The South Devon Players Theatre & Film Company News

Children's DVDs added to our fundraising ebay account

24/7/2021

Thanks to an awesome local lady's donations, our fundraising ebay account has been updated with a lovely selection of good condition children's DVDs, just in time for the holidays, all listed this evening! Lots of Disney and other content. Every penny raised goes into our rehearsals/ props/ costuming/ venue hire/ insurances etc (and thus mean we can keep running!)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/southdevonplayers

Play the #Torbay Lottery for just £1, support our #theatre work & creating arts opportunities for local people

14/7/2021

Play the #Torbay Lottery for just £1, support our #theatre work & creating arts opportunities for local people - AND be in with a chance to win a luxury #staycation- to enter, visit:
https://www.torbaylottery.co.uk/.../the-south-devon-players

A new collaboation coming soon

29/6/2021

We had a fabulous meeting on Monday at our lovely friends cafe Crafty Cwtch, with the amazing local inclusion project The BIG Social- the intention and hope is to link to our theatre buddies inclusion project- both we and The Big Social aim to make events more accessible for people struggling with loneliness and isolation; and we are looking to provide just such increased access to arts and culture with our buddy scheme (info at https://www.southdevonplayers.com/buddies.html). We then met with a lovely lady joining the fledgling theatre buddies volunteer team, Vikki.

Theatre Buddies!

26/4/2021

We are are working on a project for post-covid, that we have called Theatre Buddies, to increase access to the arts and combat lonliness/ isolation, in our own small way. It is especially aimed to help people who feel they cannot attend events like theatre shows or other live entertainment because they do not have someone to go with.
We are gathering feedback and information to help us develop the idea, and we would be enormously grateful for any time or thoughts anyone would want to put into our research survey!

The survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VQ3MXC6 and takes about 3 / 4 mins to complete.

(Project details explaining the idea in full are at https://www.southdevonplayers.com/buddies.html)

Helpers and volunteers appeal

2/4/2021

As we look towards busier times again after the pandemic, we are also looking for people who would like to get involved with us, behind the scenes, to help create shows, and increase access to our work. The roles we are looking to fill vary hugely in commitment and theme, but as long as you are based in the relevant area, are reliable & communicative, and love the arts, then we should get along very happily indeed. Please read on to find out what we are looking to fill. If you would like an informal chat about any of these roles, do please drop us an email on southdevonplayers@gmail.com, at any time.

*NB, at the moment, due to lack of funding, all of these roles are voluntary. We hope, eventually, to be able to make all of these roles paid positions by dint of raising the funds to do so! Sadly with the Brixham Pannier Market being permanently closed by the town council, we have lost our large second-hand book stall, meaning that we are having to create new sources of fundraising even for basic things like rehearsal space, from scratch.

COVID NOTE
We would also like to be very clear that we take Covid-safety extremely seriously. While some roles can be done, or at least prepared for, from home and can therefore start sooner rather than later, any roles that involve working out and about with others/ in groups will only begin when it is safe to do so - we estimate August onwards. In the meantime, training and preparation, as far as can be done remotely over Zoom etc, will happen for those roles in preparation. All of our "face to face" work in groups will have Covid-safety measures in place.

FUNDRAISERS (largely from home)

This is a role which can largely be done from home. We are especially looking for someone who is good at writing grant applications, to help us contact funding bodies, for arts funding.

This is likely to require use of a computer, and the internet; the person helping should be reasonably literate and numerate, and able to communicate a real enthusiasm for, and love of the arts.

Funding could be for specific costs like rehearsal space, costumes, props, etc, towards a specific theatre production, or for general use of the theatre company.

We are also looking for people who are interested in helping create new innovative ways to fundraise, within our organisations people-power and access to facilities. (This could be online, or in person, or something new altogether; as long as it is legal and ethical!)

Full support is given, and these roles are ones which are in regular communication with the rest of the theatre company admins, so that we can all work together and not jump on anyone's toes.

The request for help is because there is more to do than hours in the day for the theatre company admin team, and we desparately need help to be able to apply for things!

The time commitment varies around what the volunteer is able to do, and does not require strictly kept hours.

ANY help is amazing.

THEATRE BUDDIES (Torbay, Plymouth, Bristol)
This is a new venture which we will be trialling in late 2021 and into 2022, when we return to live shows, to increase access to our theatre productions. At the moment we are looking for theatre buddies in our most regular areas of performance; Torbay, Plymouth and Bristol, although we expect to expand this.

