March Newsletter
It’s SPRING! Although the weather might say otherwise, we are ready for all things new and blooming. Starting with Outside Edge’s production Barefaced at Chelsea Theatre (18th – 19th March), please come along and support this new original production performed by actors in recovery.
All of our drop-in groups (Write Now, Drop-in Drama & Women’s Drama Group) are welcoming new members, with TWO welcome events for people who are looking for a starting point to their Outside Edge journey. We are also recruiting for an Outreach & Administration Assistant to support Matt & Molly in the back office team.
We’ve had a jam packed February, which you can read all about below. From Social Events to our Young People’s Project we have lots to shout about in this month’s newsletter. We hope to see many of you in person this March, be that as a participant, supporter or an audience member, there is something for everyone.
March Workshop Schedule
Monthly Schedule of Activities
March 2022
If you are new to OETC and would like to participate in any of these activities then please register your interest here, and someone from our team will contact you.
Mondays
6:30pm-8:30pm – Edge Two (Christopher & Júlia)
**Edge Two is our intermediate performance group open to anyone who has attended any of our introductory groups for 3 months. If you are interested in joining Edge Two, or want to find out if you are eligible contact, Tess – admin@edgetc.org**
Tuesdays
3:30pm-5:30pm – East London Drop-in Drama (Shiv & Tess)
6:30pm-8:30pm – East London Write Now (Tunde & Charon)
Wednesdays
3:30pm-5:30pm – West London Write Now (Stewart & Jane)
6:30pm-8:30pm – West London Drop-In Drama (Tunde & Chloe)
Thursdays
12:30pm-2:30pm – Women’s Drama Group (Charon & Chloe/Júlia)
6pm-8pm – Write Two
** This is our intermediate writing group in collaboration with The Royal Court Theatre. The second cohort of writers has been selected and notified. **
Fridays
1:00pm-3:00pm – Peer-led Check-in (Phil)
The chat room is open for participants to support each other, or just meet up to chat about how they are feeling. Open to all participants who have attended 1 other group previously.
6:30pm-8:30pm – South London Drop-In Drama (Júlia & Shiv)
The Company
Rehearsals for ‘Barefaced‘ continue this month. All performers should refer to their rehearsal schedules for dates and times. If you are a Company member who is performing as part of this project and you need more information, please contact Molly.
Masterclass
Saturday 12th March
11:00am – 5:00pm – Acting for Screen with Des Fleming
Spaces are limited so all participants must sign up ahead of the session. See below for more information.
Please note that all OETC’s drop-in groups (excluding Peer-led Check-in) are now running a blended delivery, so you can attend in person or on Zoom.
To keep up to date with the latest schedules check us out on Twitter (@OutsideTheatre) and Facebook (@Outsidedgetheatre) every Monday! Follow us on social media to see what Outside Edge is up to.
BAREFACED – Buy your tickets now!
The Company’s performance of ‘Barefaced’ is just around the corner. Tickets are selling fast so buy yours now to avoid disappointment.
About the show:
When Frank dies a web of lies start to unravel. A group of mourners gather to mark the end of his life. But who really was Frank? And will anyone celebrate his life, or just claim back what was theirs? Performed by Actors in recovery. Directed by Hannah Hauer-King (The Funeral Director, Southwark Playhouse; Grotty, Breathe, Bunker Theatre), written by Jane Bodie (Women’s Prize for Playwriting shortlist, Hampstead Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company).
From the director:
“Outside Edge is an organisation that is unique in its bringing together of aspiring performers and artists from the recovery community. I am thrilled to be working with The Company again in this co-created piece spearheaded by Jane Bodie, to explore the themes of lies and deceit and how they speak to issues surrounding addiction. Barefaced will be a show that has collaboration at its core, and promises to provide joy and humour, alongside more challenging subject matter.” – Hannah Hauer-King
The cast and production team have been hard at work creating the show and preparing for Chelsea Theatre. Last week’s rehearsals gave the cast the chance to record in Community Music’s state of the art recording studios.
We are
in awe of their hard work and creativity and we can’t wait to see the performance later in March. As we bring together our first in person public audience since the pandemic, we hope to see many Outside Edge supporters join us.
‘Barefaced‘ will be performed on Friday 18th March (7:30pm) and Saturday 19th March (3:30pm and 7:30pm) at Chelsea Theatre.
