Media Release: Talented local youth theatre members represent Scotland this summer at international youth theatre festival

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MYFANWY Morgan, 15, from Thurso and Paul Barnes, 18, from Lochaber have been chosen to represent Scotland this summer at RE:LOCATION, a pioneering international youth theatre event held in Stavanger, Norway.

The two actors, who were nominated by their youth theatres (Eden Court Creative – Caithness Young Company & Eden Court CREATIVE – Lochaber Youth Theatre) to take part in group auditions at the National Theatre of Scotland in Glasgow, were two of only eight young people selected from applicants from all over Scotland to form a bespoke Scottish Company.

Myfanwy and Paul, who have been members of their respective theatre groups for several years, are both delighted to be part of the newly-formed company, and can’t wait to play their part in showcasing the best of young acting and theatre-making talent from Scotland.

Hosted by Rogaland Theatre, Norway, RE:LOCATION 2012 is a new international youth theatre project designed to celebrate excellence in performing arts.

Says a spokesperson: “Scotland is privileged to be one of only six nations invited to participate and is proud to be recognised as a leading nation in youth theatre arts in the Year of Creative Scotland.

“The creation of the Scottish Company is a collaborative artistic project led by Promote YT (Scotland), the national support and development organisation for youth theatre, in partnership with leading theatre company Visible Fictions and the National Theatre of Scotland, with investment from Creative Scotland.”

The spokesperson added: “This is a unique opportunity not only for the eight young people chosen, but also for the youth theatre sector of Scotland to benefit from sharing skills, ideas and inspiration with young people from across Europe.

“You can watch the journey of the Scottish Company unfold online during the next three months, from creating a new piece of theatre, to performances at the National Festival of Youth Theatre 2012 in Glenrothes, Fife, and at RE:LOCATION 2012, Norway.”

Said Colin Bradie, CEO/director, Promote YT (Scotland): “With over 80 youth theatres engaging 14,000 young people in positive creative activity each week youth theatre is very much alive and well in Scotland.

“Our invitation to participate in RE:LOCATION represents an amazing opportunity to showcase Scotland’s talents internationally and we, along with our partners, are delighted to put together a company of eight exceptional young theatre makers to fly our flag in Norway this summer.

“It will be an exceptional experience for them.”

Paul and Myfanwy’s exciting journey as part of the RE:LOCATION Scottish Company is only just beginning. To keep up with their journey and the project follow RE:LOCATION on Facebook, on Twitter #RESCOT2012, and on the Promote YT website.

Eden Court CREATIVE offers the largest arts education programme of any UK theatre. It runs over 60 classes a week in Inverness, and has a team of drama, dance and additional needs facilitators that work across all areas of the Highlands.

You can also take your SQA Higher Drama, Dance and Int 2 Drama exams through CREATIVE. Alongside this, Eden Court CREATIVE deliver bespoke training for businesses, run creative events and produce interactive performances for under-five’s.

So, if you’re interested in the arts Eden Court want you to get involved.

Whether it’s coming to classes, getting their drama workers involved in your school or making your office training day one to remember, Eden Court CREATIVE can help.

For more information check out the theatre’s website: www.eden-court.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

* For further information or images, please contact Iain Findlay-Walsh on iain@promoteyt.co.uk or 0131 538 0591

* To further information from Lochaber Youth Theatre please contact imunro@eden-court.co.uk or 01463 229 841

* All RE:LOCATION information is available on the Promote YT website www.promoteyt.co.uk

* Promote YT was incorporated in 2004 with the support of the Scottish Arts Council (now Creative Scotland) to develop youth theatre in Scotland. A youth theatre is considered as a group or an organisation, which engages young people as active participants in the performing arts, where their participation is central to the motivation of the creative process.

Youth theatre is an ideal medium to encourage the dreams and visions of young people and Promote YT is therefore committed to trying to ensure that every young person in Scotland has access to a safe, inclusive and rewarding youth theatre experience.

Promote YT carry out this role through providing advocacy, information services, events and training for the sector.

Promote YT produces events throughout the year including Scotland’s largest youth arts training conference ‘SKILL UP’ and, their most significant contribution to the sector, the National Festival of Youth Theatre (NFYT).

NFYT is an annual event of cultural importance engaging young people, leading artistic organisations and audiences from throughout Scotland in the celebration of youth theatre.

Promote YT is a member of Arts & Business, the Theatre Forum for Scotland, and the Federation of Scottish Theatre.

* Promote YT (Scotland) would like ackowledge investment from Creative Scotland.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by Eden Court Theatre. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Katyana Kozikowska
Phone: 01463 239 841
Email: kkozikowska@eden-court.co.uk
Website: http://www.eden-court.co.uk