AWARD-WINNING CHARITY BACKED BY EMILIA CLARKE, WOODY HARRELSON & RIZ AHMED OFFERS AUDITIONS TO BUDDING ACTORS AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTION ARTISTS FROM LOWER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
The award-winning charity Open Door – which counts the likes of Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Riz Ahmed, David Morrissey and Amanda Redman among its supporters – is to hold auditions for its 2023 intake in six cities across the UK as it seeks to unearth new stars of stage and screen who would otherwise slip through the net.
Due to the financial barriers that are associated with the interviews and auditions that applicants, including those wishing to study acting and those interested in technical theatre and production arts, have to attend, a high percentage of those wishing to apply simply can’t afford the chance to be seen. According to the The Working Class Creatives Database (WCCD) manifesto, only 16% of the UK’s creative workforce are from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Set up by actor David Mumeni, who recognised that the cost to audition for the UK’s drama schools were prohibitive for aspiring actors from lower-income households, Open Door is a non-profit organisation which has helped support over 100 budding actors aged 18-26 by providing training, mentoring and other resources as they prepare for auditions at drama schools across the UK. Its graduates have already begun to secure professional acting work, including Jerome Lance, who’s secured a lead role in the new Hunger Games movie, Dionne Brown who landed the leading role in upcoming Apple TV+ series Criminal Record alongside Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi, as well as multiple participants landing roles at the National Theatre, Regents Park Open Air Theatre and at The Old Vic.
In total, 97 Open Door students have accepted places in training, and 97% of Open Door graduates are now represented by professional agents.
Anyone from budding actors to those interested in technical theatre and production arts, can apply for a first round audition/interview by visiting here, before the deadline of 10th November. Everyone who applies will be auditioned, and those successful in the auditions will secure a place among the upcoming Open Door 2023 intake.
Open Door also supports behind-the-scenes creatives and is partnered with Derby Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham TV Workshop, Sheffield Theatres and Leicester Curve to build a regional network that can benefit from, and add value to, the Open Door Midlands and Sheffield Scheme.
Open Door founder David Mumeni said: “We’re so excited to be opening applications up again and branching out even further across the UK. There is so much talent out there yet to be discovered, and with our access programmes proven to be incredibly successful – with so many of our graduates going on to land incredible roles in television, theatre and film – we can’t wait to support the next generation of exciting artists”
The Open Door Acting programme will see the participants offered:
- 15 hours of one-to-one acting tutoring sessions from experienced professionals
- Musical tutoring for singing stages of drama school auditions
- Free travel to any drama school outside their region
- Free auditions at the UK’s leading drama schools including; RADA, Guildhall, Royal Welsh College and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Places in a series of bespoke Open Door workshops led by top industry professionals
- Free theatre tickets
- Bursary and funding advice
- Access to wellbeing support
Similarly, the Open Door Behind The Scenes programme will offer:
- Free interviews at the UK’s leading drama schools; RADA, Guildhall, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Free travel to any the drama school interviews outside of your region
- Mentoring from top industry leaders
- A series of bespoke workshops led by top industry professionals
- Free theatre tickets
- Bursary and funding advice
- Access to wellbeing support
And it’s all free!
The charity is generously supported by supporters across the industry who provide financial backing and/or grants, including: 42mp, Conway van Gelder Grant, Emptage Hallett, Curtis Brown & ARG.
Open Door application criteria:
In order to apply for Open Door you will need to:
- Be based in the Midlands, Essex, Sheffield, London and the South East
- Have an annual family household income of £33,000 or less OR £40,000 or less with mitigating circumstances (caregivers, care leavers, are over 18 and receiving Disability Living Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance or a Carers Allowance)
- Be aged 18-30 for Acting
- Be aged 17-30 for BTS
- Not currently hold a degree
- Have a commitment to Acting or Technical Theatre and Production arts as a career goal
- Intend to apply for a full time 3 year course for the 2023 academic year
- Be a UK citizen or have lived in the UK long enough to be eligible for UK student finance.
First round acting auditions take place:
London:
- Royal Court Saturday 12th November
- Spotlight Sunday 13th November
- Spotlight Sunday 20th November
Sheffield:
- Crucible Theatre Tuesday 15th November
Leicester:
- Curve Theatre Wednesday 16th November
Nottingham:
- Nottingham Playhouse Thursday 17th November
Derby:
- Derby Theatre Friday 18th November
Birmingham:
- Crescent Theatre Saturday 26th November
To find out more about Open Door, visit here…
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