An X-Factor style search is on for North Wales’ very own Woody Allen or George Lucas as Welsh theatre company Cwmni’r Frân Wen have launched a brand new production and scriptwriting project for young people.
The Anglesey based theatre company used the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham to launch Brain, a unique project that will shape the future of theatre for children and young people in North West Wales and beyond.
The project aims to seek out the very best of young, local scriptwriting talent, giving 25 lucky 11-25 year olds the chance to share ideas, see and review professional theatre productions, and to be mentored by Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s own experienced staff. To nourish, guide and inspire; Brain will provide new feeding ground of fresh ideas and opinions, and a great stepping stone for those hoping for a career in the arts. Through bi-monthly workshops and meetings this innovative new project will give participants an unique opportunity to gain a first hand experience of developing productions, from the planning process to on-stage performances, and meet like minded people to discuss the latest from the Welsh theatre scene.
Cwmni’r Frân Wen, who provide productions in both Welsh and English, has always aimed to ensure the inclusion of children and young people in all aspects of the company’s work.
An inspiring example of what Cwmni’r Frân Wen hopes to achieve as a result of the new project is actor Rhodri Meilir. In 1997, young Mold schoolboy Rhodri was part of a writing scheme led by the theatre company, and his script was successfully staged. Since then he has contributed regularly to a variety of productions and is now president of the company.
Speaking at the launch of the project, actor Rhodri Meilir said, “Brain is a unique opportunity for young people from north Wales who feel they could contribute to the company’s productions in future. It has always been one of Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s aims to find and nurture new talent.
“Growing up, I learnt the ‘tricks of the trade’ through one of Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s writing schemes. I had ideas, but participating in the writing project gave me the chance to be mentored by experienced professionals and develop my ideas in a professional environment. Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s youth projects are of personal importance to me and my success is a testament to them.
Rhodri continued, “Having ‘been there and done that’, I can think of no better way for young people to gain first hand experience of theatre productions, and to contribute and share ideas from the initial idea right through to the on-stage performance. Brain will provide a stepping stone for young people into Welsh theatre.”
Also present at the launch was Cwmni’r Frân Wen Chairman, Richard Meirion Jones. He added, “Children and young people are the future of Welsh theatre. It is Cwmni’r Frân Wen’s priority to nurture new talent and develop innovative new writing in the Welsh language. There is an abundant of talent here in north Wales; it is our duty to channel it in the right direction, combining experience with fresh ideas to create productions of the highest quality.
He continued, “The successful applicants will be the pillars of future Welsh theatre, making Brain a unique and hugely positive step into the future. There are only 25 spaces to fill, so we will be looking for those who stand out creatively – the cream of the crop!”
The closing date for applications is 30th September 2011, and 25 successful applicants are to be named online the following week on 7th October 2011. For more information or to apply please visit: www.franwen.com/brain.