‘Barefaced‘ is kindly supported by:
Edge Two presents… ‘Edge Goes Past the Post’
Outside Edge’s
intermediate drama group, Edge Two, returned in January to explore a new aspect of theatre and performance. Over the past two months they have delved into Postdramatic Theatre guided by Associate Theatre Facilitator – Christopher Holt and Applied Theatre Practitioner & Facilitator – Júlia Couto. Influenced by Postdramatic Theatre practitioners, the group has devised a short piece responding to the module, which they will be sharing on Monday 28th March with Outside Edge Service Users and friends.
‘Edge goes past the Post’ –
A Postdramatic performance from Edge Two
Come and indulge Edge Two, lost in the parallel universe of Postmodernism, with cries to the darkness and journeys into the Surreal – witness the weird and the wonderful.
Date: Monday 28th March
Time: 7:15pm
Where: LAMDA, 155 Talgarth Rd, W14 9DA
About Edge Two:
This is an intermediate group for those who are becoming more established within their recovery and have been attending Outside Edge for three months consistently. The sessions focus on theatre skills and securing a greater understanding of drama as a tool for supporting recovery.
Interested in joining Edge Two?
Well you’re in luck – the next module is just around the corner and you are welcome to join. Come along to the Edge Two performance on March 28th and register your interest in joining the next module with Tess on admin@edgetc.org.
March Masterclass Announcement
Outside Edge is thrilled to announce a new March Masterclass, Acting for Screen with Des Fleming.
What to expect
This ‘Acting for Screen’ masterclass is designed to give participants a practical and hands-on experience of working on camera, in order to gain an understanding of the craft as it relates to screen work. The focus is on narrative, script analysis and using detailed choices to help actors go beyond the lines to find the life in the scene.
About Des Fleming
Des Fleming is an actor, writer and producer with 30 years industry experience. His television and film work has been seen on screens all over the world. Production credits include Neighbours, Jack Irish, Gallipoli and Laws of Attraction. Des currently teaches Acting for Camera to under-grad and post-grad students at Mountview, London. He also teaches a weekly scene study class for professional actors.
Date: Saturday 12th March
Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Mountview (Academy of Theatre Arts),120 Peckham Hill St, SE15 5JT
Reserve your space through the link below by 5pm on Wednesday 2nd March. Spaces are limited so we will contact you after the closing date to confirm your space on the Masterclass.
Welcome Events for New Members
New members are always welcome to join our drop-in groups (Drop- in Drama, Write Now & Women’s Drama Group) at Outside Edge – but this month we are holding two special events to welcome new people who are interested in joining our groups but not sure where to start.
These sessions are a great chance for those who want to try out our activities with a group of people who are also new to the group. You’ll also be able to meet the facilitators, get to know our service users and have a taste of our FREE creative activities.
Existing service users are very welcome – why not bring along a friend, neighbour or anyone else you think might be interested but needs extra support to take the first step.
West London Drop-in Drama Open Evening
We are opening up our popular West London group to anyone who wants to give it a go. There is no need to complete a welcome form or sign up just come along to meet some new people, have fun and get a taste of our work. Biscuits will be provided too!
When: Wednesday 2nd March
Times: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: The Study Society 151 Talgarth Rd, London W14 9DA (5 min walk from Barons Court tube station)
This group meets every Wednesday at 6:30pm and newcomers are always welcome.
East London Welcome coffee
We will be holding a welcome coffee at our East London location at the Brady Arts Centre.
This will be a relaxed gathering with coffee, tea and biscuits and a great opportunity to meet our current service users and staff. Come along for a coffee, ask questions, meet new people and why not stay for our Drop-in Drama group after which take place in the same building.
When: Tuesday 8th March
Times: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: Brady Arts Centre, 192-196, Hanbury St, London E1 5HU (5 min walk from Whitechapel tube station)
Moving Recovery Returns
We are thrilled to announce that our Moving Recovery group is back from April!
This isn’t dance as you know it, you will learn how to unlock your own movements and it’s accessible for everyone regardless of ability. This is an informal group for people who are in recovery or have been affected by addiction, including their family, carers and champions.
Can’t wait to get moving with Outside Edge? Why not book a FREE Moving Recovery Taster Session for your recovery group. These sessions are a fun exploration of the Five Ways to Wellbeing through simple movement exercises that will get participants moving and engaging with one another.
No previous experience is required and any ability or mobility level is welcome.
For more information email Tess on admin@edgetc.org
Moving Recovery is generously supported by:
Young People’s Project Performance
They say that young people are our future- and if that’s the case then the future is looking bright!
