Producer / Curator / Arts Administrator?

JOLT is interested in working with individuals on a short-term project this summer.

We plan to run a series of theatre events this August in the Town Hall Theatre and we want to hear from people who have original ideas and a passion for curating and delivering theatre events – specifically, events that are in keeping with JOLT’s commitment to professional theatre development in Galway.

We are offering the opportunity for new producers and administrators to take ownership of a creative, funded project under the guidance of JOLT.

WHY?

Because we’re interested in partnering with new people and supporting upcoming producers, curators and administrators

Because we believe in encouraging  new ideas and we believe that it is important to keep expanding our community

Because we can’t do it all ourselves! And now is a good time to widen the net and see what brilliant ideas and abilities other people have to offer

HOW?

JOLT will meet with applicants and select a maximum of 3 people for this project

JOLT will discuss applicant ideas and possible programme structure for the August event  before all parties reach a conclusion on the programme

JOLT will sign off on a budget and will liaise with venue, funders and partners directly. Participants will not be responsible for payments or accounts but they will be expected to run the event within budget and to agree fees and programme elements accordingly

Participants will promote, produce and take ownership over the August series

JOLT will pay each participant a fee and will cover all admin costs (IE: phone, Internet, printing) relating to producing the August series

JOLT producers will be on hand for advice and support via email and in person and will oversee the project but the hope is that participants will take ownership of the series and feel comfortable and confident enough to work independently for the majority of the time

REQUIREMENTS

You must be over 18

You must have a proven interest in theatre

You should have some recent experience of producing, administrating or curating an arts event

You should have ideas for stimulating, interesting, original events that aid creative development and bring the theatre community together

You should have a proven ability to work within budget

You should have experience of PR both for local media and online

You must be able to commit at least 8 hours per week from 15th July to 8th August 2014; 15 hours from 8th – 15th August; and at least 30hrs from 16th – 23rd August 2014. If you do not have the minimum availability, please do not apply for this project

You must have access to a phone and a computer with internet access

If you meet the requirements above please email
studiotht@gmail.com

and include a short CV (no more than 2 pages) and a paragraph outlining the reasons for your interest in this project and confirming your availability as set out above.

Deadline for applications is FRIDAY 27th JUNE 2014

Volition: the story so far (epilogue)

It’s hard to believe we’re here. Done. Dusted. Nine months of workshops, chats, shows, showings, meetings, tea cups, scripts, sketches, ups and downs, now all in the past, a mountain of creative hot ashes in our wake  . . . . too much? Look, it has been emotional. We’re allowed to get dramatic here.

On Saturday 17th May we presented eight pieces of work from our eight Volition artists on the main stage of the Town Hall Theatre. The diversity, ambition and integrity of each work was immense. We could not have asked for a better representation of the eight participants, each one taking a risk in their own way, each one stepping in a new direction. They each searched and fought for something that they brought into the room initially, last September.

The past nine months have been about a process, about looking at different ways in which to create. How do we go into a room with disparate ideas and create something interesting, original and true? Where do we start if we want to do something we’ve never done before? What happens when we step outside our comfort zone?

The eight Volition artists were flung far from their comfort zones with each workshop and challenge set by Volition. While for the most part the project provided inspiration, support and motivation, needless to say there was also plenty of divisive, frivolous and challenging points of view put forward. Through this open and passionate dialogue a community was created and Volition quickly became a very safe space in which to discuss, dissect and create.

What was presented on stage on Saturday 17th May was the culmination of nine months looking at the creative process. Each idea was something that had been morphed, pulled and interrogated with each workshop, each mode of practice, each conversation. What was presented was just a glimpse of what has been and of what, we hope, is yet to come.

Volition was a journey into the unknown, a true exploration for both mentors and mentees and one we would take again in a heartbeat.

Volition would not have been possible without the support of the Arts Council, Galway City Council, Town Hall Theatre and NUI Galway.

Thanks to our dynamic duo, Marianne Kennedy & Thomas Conway, who have been on hand for advice and support since 2011.

Venue support was also crucial to this process and NUIG, Nun’s Island Theatre, Town Hall Theatre & Druid Theatre were fundamental to this process.

The incredible contributions of Little John Nee, Noeline Kavanagh, WillFredd Theatre, Junk Ensemble, Conor Hanratty, Thomas Conway and Carl Kennedy as workshop facilitators were the creative heart of this project and we thank you all for your hard work and dedication to this project.

Baboró, Galway Theatre Festival and TULCA Festival of Visual Art – thanks for letting us ride your festival train. It was a blast.

We could go on but the orchestra are picking up their bows and flutes so it just remains to say thank you to everyone who supported Volition and came along to the event on 17th May and of course last but by no means least the people who really made it happen:

Danielle DeStefano, Siobhán Donnellan, Cathal Leonard, Evan Lordan, Caroline Lynch, Martin Maguire, Emma O’Grady and Eve Vaughan: Volition artists 2014. Legends.