We hope you are well! Thank you so much to all who attended our #weareMENA films launch on Friday. We hope you enjoyed watching the enchanting and thought-provoking pieces and hearing from our commissioned artists as much as we did. A massive congratulations to our commissioned artists, big thanks to our wonderful panel of judges and all involved in making the film launch a success. What a fantastic celebration of the amazing MENA+ talent we have within our community, and we can’t wait to see even more!

If you attended, please could you take a minute to fill out this survey, to help us to continue delivering events like the film launch!

In case you missed it, you can catch up HERE!

Sharing conversations and opportunities

• A callout for a part-time creative producer:

“Riham Isaac, a theatre maker from Palestine, is looking for a creative producer for her new solo show 'Another Lover's Discourse'. The Show has been commissioned by Belfast International Festival, where it will be having its premiere in October 2021 and she is planning to tour in the UK after that. She is seeking an energetic, inspiring (and organised!) producer to work with her on this, who would really relish the challenge and excitement of making an international project like this happen. An initial funding of £1.5k for the role is in place but it is expected that the ambition of the show, fee and the role, will grow. She is looking for someone to join by March/April 2021. If this is of interest, please contact her to send you more info about the role on riham.isaac@gmail.com"

More about Riham's work: https://www.rihamisaac.com

• A casting callout for a developmental workshop of a play by Sharifa Yasmin, directed by Sivan Battat with Uprising Theatre Co:

“Paid Opportunity. Online (so actor can be from anywhere). Non-union. For Uprising Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Looking for an actor for the following role for an upcoming 20 hour developmental workshop for a play by Sharifa Yasmin, directed by Sivan Battat. Workshop will be online followed by a public reading.

ZARA - She/Her. Trans AMAB. Of Middle Eastern, North African or South Asian descent. Muslim. Late teens. Zara, a high school junior, is independent, strong-willed, and fiercely intelligent. Her quick wit and sharp tongue mask the vulnerability and hurt she feels after being disowned by her family because of her gender identity.”

For more information or to express interest, send an email to connect@uprisingtheatreco.com

• A callout from Orange Tree Theatre for a Director. The role is suited to someone with theatre experiences and creating work for young people:

“The Orange Tree is looking for an exceptional theatre director with experience creating work for young people to direct an abridged version of a Shakespeare production of your choosing which will play to around 3,000 young people in Summer 2021 as part of our Primary Shakespeare project.  Primary Shakespeare aims to give students a thrilling introduction to Shakespeare in performance that is lively and engaging whilst encouraging an understanding of both the language and key themes of the play.”
 

Please email your application to takepart@orangetreetheatre.co.uk with 'Primary Shakespeare Director Application' in the subject line.

Closing date: 30th March. For more info on the role: https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/opportunities/current-vacancies/primary-shakespeare-director

• Two jobs available at the Blue Elephant Theatre: Deputy Theatre Manager and Community & Development Assistant. Deadline April 9th. More info: http://blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/vacancies-blue-elephant-theatre

• Vault Festival has opened applications for their New Writers Programme and New Directors Programme: https://vaultfestival.com/opportunities/

• Open Clasp is looking for an experienced, highly organised and motivated Project Coordinator. The Project Coordinator will plan, organise and co-ordinate a broad range of projects. They are interested in candidates who desire to advocate for change in the areas of inclusion, diversity and the rights of women and girls to equality and fairness. Deadline 19th April. For more info: https://www.artsjobs.org.uk/arts-job/post/project-coordinator-927496ca4e/

• Bradford Producing Hub are offering artists based in or with a connection to Bradford funds and grants toward projects as part of their ‘Make Work Happen’ campaign to encourage the creation of new work. Deadline 23rd April. Details and to apply: https://bdproducinghub.co.uk/make-work-2021/

• Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe are looking for a Project and Events Coordinator for “The Outsiders Project’, which centres around giving a voice to side-lined groups within society. They are looking for an individual who is passionate about developing creative projects which give voice to vulnerable and marginalised communities. Deadline 5th April. Details: https://gotbeaf.co.uk/job-opportunity-the-outsiders-project-projects-events-coordinator/

• The Greenhouse – the UK’s first zero-waste theatre – is searching for a Director to bring a piece of new eco-theatre to life. They are looking for a passionate, talented, brilliant young creative to direct one of their new shows. Deadline 2nd April. For more info: https://www.artsjobs.org.uk/arts-job/post/emerging-director-wanted-for-uks-first-zero-waste-theatre/

- Shakespeare’s Globe is currently seeking a Theatre General Manager to join their Theatre department. Deadline 6th April. Details: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/jobs-and-opportunities/theatre-general-manager-march21/

And that’s everything! For the new members, mailout is sent on a fortnightly basis. Please keep sharing and sending me any of your wonderful work or opportunities you want included in the next mailout to this email. Now more than ever lets keep circulating our brilliant stories; whether its past work, articles, videos, or something you think the membership may find interesting, please do drop me an email! Please continue to sign up to our directory, and share our community with your friends in the industry!

Have a great week,

Jessie x

Our position on endorsement.

Our main areas of work is to help connect the creative industries with UK MENA+ talent, so we will always share castings, job opportunities, or marketing information. We will track these projects in the hope that they are a great example of how MENA+ talent is used. But by sharing this information, it should not be seen as an endorsement of the project.

We will call out work that is appropriating a MENA+ narrative and does not have MENA+ talent at the heart of the creative process; and we will always champion, front and centre, work that is made for and by MENA+ talent.

Our position on world events.

Our focus is on bringing artists from the MENA+ region together, celebrating what connects us, spotlighting our achievements, and lobbying for change when it comes to representation in the British live and recorded arts industry. As such, while we fully support each individual’s right to their own political or artistic beliefs, we will not take a position on political events coming out of the MENA+ region.