Our first Young People’s Half Term Project brought together a group of young people (14-18 years old), who are affected by addiction, for a week of workshops and creative exploration. The group worked with Tunde and Júlia (our experienced facilitators and professional theatre-makers) to create a new piece of theatre which they devised, wrote and performed in.
What resulted was ‘EXIT HERE’ an impressive and insightful piece of theatre which combined written scenes, poems, filmed footage, art and movement. Audience members applauded, commending the performers for their creativity, nerve and talent.
Thank you to the wonderful facilitators, everyone who came out to support and of course our first cohort of young people, who no doubt will go on to do great things.
See what the participants had to say:
“I am more confident to perform in front of people.”
“I have found a new skill and I am excited to do more things around drama.”
“Thank you for the amazing experience.”
“I really showed myself that I can lead a performance.”
The Young People’s Project was generously supported by:
Anti-Valentine’s Day Event
Cupid who?
That is a question we all asked ourselves as we gathered for Outside Edge’s annual ‘Anti-Valentine’s Day Event’ last week. Celebrating the community, creativity and connection the Outside Edge family has to offer.
We met at the wonderful Study Society building, which was not only the perfect setting for our event, but is the home of two of our groups (West London Drop-In Drama & Women’s Drama Group). Under the gleam of the twinkling fairy lights we were immersed in wonderful performances from our participants. The night was hosted by our very own Artistic Director Matt Steinberg who presented a line-up of short scenes, monologues and duologues written by our Write Now groups and Women’s Drama Group. Each scene was performed by Outside Edge actors whose command of the stage was palpable.
We then feasted on pizza and received a selection of plays to take home courtesy of Nick Hern books. After much socialising and fun we left the building with our hearts and bellies full. Old friends were reunited and new friendships were ignited and we were once again reminded of the power of our creative community.
Thank you to all of the wonderful writers who shared their work, the performers who brought their work to life and the volunteers who made it all happen.
We look forward to seeing you all at our next social event in the Summer and at our weekly groups in the meantime.
Spotlight on… Chloe Bradbury (West London Drop-in Drama facilitator)
This month we shine a light on our newest West London Drop-in Drama Facilitator Chloe Bradbury.
Chloe is a professional performer, facilitator and applied theatre practitioner who graduated from Guildford School of Acting with a First Class BA (Hons) in Theatre and Performance. Chloe’s work at Guildford heavily focused on theatre and recovery, particularly, how affect theory and the potentiality of space can re-frame processes of recovery. Chloe’s work further focused on projects amplifying the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness to create legislative change; (un)othering refugees through the arts; and using theatre as a prevention tool for crime.
We caught up with Chloe to find out a little bit more about her, read her interview with Outside Edge here.
We are recruiting – Outreach & Administration Assistant
We are recruiting for a full time Outreach and Administration Assistant to support our back office team.
As well as being responsible for the outreach and related administrative aspects of Outside Edge Theatre Company (OETC), the Outreach & Administration Assistant will play an important role in supporting the trustees and the senior management team. They will also be a central point of contact for members of the public and others in the organisation.
For more information about the role see the full job description here.
To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to recruitment@edgetc.org by 5:00pm on March 18th, 2022.
In your cover letter please detail why you are suitable for the role referring to the specification set out in the job description.
Please also complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form here.
Interviews will be held in the week beginning 28th March, 2022
Quotes of the Month
From Our Friends
Our friends at Bush Theatre will be presenting their Neighbourhood Company show in March. Some of our participants will be performing in this upcoming production and we wish them all the best of luck.
PEOPLE SHOW 142: WE ARE HERE
A Bush Theatre Community Production by People Show & Neighbourhood Company
This is us and we are here.
Dive headfirst into this portrait of our city, told through snatches of overheard conversations and snapshots of stranger’s lives. It’s those countless little moments that shape who we are, and why we are here.
Funny, sentimental and a little absurd – We Are Here weaves together a powerful collection of stories from the imaginations and real lives of our Neighbourhood Company through spoken word, performance and song.
Bush Theatre’s Neighbourhood Company are a group of 20 local people who have been working with theatre company People Show to devise a thoughtful, dynamic and inviting production, to which everyone is welcome.
Tickets are pay what you can and are available to book below.
Support Us
To continue to offer our creative activities for free we rely on the continued support of grants and donations.
If you would like to help Outside Edge through this challenging time, then please consider donating.
