Almeida 2013/14 Projects, and many now work as freelancers and/or Theatre Masterclasses full time members of Our monthly Theatre Masterclasses are designed for practising education departments for a facilitators and teachers to brush up on their facilitation skills. huge array of organisations. Masterclasses in 2013/14 included creating character, devising in short time-frames, directing ensembles, magic in theatre, We recognise the lack of accessibility and inclusivity, and improvisation. All were peer- professional development in led professional development opportunities delivered by our this field, and the difficulty resident team of facilitators, and open to other facilitators and for freelancers to attend teachers in the industry. training; but one of our key ambitions is to elevate the 58 people attended six masterclasses from October 2013 to status of facilitation in the March 2014 industry by providing high quality training and One-Week Facilitation Course continued professional In 2013/14, we ran three five-day courses, designed for anyone development in this field. interested in the field of facilitation. Each course focussed on planning and evaluating workshops, managing behaviour and Key successes of the group dynamics, working as a freelancer, and building a toolkit Training and Advocacy of games and exercises. Programme in 2013/14:

34 aspiring facilitators completed the course in 2013/14 ‒ 100% of participants on our training programmes felt that the course met its “The Almeida Masterclasses are invaluable. They allow us to aims and they all rated the examine our own practice, and update and expand the range of course and its leaders as exercises and activities we offer participants, in a fun and excellent. supportive environment. They also allow us to glimpse the ‒ 44 facilitators trained, and methods, games and ideas used by fellow practitioners.” eight more are due to graduate in September 2014.

None of this work would be possible Facilitators, Artists and Companies: without the dedication and commitment of Samantha Adams the Almeida Projects Team, including staff, Jon Armstrong trainees, freelancers and the Creative Rachel Bagshaw Board; all of our partners; and the Kate Budgen generosity of those that support and fund Anouke Bokkerink this work. Tim Crouch Eilidh Debonnaire Core Staff: Paul Edwards Director of Projects Jordana Goulborn Samantha Lane Elliot Griggs Co-Director of Projects (until July 2013) Robin Guiver EJ Trivett Oliver Hyams Community and Participation Manager Louie Keen Boris Witzenfeld Bryony Kimmings Schools and Education Manager (until Scott Le Crass August 2013) Georgia Lowe Charlie Payne Caitlin McLeod Schools and Education Manager (from Natalie Mitchell August 2013) Katie Morgan Christopher Lawson Max Pappenheim Training and Advocacy Coordinator Andy Smith Sarah Tarry Alex Thorpe Community Apprentice Anna Tolputt Lauren LaRocque Michael Webstall (student placement) Roz Wylie 2012/13 Trainee Workshop Leaders: GETINTHEBACKOFTHEVAN Jasmin Anderson The Debate Society Elizabth Bacon The Dialogue Project Anna Landi Made in China Lyndsay Marsden Laura Purling Creative Board: Sara Robertson Alice Goss Charlotte Hall 2013/14 Trainee Workshop Leaders: Elliot Hall Yolanda Aladeshelu Jack Haynes Clare Bracewell Isabelle Holland Matthew Comiskey Sarah King Nadia Papachronopoulou Kayleigh Marsh Davis Keegan Peacey Maggie Mohamed Andrea Pierides Katie Stachniewska Laura Rolinson Beatrix Webb Elizabeth Williams

Partners: Trainee Workshop Leaders have been AESEG – Islington Council generously supported by the following Bethnal Green Academy Bursary Donors: Camden School for Girls The Sackler Trust Central Foundation Boys' School Charles and Nicky Manby

City and Islington College We would also like to thank the generosity of Elizabeth Garret Anderson School individuals who support Almeida Projects Fortismere School through various Almeida Theatre events. Highbury Fields School Highbury Grove School London Theatre Consortium Mount Carmel Catholic College for Girls Royal Central School of Speech and Drama St Mary’s Community Partnership St Thomas More Catholic School

Almeida Projects Supporters: Andor Charitable Trust

Andrea Sullivan Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Anonymous The Arsenal Foundation

Aspen Witzenfeld Boris Budgens Islington Chapman Charitable Trust Charles Skey Charitable Trust by Photo . Simon & Caroline Clark Elm Capital Associates Ltd The Garfield Weston Foundation The Worshipful Company of Grocers The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity Islington Council

Jack Petchey Foundation

The Mildred Duveen Charitable Trust

2013 Autumn Masterclass, Auditions Mishcon de Reya

Noël Coward Foundation

The Ormonde and Mildred Duveen Trust Pinsent Masons The Rayne Foundation The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust The Steel Charitable Trust