Welcome to the December issue of the NODA e-mail newsletter

                                 NODA Survey – Part 2

To take part in the NODA survey and be in with the chance to win £100 please click here.

                                    Kidz R Us - Update

A huge thank you to all of you who responded to our request for help in the last e-mail newsletter and played such a huge part in enabling Kidz R Us to secure £78,000 to upgrade their theatre.

                               The Gordon Foundation

The Gordon Foundation helps people up to the age of 30 grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society. It offers grants to support their education in the fine or performing arts, particularly music, drama or design, or to allow them to engage in educational travel which involves physical challenge and endeavour.

If you would like to apply for a grant to support your education in the fine or performing arts, please write either by letter or email to Gillian Hoyle at the following address, giving details of your plans, your fundraising activities and a proposed budget:

Gordon Foundation
PO Box 214
Cobham
Surrey
KT11 2WG

www.gordon.foundation.btinternet.co.uk

                      Northern Rock Foundation Update

Northern Rock Foundation has made an announcement which helps clarify their current position and priorities for grant programmes in 2008. If your organisation is currently funded by the Northern Rock Foundation, or you are planning to apply to them for funding in the new year, visit their website for more information:

www.nr-foundation.org.uk/important_message.html

                             Young Achievers Award

Don’t forget to nominate your star young volunteer for a Young Achievers Award by 20th December.

A young person you work with could win a share of almost £14,000 if they receive a young achievers award. The awards recognise and celebrate inspirational young volunteers, activists and social entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 25.

There are four categories: Sport, arts, community and environment, with awards for those aged 16-19 and 20-25, open to anyone living in England. You can download a form or nominate online at www.youngachievers.co.uk/nominatenow.aspx

There are 56 awards up for grabs; 8 winners will receive £1,000 each, a trip on the British Airways London Eye as well as money-can’t-buy opportunities and 12 months project support. Also 16 shortlisted winners will get £250 each with 32 commended young people getting £50 each.

For more information please contact fiona.jamieson@youthnet.org or visit the website www.youngachievers.co.uk

             ‘Mmm Mmm’ - have you heard the rumour? 
 
It’s new.  It’s exciting.  It’s original.  It’s coming to East Anglia!
Can you sing?  Can you act?  Can you dance?  Would you relish a unique opportunity to show your talents to the world?  If yes - read on.
 
Michele Larkin who has directed many shows in the East of England, is directing and choreographing the very first production of a brand new musical.  Its writers intend to take the show all the way to the West End, but not before it is premiered locally by hopefully the best local talent.  The complete ‘behind the scenes process’ of writing, recording, auditioning, directing, rehearsing, and staging, will be recorded for a documentary which it is anticipated will be televised.
 
If you would like the opportunity to be part of the original cast of this unique musical, and feature in the documentary, on the CD and in the DVD of the actual show (which it is anticipated will been seen by professionals in the business) log on to www.mmm-mmm-the-musical.com for more information and to hear song excerpts.
 
Auditions will be held on 6th January 2008, with performances from 30th April to 3rd May 2008.  Don’t miss this opportunity to let your talents shine!
 
Seventeen unforgettable songs, ten fascinating characters, seven individual storylines that twist, intertwine and surprise in one evening at one very special restaurant - ‘Mmm Mmm’.  

                                   CROSS YOUR HEART

Three actors, two female and one male, with great acting, singing and musical skills, are sought for two weeks rehearsal and a two week tour of youth venues in February 2008, funded by Cheshire County Council.  Rates equivalent to Equity.

CROSS YOUR HEART is a new hour long play with live music and songs about young peoples’ lives, their hopes, fears, romances and aspirations.  

The play was created in rural Cheshire by a professional theatre and TV playwright working with young people on both their imaginative ideas and their real-life experiences. The songs were written by the musical director working directly with the same group of young people.   The play is about young people, for those young people, and their continuing involvement is an important part of this project.

The production will be an ensemble piece and the style will be fast and fluid with most scenery and props being created by actor skill/physical theatre techniques, so we are looking for not just actors but creative and generous  company members. 

Must be able to sing.  Percussion skills/experience are also particularly welcome, but failing this, actors must have the ability to acquire these skills rapidly.

Applications;
Letter/photo and C.V. to ;
Claire Smith, Art Service
Cheshire County Council
Goldsmith House, Hamilton Place, Chester, CH4 7AG
Email; Prescott/smith@cheshire.gov.uk
Fax; 01244 602805
Tel; 01244 602835
Please phone for an informal chat if you wish prior to applying if you have any queries.

Dates;
Applications by  5pm 3rd December 07
Replies by 19th Dec ( if you have not been contacted please assume you will not be called to audition. )
Auditions in Chester or Ellesmere Port  on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th January Venue to be confirmed
Regrettably no audition expenses available
Rehearsals
Ellesmere Port – 31st Jan 08 – 14th Feb 08
Cheshire 15th Feb – 29th Feb ( last date possible filming day for associated DVD project – more info. on request )
( probability of an 8 show week – day and evenings possibly )

Applications from local actors will particularly welcome

Rates of Pay
£ 325 per week
plus £50 per week travel expenses ( rehearsals )
plus £60 subsistence ( tour )
fee = £1520 for max 12 days rehearsal and 12 days touring.
If filming does go ahead an extra £300 per actor will be paid in addition to this fee.
Contract will be with Cheshire County Council

                                         Alan Bennett’s
                                   THE HISTORY BOYS

The multi-award-winning production, hailed as a modern masterpiece, returns to the West End from 20 December after selling out at the National Theatre, on tour, on Broadway and previously at Wyndham’s.

An unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. A maverick English teacher at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher. A headmaster obsessed with results, and a history teacher who thinks he’s a fool.

Special Offer – Tickets just £25
Best available seats just £25, valid for Mon-Thurs performances from 7 Jan – 7 Feb 2008. Call the box office on 0844 482 5120 and quote ‘’NODA offer’. Subject to availability, usual price £37.50-£47.50.

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2
www.thehistoryboys.org.uk