Women & Theatre

Our new play about cycling, active travel and how small changes can have a wheelie big impact returns to Solihull next week.

With performances at Three Trees Community Centre on 23 September and The Shirley Centre on 27 September, tickets are free. For more information visit our website https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/on-ya-bike/

We are after people who wish to join our Critical Friends Panel?

A Critical Friend offers feedback on Women & Theatre’s work and practice in order to support the company to maintain and improve upon the quality of our work. We are looking for someone who knows the company, either as an audience member, artist or participant, or has experience of working with community arts organisations and share our values.

You can find out more about how to join our Critical Friends Group and what it entails on our website. https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/critical-friends-panel/

The New Land Girls our new community show about women and land coming to Warley Woods in September is now sold out!

If you're still interested in attending you can sign up to our waiting list here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/women-theatre/the-new-land-girls/e-bobxvq

As part of Women & Theatre's commitment to making sustainable theatre we are encouraging audiences to use walk, cycle or use public transport to attend The New Land Girls at Warley Woods on 14 September. As part of this commitment we are organising a guided bike ride with Bike Adventure Squad.

If you want to be part this unique experience simply book a ticket for The New Land Girls and then complete this Google Form: https://forms.gle/p6odGgeH3m29UQaUA

Next week we have a new show coming to North Solihull!

On Ya Bike! is a new play about cycling, active travel and how small changes can have a wheelie big impact.

Commissioned by West Midlands Combined Authority the project is designed to promote cycling and active travel in the area.

Tickets are FREE and the play is going to Three Tree Community Centre, Chelmsley Wood Library and Auckland Hall.

You can find out more and book tickets on our website: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/on-ya-bike/

Lele Samms who has taken part in a number of W&T projects is currently researching "Teachers experiences of teaching care experienced students during their GCSE's" as part of her University degree. If you have experience in this field Lele is asking if you could complete the survey linked below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN4RrKaO0rokyK6K3JcezyMpAPfgnABbETXQwjPegML9LWQA/viewform

Photo of Lele and other Moving On participants at a performance of To The Streets in 2022.

Very proud of Birmingham. Standing firm and together in sending a clear message that there's no place for hate in our city.

Women & Theatre is looking for volunteers for our community show The New Land Girls in Warley Woods on Saturday 14th September. This is a new show inspired by the women of Sandwell and their connection to land.

Volunteering on this project is an exciting opportunity to meet new people, have fun
and gain experience with Outdoor Events/Theatre.

For more information and to sign up visit our website. https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/the-new-land-girls-volunteer-opportunity/

We are happy to announce that tickets for our upcoming community show in Warley Woods are now on sale!

The New Land Girls is an exciting new piece of outdoor theatre which explores the relationship between women and land, co-created with a community cast of women from Sandwell.

This immersive theatre experience follows a group of women coming together and creating a new land army built on the principles of equality and sustainability. Explore the world of Ramblers, Gardeners and Urban Planners as they attempt to rediscover what we take from the land, what we give back and how we build a sustainable future with it.

📅 14 September 12noon & 3pm
🔖 Pay What You Can available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/women-theatre/the-new-land-girls/e-bobxvq

Can't wait to start work on this project with Open Theatre Company

Open Theatre are excited to be offering FREE Summer Sessions for young people with learning disabilities and autism across the West Midlands 🎭

Collaborating with brilliant organisations such as Rogue Play, Women & Theatre, Imagineer Productions, Focus Birmingham and Thimblemill Library the sessions will be taking place throughout August.

Inspired by the themes and characters of Wind In The Willows the sessions will be exploring creativity and fun with a sensory box ✨

Keep an eye out on our channels TOMORROW as we reveal which workshops young people can get involved in! 👀

A fantastic opportunity for Birmingham writers at Birmingham Hippodrome. Deadline 28th July.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOcRrt9kT3RAL8glNpQpImAHbEQCElk8C3SefcdUadJBaleQ/viewform

Yesterday we took a group of young people we've been working with to the room where it happens and see the musical HAMILTON.

The young people loved the show, a huge thank you to Birmingham Hippodrome for offering us discounted tickets and an even bigger thank you to our individual givers whose generous donation meant we were able to make this trip possible.

Want to become a one off or regular giver to Women & Theatre, find out more here: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/support-us/

We want to talk to women based in North Solihull about cycling for an upcoming project.

Women of all ages and backgrounds in Sandwell there is still time to join our community cast and be part of our exciting community theatre show taking place at Warley Woods this summer:

More info and how to sign up here: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/women-land/

We have an exciting opportunity to be part of a new community theatre show this summer!