Many people, either older, or with social anxiety, may be worried about attending a theatre production on their own, and therefore do not attend. Sometimes they do not have a partner, or friend who is available to attend with them, and this is where the Theatre Buddies come in. The official theatre buddy will act as a friendly, approachable person who will meet these audience members at the entrance of the show, and faciitate friendly company at the show and during the interval; and if there are several people coming on their own, the theatre buddy will make introductions and facilitate a friendly group experience. Meetings start and end at the theatre or performance venue.

The theatre buddy will be asked to be in regular contact with the rest of the theatre company for show information, details of any buddy requests, and anything related to making a friendly, welcoming experience for anyone requesting a theatre buddy.
There is no need to share personal information or contact details, as buddying will be done through the theatre company.

We will require checkable references for this role. The theatre buddy needs to be trustworthy; positive, respectful of, and patient with, other people of any demographic, able to facilitate friendly conversation; and have excellent communication skills.

The time committment will involve online or in-person discussions with the theatre admin team at mutual convenience, and attendance at theatre performances up to four evenings per year, in thier local area (with a free ticket and drink for the Theatre Buddy!).

TRAINEE SOUND & LIGHTING STAGE CREW (Torbay)

We are looking to take on one or two people to join our production team with sound and lighting work for shows.

This will involve learning to run our basic (but safe and functional) sound/ lighting (and possibly video projection) equipment, and working to production cue scripts, in conjunction with the production team, on our major stage shows from the end of 2021, onwards.

The ideal trainee will have an excellent eye for, and attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and be able to reliably attend rehearsals and performances.

They should also be communicative with the rest of the team, well-mannered,calm, tidy & adhere to acceptable social behaviour at all times.

During spring/summer 2021, theory and distanced training can be provided at mutually agreed times over Zoom, then From September, the time committment will be one weekday evening and/or one weekend afternoon, with attendance at show performances which take place on Fridays and Saturdays several times a year.

Actors available for voice overs, digital work etc

7/1/2021

Have you wanted to create voiceovers or demo videos for a product? Connect with audiences using video and voiceover? If so, we have a fantastic team of professional male and female actors, all with their own home studios, and recording equipment, who are available to record for you. During the Covid pandemic, we are all accustomed to working online and creating from our home studios. We can do the same for you.
Our team members are happy to audition so that you can find the perfect fit for your requirements.

If you feel we can help, and would like to discuss further, please email us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com to discuss.

Early December updates - Hello again!

15/12/2020

We must apologise for the quietness over the last few weeks - lots of things have been happening!

Taming of the Shrew news
First of all, we must apologise for the cancellation of The Taming of the Shrew. Due to illness in the team, it was impossible to continue to the deadline. (for the record those affected are recovering well!). The team behind that project plan to resurrect it in the future, timing to be decided in that team.

Sir Walter's Women
On the plus side, the performance of Sir Walter's Women went very well, with great feedback from the author - we certainly hope to work with Rachel again, especially when shows come back to the live stage in the future. It is wonderful to find a playwright who, like us, loves researched historical plays.

Triniman's Basin
While working on Sir Walter's Women, we also were commissioned by Ivybridge Community Arts, to produce a video about a local Ivybridge legend. The Legend of Triniman's Basin, telling the story of how a young gardener from Stowford House was murdered, and how a point in the River Erne came to be known as Trinimans Basin, after the death of the murderer there, was recorded at almost the same time, and is now available to view online.

BSL Christmas stories
We are currently working on a pair of children's Christmas stories, both spoken as recordings and recorded in BSL (British Sign Language), which will be available for free via this website, in the next few days. (The signing for the second story is being done as we speak). This project has been very kindly funded by Western Power Distribution. It is the first time we have worked with getting BSL signing (the first of many projects, and increasing the accessibility of our productions) .

Welcoming new stage crew
We are delighted to be welcomeing new stage crew, Sophie on tech and set design, Rebekah who is a trainee ASM and filmmaker, Pete assisting with research and digital shows, and Jean on costuming. We are still looking for a stage lighting/ sound tech to join the crew - please check our Crewing page if you would like to be considered to join our upcoming team.

Next castings coming up:
We have our next open casting announcements coming up. With show dates for both virtual projects and "live" shows in discussion (we have provisional live show dates booked for later in 2021, but of course physical rehearsals and shows are dependant on covid safety, and venues being able to re-open to audience numbers which makes a show tour viable in terms of ticket sales for our actors.).
Please keep an eye on our newsfeed for the latest castings - we hope to announce during either December 2020 or Jan 2021.

