MEGA ASSEMBLY- BIRTHDAY CAKE AT 10AM!

It is not everyday that you are invited along to a party that begins at 10am. A party that involves a bottle of Cava by early afternoon! That is exactly what National Theatre Wales thought would be a fabulous idea to conclude their first year with all their new and established TEAM MEMBERS!

 

Upon arrival, people were a little unsure of what would be happening, but everyone began to chat to people they had just met, and before long you would believe everyone had known each other for years! Upon entering the room, we were greeted by 4 TEAM  members who had each been assigned a TEAM colour. There was a choice of Pink, Yellow, Green & Blue- but quite frankly it was the vibrant decorations and friendly faces at the Pink table that grabbed my attention! (The best team, right?) 

With plenty of refreshments, everyone introduces themselves and the morning's festivities began!

 

With the tune of YMCA thumping through the speakers, each TEAM captain gave us a rendition of (what I now believe should be) the new TEAM theme song. "T.E.A.M". We were then asked in our individual groups a question.

"How has NTW affected you and/or your community?" 

We each then had to report back with three words that summed up our answer! (granted some of the groups may have cheated....!)

 

Question 2 then began with a NEWS and weather report, asking the question "What did you enjoy most about NTW & did it exceed your expectations?". This time, each group reported back using the same method of a News report. Apart from TEAM Yellow, with their creative version of "TEAM FACTOR!". I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

 

After lunch, the TEAM captains performed a series of mime's that reflected their answers to question 3 "What opportunities do you think NTW should offer?". Reporting back in the style of a mime, this was the time to get competitive! With 1 point given for guessing correctly, and 1 point for performing a clear 'Mime', no- one was really sure who won that round.....

 

The fourth performance was probably the most serious and well thought out piece that began with a poem written by Ali. My favourite line was "The world is an Oyster, National Theatre Wales in the Pearl", and with the other performers using themselves to balance one another whilst sticking notes to each others bodies, I thought it reflected their ideas the clearest out of all the performances. 

In our groups we were then asked to write our ideas to question 4 "What kind of support do you think NTW need to provide?", TEAM Pink decided it would be very creative to present in Height order! (we're 'artists' what do you expect?!)

 

The fifth and final question had everybody in stitches as the performers improvised a scenario  that included John McGrath trying to break into the NTW office trying to disguise himself as an 'emerging talent'! With a map of 'Programme 2032' and ownership of Cardiff Castle, the TEAM leaders certaintly saw the future being bright for NTW! With a flipchart and our creative thinking caps on, we were then asked to answer "How do you see NTW in the future? What do you think it will be in 20 years time?". Conclusively, all groups believed that even as they grow, NTW should never forget their "roots". 

 

From all of the questions above, there was an overall consensus that NTW needed to continue the work they had been doing, but also perhaps offering new young artists the support and contacts in order for them to continue growing and producing their own work. Many wanted a list of rehearsal spaces, money, partnership, accessible information, application support and many more voluntary/paid opportunities for experience! (Not much then.......!) But although there were many requests, everyone believed that everything that had been offered so far exceeded everyone's expectations, and any preconceptions of NTW as being a typical, pretenscious group had definitely been abolished a long time ago!

 

After a fantastic day of discussing and partying,  each person was asked to write a dream/wish/hope on a luggage tag and tie it to a balloon. As a Team, we then all released our balloons, where they vanished into the sky (apart from John's that never took off!) and we all stood hoping that our messages would eventually come true! With the Cava and Shloer now flowing,  I'm pretty sure Catherine and Devinda were proud of all their hard work!

 

After long days of preparation, hard work and team effort- I am sure that the whole of the NTW production team are buzzing about beginning their second year. Who knows what the next MEGA ASSEMBLY will bring?

 

Thanks Guys- and I am sure I speak on behalf of everybody when I say that we look forward to seeing/working with you very soon!

 

CHEERS! 

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Comment by Devinda De Silva on August 1, 2011 at 4:35

Excellent summary of the day Katie - its was definitely one of my highlights of the past year or so. I'm really pleased with the ideas that came out of it and everyone's ideas have certainly helped me get a clearer idea on where TEAM should be heading in the future. I'll be posting something up very soon. A massive thanks to you all.

In the meantime here's a photo of the balloon releasing - where's John?? very suspicious

 

 

 

Comment by abdul shayek on July 31, 2011 at 9:33

I think John did sabotage the balloon...

Great report Katie, personally it was great to meet and hear the feedback.  All the thoughts were very helpful for me to include in my planning and thinking around what 'Assembly' becomes and how current and future Team members engage with it.

 

Comment by National Theatre Wales on July 30, 2011 at 23:13
Great report Katie.  Just one inaccuracy - my balloon did take off!!  the one that didn't was the one by one of the people after my job!!  Not saying whether I sabotaged that balloon or not!!
Comment by John Williams on July 30, 2011 at 10:36
I must say Katie some wonderful blogs you really are a great writer and some up the process and 'Mega Assembly' day well. Great Work !!

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