We are looking for women of all ages & backgrounds in Sandwell to be part of our community cast and perform in Warley Woods in a new show inspired by the women of Sandwell and their connection to land .

An exciting opportunity to:

Meet New People
Have Fun
Learn about performance and theatre

For more information and to sign up visit our website: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/women-land/

Introducing a new creative arts club for secondary age children with mild to moderate learning disabilities.

Fantastic Journeys are excited to announce that they are launching a new creative arts club. This club is all about discovering your creative skills. The participants will work with practitioners Rose and Amy and together they will develop a performance. What the performance is will be down to the participants. The participants may be dancing, singing, acting, filming the action, designing flyers, making props or creating sets. The final product could be a film or a live performance.

The club is for children aged 12-19 who have a mild to moderate learning disability. Parents will stay with their children during the club and will get involved in the activities.

Sessions will be on Sunday mornings between 10.30am and 12.00pm. They will take place at Windmill Community Centre, Messenger Road, B66 3DX. We have 4 sessions planned for June and July and will have more sessions in the autumn. The dates for June/July are 9th June, 16th of June, 30th of June, 14th of July.

They have limited spaces for this project. To find out more and register your interest contact Peter at [email protected] or call 07486314677.

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

This week is Volunteer Week a chance to celebrate the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK.

As a small local charity volunteers pay a vital role in helping us deliver our projects. One of our volunteers Daisy wrote about her experience of supporting Word Lounge Theatre Company, earlier this year.

Interested in volunteering for us in the future? Sign up to our mailing list to be the first here about upcoming opportunities. https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/mailing-list/

Today is outgoing Artistic Director, Janice Connolly’s leaving meal and drinks. Janice was a founding member of the company in 1983 and was the Artistic Director for over 25 years.

The creative mind and beating heart of the organisation for 4 decades, her approach to working with staff, freelancers, participants and audiences has always been to lead with kindness, humour and imagination. Having stepped down as Artistic Director earlier this year she continues to work (and crowd surf) across theatre, radio and TV*.

Janice will be greatly missed as our Artistic Director and we wish her all the best for the future. Feel free to share any memories in the comments below.

Photo credit Kate Green.

*Janice’s freelance schedule is so packed it’s taken us until June to get a date in the diary.

At a time when so many community spaces and buildings are under threat in Birmingham. The Saving of Moseley Road Baths tells the story of how a group of wilful individuals came together to save a beloved Edwardian Swimming Pool.

And now you can hear that story on the Women & Theatre podcast. Listen on your chosen podcast app or on our website! https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/the-saving-of-moseley-road-baths/

Photo credit Kate Green.

Following the sell out success of The Saving of Moseley Road Baths earlier this year we are pleased to announce our latest podcast explores how the production was made. Including conversations with the creative team and cast as well as extracts from the performance!

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts from, simply search 'Women & Theatre' in your chosen app.

Or you can listen to the podcast on our website: https://womenandtheatre.co.uk/project/the-saving-of-moseley-road-baths/

We've teamed up with Skate Buddies to deliver a fun evening of skating for women in Sandwell.

Join us at Dartmouth Park on Friday 7 June 2024, 6pm- 8pm.

This is event is free but with limited places signing up in advance is essential! More info here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1F1bEDoIi3IRb3chvPW3AxMWBm07rRD-A0nqEq85htn0/edit

We have some exciting funding news 🎉🎉🎉 👇 Thank you to Heart of England Community Foundation, West Midlands Combined Authority

Henry who is a member of our youth theatre, Word Lounge Theatre Company, is raising money for charity by visiting EVERY station between Lichfield, Redditch and Bromsgrove! This will take approx 10 hours! We want to wish Henry and his mum the best of luck!

To find out more and to donate to visit Henry's fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/danajoti-cait-hughes-1715527056187?newPage=true&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR02Y7v8pxvktJHruVnpJF0pHjePyndPxL9KJ9xV5XJruoO7HipTaRq2I4s_aem_AWw7XkjAjhcRBrwQqqmsZEobwT9r4ir40OWjcvXf-qR1Bsz_5S1CXh4PrKwUUGYAAYl6ThNq9GlBbu8ggeLF9GOo

Henry's fundraiser for Vintage Trains Charitable Trust Help Danajoti Cait Hughes raise money to support Vintage Trains Charitable Trust

The Phoebe Frances Brown Film Fund will offer a £1000 grant to a female filmmaker who has a comedy idea they want to produce. Deadline to submit an application: 31st May:

The Phoebe Frances Brown Film Fund - Opportunities Hub - BCG Pro A £1000 grant for a female filmmaker who has a comedy idea they want to produce.