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CDMT releases manifesto for performing arts education The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) has released a manifesto for performing arts education, offering government and the education sector with informed targets to strive for.
Level provision which more widely recognises young people’s experiences of the performing arts, both informal and formal (such as graded exams), acknowledging achievement across all genres.
Launched at the House of Commons the manifesto has five key strands to help tackle the lack of accessibility and patches or poor provision across the UK.
The key messages are that the sector should: § Encourage the development of creativity through dedicated time for children and young people to experience the power of the performing arts. § Bring together in- and out-of-school performing arts provision across the board, building on existing expertise and enhancing it through collaboration. § Improve the performing arts progression route and celebrate including Progress 8.
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It also asks that the full range of Ofqualrecognised creative and performing arts qualifications be included in the evidence used to inform schools’ performance measures,
Director of CDMT Glyndwr Jones, who also spoke at the ceremony, said: ‘This is not to ask for charity. As well as improving life outcomes, and giving space to artistic expression of all types, the performing arts industry contributes hugely to the UK economy, and in this context the maintenance of a viable pipeline of talent through to the highest professional levels makes financial, as well as cultural, philosophical and humanitarian.’
achievements at both the institutional and individual level. § Promote partnerships across the sector and harness the power of technology to increase access and enhance outcomes. § Support specialist training institutions to continue contributing to our thriving cultural sector by supporting practitioners and teachers as they develop into the professionals of the future. As part of its offerings, the manifesto proposes a review of GCSE and A
The manifesto, supported by the Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh Foundations, includes quotes from Lord Aberdare, Baroness Benjamin, Baroness Bonham-Carter, Lord Vaizey of Didcot, and Baroness Wilcox of Newport.
A digital copy of the Manifesto for Performing Arts Education is available at cdmt.org.uk/launch-of-cdmts-manifesto-for-performingarts-education
Les Misérables grants rights to amateur groups in 40th celebrations
Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh have announced a UK-wide amateur theatre project to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Les Miserables throughout 2025.
The project will run from March to August 2025 and will see 11 company-wide productions of Les Miserables: Let The People Sing mounted in cities across the UK.
11 amateur societies will act as lead producers in each venue; groups will also have the support and guidance of the show’s West End and international associate creative teams as they prepare their original productions of the show.
Cameron Mackintosh commented: ‘As we approach the extraordinary landmark of the 40th record-breaking year of the iconic musical’s London run, alongside countless productions around the world, we are delighted to invite 11 of our leading amateur companies in the UK to stage, for the first time, the entire show in their own productions.’
Sean Gray, managing director of MTI’s London oŸce said: ‘For one year, we are thrilled to have this opportunity to invite amateur theatre companies across the UK to produce eleven local productions, which we hope will be genuine local community projects.’
‘We already know how much excitement the project will generate, and we are really looking
The 2010 company of Les Misérables
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forward to guiding everyone towards a great national amateur celebration of Les Misérables in 2025 to mark the 40th anniversary of the London production. Let the people sing!’
Primary playwriting scheme launched by ATG Entertainment and Savoy Theatre ATG Entertainment has launched a free playwriting programme in collaboration with Savoy Theatre, teaching children in Westminster primary schools how to write their first short play.
form the first primary school activity package.
As part of the scheme, up to three staff members per school will receive CPD from a West End teacher.
Key Stage 2 pupils at 20 schools in the London borough will receive three playwriting workshops from West End practitioners, and at the end of the programme eight shortplays will be selected to be performed on the Savoy stage as part of World Book Day 2025.
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PLAYground, as the programme has been named, will be led by ATG Entertainment West End who will collaborate with schools to
Conor Hunt, senior West End creative learning manager at ATG Entertainment, said: ‘Through PLAYground, we hope to open the doors, not only to the Savoy Theatre, but to their imaginations; and bring to life the stories they want to tell and see – especially as for many this may be their first experience of West End theatre.’
‘By nurturing the creativity and imagination of young minds, we aim to inspire the next generation of storytellers and playwrights,’ said Savoy Theatre general manager Maxine English on the launch.
6 Drama & Theatre Autumn Term 1 2024/25
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