Hey Community,

I have recently started rehearsals for my new one women play THE DROWNED GIRL which will be on at The Yard Theatre In Hackney in February, directed by the lovely Anna Poole

Although the shows going to be on in London I feel that this is due to the support I have gained from NTW and being a member of this community site.

Earlier this year I was very lucky to be given a place on the National Theatre Wales Pollinate Summercamp. Summercamp was an excellent experience for me and helped a lot with my confidence and helped me decide the work I want to create, I highly recommend it to anyone. It was at Summercamp that I started to develop this piece. During my time at Summercamp away from the everyday stresses I was able to explore the idea with the support of fellow artists from all disciplines. The piece started out as something really unclear in my head and by time I came away two weeks later I had a whole new motivation, had discovered the potential of this piece and was ready to start making it a reality. 

Post Summercamp I had a whole new out look on making work and started dedicating one whole day a week (which was quite a luxury for me) where myself along with another artist would book a rehearsal space split the cost and work on both our solo shows supporting each other in the process along the way. This is when the opportunity for The Yard came up.

I remember seeing a blog post on this site by Mawgaine Tarrant Cornish (Director) advertising that The Yard Theatre were accepting open submissions to be part of their N.O.W 14 collection. Artists had to send a one page description of their idea and how it relates to the title N.O.W 14, 20 pieces would be chosen and performed over 10 weeks.  I was unsure whether to apply but decided even if I only got an interview at least it was an interview with another theatre that I may be able to work with in the future. So I applied and got an interview and despite being 4 hours late for that interview due to getting stuck on a Megabus for 8 hours, much to my surprise I got it.

Last Monday I went for a Marketing Meeting and to meet the Yard team and will be spending my xmas getting ready to going into full rehearsals for the show. I am very excited to be given the opportunity to work on a piece that is so personal to me.

I am really thankful for the opportunity and for Summercamp and community for giving me the confidence and alerting me to the opportunity in the first place. I really feel like if it wasn't for those two weeks surrounded by great makers and wonderful people I wouldn't have had the courage or tenacity to make this piece happen. I will be keeping everyone updated on the progress of the piece and hope to see you all there in February

Here is a link the show page

http://theyardtheatre.co.uk/show/n-o-w-14-week-3/

Kind Regards

Kelly Jones

x