Welcome to the September issue of the e-mail newsletter, packed with news, information and special offers on tickets for The Phantom of the Opera and on group tickets for Desperately Seeking Susan.

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                                 SUMMER SCHOOL 2007

Summer School 2007 was another amazing week with students experiencing the highs of opportunities taken and the realisation that they could achieve more than they thought possible! 
 
We have had numerous letters and emails from those who attended saying what a wonderful learning experience it was, how their skills were improved and how much they enjoyed themselves during the week.
 
We asked professional photographer Sam Peacock to take some pics of the week and a selection of his photos can be found here

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   COMPLETE THE NODA SURVEY AND YOU COULD WIN £100!

Five years on from its last national survey in 2002, the time is right for another major survey of the issues affecting our members and the amateur theatre sector. It is only by having this detailed information that NODA can tell if it is doing a good job for its members, and represent your interests to government departments, local authorities and national and regional funding agencies.

The first part of this survey asks for your opinion on the services provided by NODA, to help us improve and grow over the coming years.
Please complete the survey by clicking here. The closing date is 20 September. All surveys returned will be entered into a prize draw, to be drawn at the Association's AGM on 29th September.

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                             CHARITY SUCCESS FORUM

You are invited to attend one of two Grantmaking Forums taking place in Birmingham on 18 September, 2007 and London on 20 September, 2007. Each Forum will feature a morning panel of grantmakers who will discuss the do's and don'ts of approaching trusts and foundations for grants. In the afternoon, you will gain valuable tips on submitting grants from experienced grant seekers. The Forum is a very popular event for charities that depend on grants, and early registration is therefore strongly encouraged.

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Forum Title: Grantmakers & Grantmaking: an inside view

Birmingham Forum
Date: 18 September, 2007   
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: University of Birmingham
Cost: £175
More information and to register: http://www.charitysuccess.org.uk/forum-csf1.html

London Forum
Date: 20 September, 2007   
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Imperial College London 
Cost: £175
More information and to register: http://www.charitysuccess.org.uk/forum-i4.html

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The Charity Success Forum is an ongoing educational series that features panels of experts and information exchanges of great relevance to UK charities. If you would like to stay informed about future Forums, go to: http://www.charitysuccess.org.uk/informed.html

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                                  RSC COSTUME SALE
                              Friday 28th September
 
Here is some exciting news of a large scale public costume sale that is being held on Saturday 29th September. NODA members  are invited to a special private preview day on Friday 28th September where you will be able to purchase items in advance.
 
For background information, the costume hire resource currently holds almost 40,000 garments in a very small space on Timothy’s Bridge Road. As RSC shows finish their run, the team regularly take a large proportion of the new stage costumes into stock. This means that RSC are now at a point where they are unable to accommodate newer costumes as they are running out of available space.
 
There has not been a significant sale of redundant stock at Hire Wardrobe since 2000 and RSC feel that now is a good moment to readdress that.  Alistair McArthur, Head of Costume and Helen Robson have carefully selected items for sale that have no future life in RSC productions, are no longer valuable as hiring garments or have reached a point where a high level of maintenance is required. Spaces can then be freed up that will allow better air circulation and storage conditions for the garments retained, as well as a more comfortable working environment for both customers and staff.
 
The sale will be held at the RSC rehearsal rooms, Arden Street (at the junction with Birmingham Road), Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6NW. In order to give you plenty of time and space to make your selection RSC will be operating an appointment only system on Friday 28th September and would ask that you telephone in advance to make a booking. There is customer parking available very close by at the Stratford District Council pay and display car park on Arden Street and customer collection only outside the sale building itself.
 
To make an appointment please call or email Helen Robson on 01789 201753 or Helen.robson@rsc.org.uk
 

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            The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2008
                          deadline: 30 September 2007

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service recognises the vital role played by the hundreds of thousands of ‘unsung heroes’ of the voluntary and community world and emphasises the importance of continuing recognition of their work. The nomination period for The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2008 begins on the 2nd June you can nominate your chosen voluntary organisation for this year's Awards round.

If you know a group of volunteers who devote their time to helping others in the community and improve the quality of life and opportunity for others, nominate them now. It is easy to nominate. Just visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk and download an electronic version of the nomination form and guidance notes.

For further information you can email queensaward@volunteeringengland.org or call the Award hotline on 0845 000 2002

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                        UK VILLAGES COMMUNITY KITTY                          
                             deadline: 10 October 2007

UK Villages Community Kitty provides grants of between £50 and £500 to a range of community based projects. In the past, the fund has awarded grants for projects ranging from a knitting circle, to a playgroup needing toys, sports equipment for cubs, and support for several village halls and playing field committees - as well as a number of Heritage projects. For more information, go to www.communitykitty.co.uk/ukvillages.nsf/b?open&s=kitty.

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                                  NODA THEATRE CLUB

GROUPS OF 10+ SAVE UP TO £25.50 ON DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, THE BRAND NEW BLONDIE MUSICAL

Based on the smash 1980’s movie and featuring the classic hits of Blondie, Desperately Seeking Susan promises to be the must-see show of the autumn. Alongside Blondie’s much loved hits including Call Me, Heart of Glass, Sunday Girl, Atomic and Hanging on the Telephone, the production will also feature Moment of Truth, a new song especially written by Deborah Harry.

Groups of 10+ get best available seats at just £29.50, Monday-Thursday evenings and Friday matinees from 12 October. Rate applies to tickets booked and paid for before 19 October. Subject to change and availability.

To book call now on 020 7907 7002.

GET A TOP PRICE TICKET FOR PHANTOM AND A 3-COURSE MEAL WITH COFFEE FOR ONLY £50

The Phantom of the Opera has some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage. Set within the majestic Paris Opera House, this haunting musical follows the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a disfigured young composer living below stage.

Package price is £50 which includes a best available seat and a Bronze Restaurant Voucher valid for a 3-course meal with coffee at a wide variety of restaurants throughout Central London including Bertorelli, Chez Gerard, Cafe Fish, Livebait and Planet Hollywood. Valid for Monday-Thursday evenings until 31 October. Subject to change and availability.

To book call now on 020 7907 7056 quoting ‘NODA’.