Community Post Type: Callouts

Future Yard, a community music venue in Birkenhead, and The Learning Foundry, an Ofsted-Good rated local training provider, are expanding their exciting new training programmes to support young people into careers in live events and the live music industry.

From sound engineers to festival bookers, lighting designers to concert promoters, the two training programmes will introduce people from the Wirral and Merseyside to a range of job roles, and the skills needed to build a career in the live music industry.

Sound Check is open to young people 16+ who are living in the Liverpool City Region and have a passion for live music. There are different ways to get involved depending on the time young people can commit: either Monday evenings for 12 weeks, or 4 days per week for 18 weeks. 

The free to attend programmes are made up of study, alongside real-life work experience at Future Yard, to gain hands-on skills at live events. Outside of the programmed training sessions there will be additional hands on experience at weekend or evening shows.

Sound Check is a training programme built by the live music indsutry, for the live music indsutry – it is designed to lead into paid employment in the sector. A large number of previous Sound Check learners have progressed to vibrant live music industry careers – from apprenticeships with local events company Adlib to London’s Royal Opera House, or staging weekend festivals and open mic nights at Future Yard. 

Jacob has progressed into paid work at Future Yard since completing the course. He said: “Sound Check is a brilliant way to get hands on experience in the industry. I’ve enjoyed being here when bands are loading in and helping with the stage setup – it’s not just being told about it in a classroom.

“It’s given me a lot of experience and I hope to stay on working at Future Yard, getting more experience in this venue and then to work at other venues. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in music. It is a great insight and gives you a good foot in the door.”

Current learner Charlotte said: “I would recommend this course to anyone who enjoys music and wants to understand how the music industry works. It’s an opportunity to learn skills you can’t learn anywhere else – things like learning about how a soundboard works and setting up a stage. And getting free tickets to gigs is a bonus! 

“I now know I want to be an event manager for gigs and work with live music in general. It’s given me confidence and shown me how to progress.”

The free to access programme focuses on two areas; Technical Production and Live Music Event Management. These are then followed by an independent group project, in which participants utilise their new skills to deliver a live event.

Future Yard Co-founder, Craig Pennington, said: “Sound Check is a vital part of our skills and training offer at Future Yard. It’s all about inspiring local young people to turn their passion for live music into a fulfilling career. Working with The Learning Foundry on two versions of the programme will allow us to train even more passionate music lovers from the area and show them about the career prospects that are available in the live events sector. No previous experience is needed – just a passion for music!”

The programme is delivered by Future Yard’s hugely experienced team of tutors and boasts a broad range of guest speakers from across the industry. No previous experience is required. 

For more information, and to apply, visit https://futureyard.org/soundcheck/

Paperwork Theatre are seeking an actor-musician for their production of DEEP BLUE produced for the Liverpool Everyman Theatre main stage this autumn.

Breakdown

Alex (also multi-rolling as Mrs Worthington)
Reilly’s best friend from Uni. She’s wild and romantic but flakey as.
Queer female, playing age 30-40.
Accomplished actor musician vocals/guitar (bass guitar and keyboard desirable)

Dates

Rehearsals 26th September -14th October
Tech & show week 17th-22nd October
Fee – equity minimum rates
Travel and accommodation included.

About the play

DEEP BLUE is a raw, tender and comic exploration of what it means to belong, punctuated by an original
indie-rock soundtrack. DEEP BLUE premiered digitally in 2021. It will be staged live in Autumn 2022 in Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

To apply

Please send a showreel and a copy of your CV including a link to your Spotlight profile if applicable to
info@paperworktheatre.co.uk

Include: DEEP BLUE CASTING in the subject title.

Closing date: midnight on Saturday 10th September.

If shortlisted, applicants must be free to attend an audition on 12th September at a Liverpool City Centre
Location.

At Paperwork Theatre, they aim to achieve a balanced portrayal of Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and
Deaf and Disabled people in their performances.

They are particularly keen to hear from performers from underrepresented backgrounds and to engage with
diverse performers in their productions.

Write to Work is a FREE 6-week course for unemployed residents from the Liverpool City Region, looking to gain confidence in their writing skills, meet a creative community and get published!

Be part of a group, meeting weekly in person, to learn from brilliant writers and agents such as Yvonne Battle Felton, Cheryl Martin, Amina Atiq, Clare Coombes and Ginni Manning.

Closing date to apply is 9th September 2022, midday.

Eligibility: You must be 18+, unemployed, eligible to work within the UK and live in the LCR

To Apply, please click here: https://writingonthewall.org.uk/projects/write-to-work-directions/ For further queries please email Lauren Buxton at Write2Work@writingonthewall.org.uk

Calling all young rappers, beatboxers, dancers, poets and actors. Are you interested in joining 20 Stories High Youth Theatre? Or want to try something new?

Head along to their next skills workshop – where you will get the chance to play games, meet new people and create new kinds of drama!

No active experience necessary.

Suitable for ages 14-21.

