We are looking for 12 local amateur performers to join the community ensemble for our co-production with Leeds Playhouse, Nine Night. This is a play with community at its heart and we need your help to create the right atmosphere for the piece.
The Play
How do we remember the people we love? When Gloria’s time comes, her family celebrate their revered mother with the traditional Jamaican Nine Night Wake – a touching yet testing multi-generational gathering packed with music, food, laughter and tears.
Natasha Gordon’s remarkable award-winning debut play, which was originally commissioned by the National Theatre ahead of a successful West End run, holds a mirror up to family life – and loss –reflecting the heartfelt comedy and deep sorrow that occurs when they gather together to share memories, good food and grievances older than Gloria’s well-loved dining table.
Inherently funny and intensely moving, Nine Night is a family celebration of life you won’t want to miss.
Who are we searching for?
We are searching for 12 volunteers aged 18 or over, who live in Nottingham or close by, to perform in the show at Nottingham Playhouse.
People of a variety of ages (18 or over only), all gender identities and those with non-professional experience are all welcome. Please note we are unable to accept applications from volunteers who are professionally trained actors or performers.
Due to the nature of the play and its themes, applications are open to all and we are actively encouraging applicants who identify as Black British and from Caribbean or African diaspora.
Each volunteer performer will be invited to join as a background artist in various scenes in the play and perform in costume to portray family members, friends and neighbours. We imagine at this stage this could include the portrayal of a high school student, a person of faith, a public servant, a care worker, an elder / family member of the characters in the play.
We are looking for 2 teams of 6 volunteers, who we will select at an audition workshop on 17th September 2022. Successful applicants will then be required to attend two rehearsals and a technical rehearsal session and dress rehearsal session before the public performances at Nottingham Playhouse, which are between Wednesday 19 October to Saturday 5 November 2022. A full schedule of rehearsals and performances is listed below. The performances will be split between the two teams.
What will I get out of it?
Taking part in a theatre production can be a fun and creative experience. You will get to meet with new people and to see the process of a production being put together by award-winning artists such as Director Amanda Huxtable and Assistant Director Khadijah Ibrahiim. You may also learn some new skills and will have the chance to perform on the Playhouse’s renowned stage in an exciting play. The play itself touches on themes of loss, family and food!
How to apply
If you meet the requirements, and are fully available during the rehearsals and performances as listed, and are interested in applying please fill in the application form below and send it to recruitment@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
If you have specific access requirements and would like to discuss how we can best support you before the audition workshop, please email both Tess Ellison and Joanne Blunt on tesse@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk and joanneb@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
What is the time commitment?
- 1 x audition workshop slot – Saturday 17 September 2022, 4PM or 5PM at Nottingham Playhouse (or another suitable venue in Nottingham city centre).
- 2 x evening rehearsals – in the week of 10 October 2022
- 1 x technical session – Monday 17 or Tuesday 18 October 2022 (evening)
- 1 x dress rehearsal – Tuesday 18 October 2022 (evening)
- Up to 9 performances (evening and Saturday matinees, with one possible Thursday matinee) – Wednesday 19 October – Saturday 5 November 2022.
This is a full list of performances:
- Wed 19 Oct 7.30pm
- Thu 20 Oct 7pm
- Fri 21 Oct 7.30pm
- Sat 22 Oct 2.30pm
- Sat 22 Oct 7.30pm
- Tue 25 Oct 7.30pm
- Wed 26 Oct 7.30pm
- Thu 27 Oct 7.30pm
- Fri 28 Oct 7.30pm
- Sat 29 Oct 7.30pm
- Tue 1 Nov 7.30pm
- Wed 2 Nov 7.30pm
- Thu 3 Nov 1.30pm
- Thu 3 Nov 7.30pm
- Fri 4 Nov 7.30pm
- Sat 5 Nov 2.30pm
- Sat 5 Nov 7.30pm
Expenses
Volunteers will be reimbursed up to £15 expenses (subject to presentation of receipts for travel, mileage or parking) per session, excluding the audition workshop.
Deadline
Monday 12 September at midday