Penny Pepper and Renaissance One present a Unify and Progress (UP) Mentoring Masterclasse: Personality and Performance: Journeys in Performing and Spoken Word
2pm – 4.30pm followed by Open Mic performances from 6pm to 9pm
This masterclass explores the poet and the artist as a performer, and their relationship to their audience.
It will offer insights and tips on inhabiting a performance role, creating a performance presence, and the use of space, voice and breath in developing a relationship with an audience.
It is suitable for poets as well as artists who use words regularly in their work, who would be interested to explore performance techniques and try out aspects of their abilities as a narrator.
This session has been developed as part of a wider mentoring programme, Unify and Progress (UP). The space is fully accessible. It has been created by Penny Pepper, with support from Kate Lovell and Theatre Royal Stratford East, and production by Renaissance One.
How to apply
The masterclass is offered free of charge to participants, and has been funded by Arts Council England. An application process is built in to ensure that places go to participants who need them and who can benefit from the skills and resources being offered.
As a facet of taking part in the session, participants will be required to take part in a short survey to assess their career development needs, and to complete a brief evaluation following the session.
To apply to attend the masterclass, please email a covering letter of no more than 1 side of A4 outlining your performance experiences to date and why you would like to attend the session, including details of any aspects of performance abilities and skills you are looking to develop, and details of any access requirements you have.
Email your application to UP@renaissanceone.co.uk FAO: UP Project Team
Deadline for applications: 5pm on Wednesday 13 December. Successful applicants will be notified on or before Thursday 14 December 5pm.
Attachments: You are welcome to attach a CV along with your application letter (max 1 side of A4). Do not submit any additional sheets, or samples of work other than a CV, as these will not be considered.
Disabled and Black and Minority Ethnic applicants are encouraged to apply as they are underrepresented within the literature and arts sectors.
Additional Information: participants will be invited to take part, and to perform at the Open Mic Performance showcase that runs after the workshop from 6pm – 9pm at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. The performance space is fully accessible.
About the Tutor, Sohail Khan: Sohail studied Theatre at Dartington College of Arts, The High School of the Arts Utrecht and acting at the Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. Based in the North of England, he makes performance, live art and theatre for himself and participants from many backgrounds, cultures and settings, and works as a writer, live artist, speaker, and singer. Visit Sohail's website
About the Project’s Creator, Penny Pepper: a versatile writer and poet, Penny Pepper’s current work, a memoir, First in the World Somewhere, charts an extraordinary life in the 80s music scene as a disabled punk. She writes for the Guardian and guests on TV & radio. Penny has developed this new professional development programme, UP: Unify and Progress, to share her experiences and skills and to encourage new opportunities for emerging to mid-career artists. Visit Penny's website
About the Project Producer Renaissance One: we curate and produce high-quality, convivial and mood-changing literature, spoken word and combined arts experiences for audiences who are often curious and excited about the best in contemporary culture. We support artists to develop income streams and sustainability, and to remain creative. For UP, we will be offering mentoring during the project to artists who would benefit from it.
Penny Pepper's Unify and Progress (UP) is funded by Arts Council England.