When: Tuesday 13th September, 7-9pm
Where: Unity Theatre, Hope Place, L1 9BG

Book your place by calling Donna on 07792 567 112 or emailing donna@20storieshigh.org.uk

From 24th September until 2nd October Booker Flowers and Gifts are celebrating action on climate change and are hoping to raise as much money as possible for an environmental project at Calderstones School in Liverpool.

Booker Flowers and Gifts are spending the week promoting the issues around climate change. They will have a ‘Green’ window display in their shop, and they are revamping the flower barrels outside the row of shops on Booker Avenue. So if you are in the area of Booker Avenue, make sure you come and take a look.

Booker Flowers and Gifts will be running a competition to win lots of amazing prizes and every person that makes a donation will be entered to win a beautiful bouquet (just make sure you include your full name when you make a donation.)

Plus they will be selling a beautiful Charity Bouquet and will donate £5 from every charity bouquet sold to this worthy cause.

They hope you can all support this event and help raise as much money as possible, which will go towards an environmental project at Calderstones High School, to not only protect the environment but also the community in which we live.

The Liverpool Florists, are passionate about being eco-friendly, supporting the community, and helping the environment at the same time, so are really looking forward to taking part in The Great Big Green Week this year. They took part last year and raised £243!

Donations can be made on their Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/great-big-green-week or in their Flower Shop on Booker Avenue.

Paperwork Theatre are seeking 2 actor-musicians for their production of DEEP BLUE produced for the Liverpool Everyman Theatre main stage this autumn.

Breakdown

Matt – male, playing age 30-40. Must be an accomplished guitarist and singer.
The guy from Tesco. He’s charming, he’s funny, he’s attentive – he’s perfect boyfriend material for Reilly.

Harry – any gender, playing age 25-40. Must be an experienced drummer with acting experience.
The houseplant. Reilly’s only companion.

Dates

Rehearsals 26th September -14th October
Tech & show week 17th-22nd October
Fee – equity minimum rates

About the play

DEEP BLUE is a raw, tender and comic exploration of what it means to belong, punctuated by an original
indie-rock soundtrack.

DEEP BLUE premiered digitally in 2021. It will be staged live in Autumn 2022 in Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

To apply

Please send a CV (including a link to your Spotlight profile if applicable) to info@paperworktheatre.co.uk by
midday on Friday 2nd September. Include: DEEP BLUE CASTING in the subject title.

In addition, please send a self tape of:

– A short contemporary monologue (for the role of Matt only)

– Singing a contemporary song whilst playing guitar/ drums

Self tapes must be no longer than 3 mins in total. Please send this via WeTransfer to the email address
above.

If shortlisted, applicants must be free to attend an audition on 8th September at a Liverpool City Centre
Location.

At Paperwork Theatre, they aim to achieve a balanced portrayal of Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and
Deaf and Disabled people in our performances.

They are particularly keen to hear from performers from underrepresented backgrounds and to engage with
diverse performers in their productions.

Coram Beanstalk is calling for volunteers in Liverpool to come forward this summer to train as reading helpers with the charity and support local primary school children with their reading from next term.

Schools in Liverpool have a particularly high demand for reading helpers with many children waiting to receive vital support to not only boost their reading confidence and attainment but also inspire a love of reading.

In the wake of the disruption to children’s education caused by the pandemic, recent research by the Education Policy Institute found that children in the North of England suffered greater learning losses than those living in other regions.

With news that this year’s SATs results have slumped, as well as the projected summer learning loss that disproportionately affects children from disadvantaged households, Coram Beanstalk volunteer reading helpers will play a crucial role in re-engaging children in the autumn term.

New volunteers in Liverpool can begin training anytime during the year, and those able to start now can join training in August or September to be ready to start working with children as they begin the new school year.

Amy Lewis, Head of Coram Beanstalk, said: “Our volunteers are the face and heart of Coram Beanstalk, we really value the time they give to the children we exist to help. We love to hear of the fun they have in school and are delighted that 98% of our volunteers would recommend us to a friend. If you’re thinking of joining us, go for it!”

Local schools that partner with Coram Beanstalk are also clear about the benefits volunteers bring. Caroline Smith from Middlefield Primary in Liverpool praised the dedication of volunteer reading helpers and their ability to get children excited about reading: “Fully trained, professional in manner and all have lovely dispositions with our children.

They provide enthusiasm and support for children who are less confident in reading and give them the self-esteem to answer and ask questions in whole classroom situations. The children constantly ask ‘when is it my reading day’ and we have a queue of children ready and willing to take part”.

For Coram Beanstalk volunteers, one of the most rewarding aspects is the rapport they develop with the children. The one-to-one relationship means that volunteers can really get to know a child and find out which books might spark their interest. Liverpool volunteer Stephen Donoghue said: “At first, I saw four hesitant and unsure children. Now I see blossoming confidence, energy and wonderful smiles. It’s smashing being a Coram Beanstalk Reading Helper.”

From application to introduction to a local school, where a match is waiting, the whole recruitment journey for new volunteers is currently averaging 30 days from application to completing training and DBS checks.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, visit Coram Beanstalk’s website.