Applications are now open for Young Octagon 2022/3!
We are now recruiting for the next cohort of Young Octagon. Young Octagon is our performance company, developing excellence in young actors aged 13-19 (up to 25 for participants with additional needs). The company offers committed young people the chance to work with professional directors and creatives, to create bold and adventurous pieces of theatre for performance. Our Young Octagon 2021-22 worked on Remote, a National Theatre Connections play by Stef Smith, directed by Amy Hailwood, which they performed at The Octagon and The Lowry in Spring 2022.
Who is it for?
Young Octagon is for young people who are interested in a more intensive and demanding performance experience than they might access in our other youth theatre provision. It is for participants with some performance experience who are ready to progress further, would like more opportunities to perform and who are considering acting as a potential career.
What is the commitment and cost?
Young Octagon involves young people committing for the full academic year (3 x10 week terms running from September 2022 to July 2023). Young Octagon will meet on Thursday evenings, 7pm-9pm. Extra rehearsal sessions and exclusive opportunities will be programmed throughout the year.
The cost for the year is £285 (payable across two instalments).
Young Octagon is a yearlong commitment, and all participants will work towards a major performance in the spring/summer. Therefore, if you are selected to join this year’s cohort, we would expect you to commit to the following:
- Attend weekly two hour sessions (Thursday evenings) during term time
- Attend rehearsals outside of session time during the run up to performance dates (sometimes includes weekends and during the holiday period)
- Perform in the spring/summer term performance (approx 2/3 evening performances)
How do I apply?
We warmly welcome all young people in the age range above to consider applying for Young Octagon. To apply you will need to complete the application form; answering a few questions about you and why you’d like to be a part of Young Octagon. Once we have received and reviewed your application we will either allocate you a place in the audition workshop or suggest other Octagon programmes that we feel would be better suited to you at this time.
The audition workshop is an opportunity for young people to work with the Creative Engagement team to demonstrate their talent and attitude to performance. It will be relaxed and informal; it does not involve preparing anything in advance.
If you’re interested in applying, complete the online form here by Sunday 26th June.
We will be holding two audition workshops: Tuesday 28th June (6.30-8.30pm) and Saturday 2nd July (10.30am-12.30pm). Please note that you only need to attend one audition workshop but you must be able to attend a workshop in order to be considered for Young Octagon. You must complete our application form in order to be invited to an audition workshop.
Places will be allocated on the quality of your audition and application, however priority will be given to those who are based in the Bolton area or who can demonstrate they have a connection to Bolton.
For more information, please contact participation@octagonbolton.co.uk