The Young Pretenders Theatre Company

11/05/2022

This week we had to say a very painful goodbye to former company member and bright young talent Ella, who sadly passed away last month aged just 19.

Ella acted with us for many years at TYP and starred in everything from small scale productions in an old oak tree at Poltimore House and Grounds, to a dystopian future piece at TYPify festival, and even delivered Shakespeare fit for the Globe in our production of 'Swagger.'

Ella loved to laugh. She was kind, bright, witty, deeply talented, and had a knowing look in her eyes that always seemed far beyond her years.

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share this news but we'd like to encourage anyone reading to take a moment to celebrate a life that was short in length but mighty in contribution. All of us at TYP were privileged to spend such a significant period of time in Ella's company.

A fund has been set up in Ella's memory for anyone wishing to make a donation. All contributions will go towards a project to support more young people to gain access to the arts – a cause Ella felt passionate about.

Rest in peace wonderful Ella. Your memory lives on through so many of us.

Thank you to Ella's mother Kate Philp and her family for allowing us to create this post in tribute to their darling daughter.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ella-philp-thf

18/02/2022

**Company Update**

Good morning lovely people,

It's been a long time since we've posted any company updates. This is largely because we haven't been together as a company for a considerable amount of time.

Many of our young people are now young adults and have gone on to begin their own creative ventures. They have built theatre companies, started clothing brands, and gone on to study at Drama School and universities across the country; soon to enter the creative industries as confident and talented artists in their own right.

Our Executive Director has returned home to London to work as a producer and to be closer to her family and our Artistic Director, whilst still Devon based, is balancing freelance directing with being a full-time Mum.

Whilst we currently have no plans in the pipeline, we are all very much here behind the scenes and are quietly confident that one day there will be a reunion project whereby our original faces return and TYP is reimagined as an adult company, driven by the once 11 years old who made us everything we hoped we could be.

Until then, we miss the relationships and silliness on a daily basis and so, with storm Eunice upon us, we'll leave you with a wonderfully ridiculous moment from 'Next Thing.'

Stay safe out there everyone.

TYP

26/10/2021

Aged 18-26 and looking to kickstart your career in the arts? Poet in the City Producers is coming to Exeter! Their creative producer training programme is open to applications. One week to go! The deadline for applications is Midnight on Sunday 31st October.
APPLY HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyC8Jjra0R_xX3B_nuqb0PdgIzO2Bwc4s7qkfej_gS1h20Ug/viewform

Poet in the City Producers is a training programme designed to equip you with all the skills you need to produce professional events, using poetry as a platform for your ideas. This year they are partnering with Exeter Library and inviting anyone with an interest in creating events to tell the stories of your city.

What will you do?
- Produce your own professional event as part of national Herstory programme taking place across Exeter
- Be part of a national cohort of young producers, build new networks and contacts
- Lead and take part in public conversation on key issues such as women’s rights, exploring poetry’s relationship with wider society
- Attend regular workshops and gain skills in curation, programming, production, and marketing
- Contribute to the cultural landscape in your city
- The chance to change the face of live poetry

This programme will take place between November 2021-March 2022. You will complete 12 x 2-hour training sessions with industry professionals to develop key employability skills including:
- Research, poetry programming and ideas curation;
- Arts event planning, production and management;
- Marketing including effective communications with artists, content and digital;
- Additional and wider skills training including fundraising, digital production, networking, and leadership.
- This course is free to attend and suitable for 18-26 year olds looking to develop careers in the arts and learn about creative producing. Course participants will be paid a professional fee for final event delivery.

APPLY BEFORE OCTOBER 31ST
Applications to join are now open. Poet In The City are looking for curious, creative and enthusiastic young people who want to produce work that reflects the passion they have for their cities and communities.

01/10/2021

What story do YOU want to tell about our city?

We're inviting young leaders, creatives and arts professionals to join us for a lively and open discussion about the arts scene in Exeter. Join us to map your city and have your voice heard.

29/09/2021

Ignition is back! And it’s open to all! This October Frantic Assembly are running FREE 2-hour theatre workshops at Theatre Royal Plymouth on the 25th October - 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm.

Check out the attached flyer to see how you can book your free physical theatre workshop or head here to the Frantic Assembly website:
https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/learn-and-train-1/ignition

This is an opportunity for all aged 16-24 years, so please share far and wide!

11/09/2021

What story do YOU want to tell about your city?

Young leaders, creatives, and arts professionals interested in producing for the arts here in Exeter and beyond - the below info is for you!
___________________________________

Poet in the City invites you to the launch of Poet in the City Producers, a training programme for young producers to develop key industry and transferable skills in creative producing through a programme of workshops, leadership training, networking opportunities and professional practice.

Have your say:

To kick things off, we’re bringing together young people from Exeter to ask the question: ‘What story do you want to tell about your city?’ Join us at a digital Roundtable on Thursday 7th October at 4pm for a lively and open discussion between young people who care about the arts in Exeter.

We’ll explore what’s happening in Exeter and what’s missing from the scene. Together we’ll map our city and ensure everyone’s voice is heard, what do you want to create in your city?

Who can attend?

We’re inviting young leaders, creatives, and arts professionals based in Exeter to contribute to the discussion.

RSVP now to reserve your free space: [email protected]

09/08/2021

Update: Fraser has been found and is back with his parents. Thank you so much for all of your efforts. It was a Facebook tip off that led us to him.

08/08/2021

Update: Fraser has been found and is safely back with his parents. Thank you for all your efforts in sharing this information. It was a Facebook tip off that led us to him.

22/05/2021

'It is time to consider that the young artists we work with actually are the company, and not just the participants. Many of them have been with us since 2015, and have grown up with us. Looking at them now, as young people bravely continuing to make art in an uncertain world, we have finally alighted upon where we can go next, and what TYP’s mission is today. We envisage a future where TYP continues a relationship with these company members as young emerging artists who lead and shape the company, not just as participants in the company’s agenda.'

It's been lovely reflecting on the last six years, where we've been and where we hope to be. Here's hoping we can bring more of these happy shiny faces to you in the coming months.

Happy Saturday all!

29/04/2021

TYP business meetings look a little different these days! Who says planning sessions can't coincide with going to see the horses!? 🐎 TYP has been hibernating for a while now, but stay tuned... we're cooking something up and we need you all to cross your fingers for us 🤞

[Image description: TYP directors Lucy & Katherine stand in a gorgeous green Devon field, and smile at the camera. Lucy has her baby daughter (also grinning!) strapped to her back in a carrier.]

18/02/2021

BEST ZOOM EVER! 🧡