Housekeeping
We are currently in the final stages of updating the company documents and governance documents. As a lot of these are the policies and procedures by which we run, we ask that all actors, crew and anyone else who works with us, pops over to the Policies page to check up on them. As always it is all just really about checking the latest best practice, and making sure that our paperwork reflects what we do anyway. We find that it is best to keep things open and clear.

Next shows coming up:

Coming up next, we have two virtual shows already planned, Lost Girl and Jack The Ripper, rehearsals for both are well underway, and the tickets are on sale on our box office page

Promoting our actors for external work

24/10/2020

With online productions continuing, as people find new ways to work, and with Covid-safe filming now happening on various features, and TV programmes, we are open once more to external castings for our actors. Every actor put forward for external work from us, has worked with us to the highest level of skill, reliability and professionalism.
If you have a casting for work that can be done from a home studio, or that is filming on location in Devon and Cornwall with a Covid-risk assessment and safety procedures, then we would lov to put forward those of our team who may fit your casting, for audition. Please send the casting details to southdevonplayers@gmail.com

This is, of course, for paid work only.
When you contact us, please ensure that you include details of
- pay/expenses
- synopsis
- dates
- locations
- who the production company are.
- Covid safety details/ risk assessment

Update - Recasting Sir Walter Raleigh - and show pay from previous performances

15/10/2020

First of all, we are having to recast Sir Walter Raleigh!
This is a brilliant, three hander, one act play, being performed (as long as it can be cast!) at the end of November, online. Sir Walter, is the lead role. The rest of the team are waiting on getting this part cast, in order to be able to start rehearsing (and tickets are already selling!) so we are looking at casting over the next few days if we can find the right person.

This is a one-act drama about the life of Sir Walter Raleigh as he manoeuvres his status as a favourite of Elizabeth I to satisfy his political ambitions. Into the Court arrives Bess Throckmorton. They fall in love and marry in secret, to the great and lasting displeasure of the Queen. The Queen dies and the envious James I comes to power and the play ends with Sir Walter's incarceration, trial and execution.

Rehearsals will be Wednesday evenings over Zoom, plus any techincal and choreography workshops needed to support the cast, at mutually agreed times. Actors will need to have access to a laptop and webcam, with a plain wall backdrop or greenscreen for rehearsing and performing over Zoom.

Interested actors should see our CASTING AND AUDITIONS PAGE on how to apply, request sides, and for all information on how we work as a company.

Payments from Snow and True Spooky Tales of Brixham
Payments to cast and crew from these two productions are currently going out.

All cast for Spooky Tales will have recieved their payments last night.

Those whose payment details we have from Snow, also went out last night, we are just waiting on a couple of cast to let us have their payment details so that we can get theirs en-route as well.

Long update on our projects & news this autumn

15/9/2020

Hello everyone!
This is our big update on our projects and what we are doing while this Covid situation continues around the world. Please read on to find out the latest on our online shows, offline shows, and other activities.

As things stand, the UK goverment have just brought in what is commonly known as the Rule of Six (meaning that only six people can meet up in a space), as infections nationally are on the rise.

--- Returning to live shows
For now, our first returning shows are being booked for Jan/ Feb 2021, with our production of Jack The Ripper. That is hoping that it will be safe for theatres to reopen by then. If there are delays on this, we will postpone. In the meantime, our cast are busily rehearsing and fine-tuning the show. We are currently rehearsing soley on Zoom. As things stand, physical rehearsals are not viable. We would need to be 2metres apart at all times, facing forward away from one another, which is impossible to create a natural show between different characters. While we will return once it is safe to do so (and viable to rehearse in a suitable way), at the moment it is all over Zoom.

---Online shows
We have a great autumn season of four shows, Tickets on sale via our box office HERE for all of the shows, with synopses, and breakdowns, with brilliant transatlantic casts. Every penny from ticket sales will be shared equally among the cast and crew of the show - after all, this is all about creating work for actors and creatives during these tough times.

Should the covid crisis run into the New Year, any delays in returning to the physical stage, will lead to a winter/ spring Online Season.

---The Spooky Tales of Brixham
With Arts Council funding, from Torbay Culture, our team are creating a video of local spooky ghost stories. With a Halloween broadcast, tickets will be on sale from the beginning of October, and all funds raised will go to our friends at Brixham Theatre.

---Professional actors available
We have a fantastic team of actors who are available for (paid) voiceover work, home-recording for zoom projects. If you have a casting call, please email us on southdevonplayers@gmail.com. We are committed to doing our best to create work for our actors and crew.

--Other activities
We are using the time as usefully as possible. Studying and developing new trends in marketing theatre, creating new technology for our live shows, developing new resources to assist new actors joining the