Park Theatre Unveils New BAME Initiative

Park Theatre today announces their new theatre and artist development initiative, The Prism Project, which has been specially created to nurture BAME voices on stage, and provide a starting block which will help to disperse new stories. The project, spearheaded by Park Theatre's Administrator Melissa Bonnelame, will encompass a series of rehearsed readings at Park Theatre that will offer BAME creatives free rehearsal space and a professional theatre in which to develop and showcase diverse stories. The initiative hopes to address the need within the theatre industry to provide support and professional opportunities for BAME creatives and their work.

Any artist who is Black, Asian or part of a minority ethnic group is eligible to apply for the scheme. The only requirement is that they are working on a script (either themselves or as part of a creative team) that could use the space for its development, and have a creative team available to work on their project.

For all successful applicants Park Theatre will provide:

• A morning of rehearsal space in Park Theatre, free of charge
• One of their two professional theatre spaces to perform a rehearsed reading, free of charge
• A listing on The Prism Project webpage, as well as a select amount of organic social media support
• Where appropriate, Park Theatre will invite a select number of guests to the reading with the rest of the seats to be filled by the successful applicants

Founder of The Prism Project, and Park Theatre's administrator, Melissa Bonnelame said: "As a person of colour from North London who is aware of the variety of stories our wonderfully diverse city has to offer, it is really important to me that BAME creatives are given the chance to share their narratives and - most importantly - given the chance to speak for themselves. That is why I hope to see The Prism Project give creatives a platform to cultivate their voice, grow new ideas and reflect different voices within the community."

Artistic Director Jez Bond said: "I am excited about the launch of The Prism Project for two reasons. Firstly, because it's about using our resources to give a voice to traditionally more marginalised sectors of the community and, secondly, because it's a programme led by our Administrator, allowing a member of staff to use a set of tools not normally deployed in their role and at the same time giving them ownership of a project close to their heart."

The Prism Project's first reading is a two-part series. Damsel in Distress? is an interactive play for those who know life won't always be on easy mode, which is being directed by Tiwalade Ibirogba-Olulode who was the Assistant Director on The Other Place which performed in Park200 from September to October last year, and is being produced by Holly Adomah Thompson who completed a marketing internship with the venue in 2018. Set in Stains is a brand new play by Nuu Theatre in collaboration with writer Ruby Holder. Directed by Artistic Director, Ben Quashie, Set in Stains is a work in progress piece debuting the exciting work from this company of young theatre makers and writing talent.

The Prism Project is a rolling programme and is open to submissions throughout the year, subject to availability. There is no application deadline, and those interested in applying for the scheme can download the application form and submission details from Park Theatre's website.

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