Let us hear YOUR VOICES!
NEWS UPDATE
We are launching our Polka GRAD scheme! If you are aged 12+ and want to share your voice on all things theatre, then this is the group for you. Opportunities include attending research & development sessions for our productions, reviewing shows, meeting casts and creative teams and attending Polka’s Board meetings, where the biggest decisions are made!
Get in touch for more information!
Want to collaborate with us to create the best children’s shows? Want to have a say in how Polka is run? Join our Young Ambassador Scheme so we can hear YOUR VOICE!
Younger Voices (5 – 7yrs), Young Voices (8 – 12 yrs) & Polka GRADS (12+ yrs) are Polka’s three unique ambassador schemes involving children and young people at every stage of creating the work that is made for them.
Children and young people are invited to research new stories they would like to find onstage and help develop ideas in rehearsals which is fundamental to the process of producing new work. Having young voices as part of Polka’s research, development and delivery of shows is essential for our growth and success!
All members of Young & Younger Voices groups will be invited to:
- Watch Polka productions, give feedback and write reviews
- Exclusive backstage tours of the theatre
- Attend meetings with Polka staff and Trustees, including attendance at your own AGM
- Work alongside our artists and attend R&D sessions
- Look at how we market our plays through our website and print
- Take part in Polka holiday workshops (offers and discounts subject to availability)
- Make new friends who have the same interest in theatre
- Be a Polka ambassador!
All members of Polka GRADS will be invited to:
- All of the above YV events, including watching preview productions to review, then the chance for your theatre reviews to be published on Polka’s blog.
- Be judges for the new Polka playwrighting award!
- Interviewing Polka creatives, such as, associate directors, designers, puppet-makers and performers.
- Attendance at one board meeting per year, representing all members of the ambassador groups, feeding back with questions and discussion from Young & Younger Voices AGM.
- To be advocates for Polka by attending further events that will help continue to grow young theatre audiences.
- Invitation to be named on Polka’s ‘About Us’ webpage here along with staff members, Board of Trustees and Patrons.
How to apply:
Our ambassador schemes are open to all children & young people aged 5 – 21 years to apply and begin at the start of an academic year. Just click below, download and complete the relevant application form by 16 September 2024 and send it to the Creative Learning Team!
Along with your written or filmed application, we will also need a short reference from a teacher or adult, such as, a course leader, employer/colleague or professional person who knows you well that isn’t your parent/carer detailing why you would make an excellent member for one of the groups.
Parents/carers will have to sign consent for their child aged 18 years or younger to join, having read and agreed to Polka’s Young Ambassador Scheme Agreement. Once you are happy with your application, please email your form along with any additional files to Heidi or post it to the address below. To access these application forms as word documents please ask Heidi.
If selected, involvement in one of our Young Ambassador groups can be for up to 16 years (depending on age)! Membership is free, all we ask for is commitment. More details are found in your Young Ambassador Scheme Agreement.
For all applications received by 16 September, you will be notified before 20 September to accept your place. After the deadline of 16 September 2024, any new applicants will need to apply for the next academic year (September 2025).
Young Voices, Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB.
Heidi, Participation Manager: [email protected]
General Creative Learning enquiries: [email protected]