DAC Beachcroft celebrates success with Made In Bristol
8 Jul 2019
Photography by Jon Craig.
On Thu 4 Jul, representatives from international law firm DAC Beachcroft were officially thanked for their ongoing support of Bristol Old Vic’s Made In Bristol scheme – now in its ninth year – which nurtures creativity in Bristol’s young theatre-makers.
Made In Bristol is a group of young people who have finished school, are on a gap year or just trying to work out their next step. The project allows 12 people aged 18-25 to become resident at Bristol Old Vic for a year, create their own company and learn how to be theatre-makers and practitioners. They graduate by producing their own piece of work, fully supported by Bristol Old Vic.
This year’s Made In Bristol company (named Play the Goat) officially opened their production Off-Peak on Thursday in front of an audience including 50 members of the DAC Beachcroft team who then stayed to congratulate the young actors on their achievement and share a moment on stage with them.
Off-Peak production photography by Chelsey Cliff.
Play the Goat company member Carlos Sandin said: “Made In Bristol has been an incredibly invaluable scheme for me to learn and begin a career in the world of theatre. A dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember. However, none of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of DAC Beachcroft. Their commitment to the Made In Bristol project has been fundamental to our development as actors, directors, writers, workshop leaders and theatre makers.”
Bristol Old Vic’s Executive Director Sally Cordwell said: “We’re delighted to receive support from DAC Beachcroft towards one of our flagship engagement projects – Made In Bristol. DAC Beachcroft has given us incredible support over the last five years, allowing us to support young people as they discover the power and impact their imaginations can have and forge new creative partnerships and find their own unique voice in the world. Such meaningful corporate support in the city really makes a difference to our work and to the city as a rich and vibrant place to work, live and play.”
Nick Knapman, Partner and Head of DAC Beachcroft’s Bristol office said: “We are very proud of our longstanding association with Bristol Old Vic and our more recent sponsorship of its Made In Bristol programme. We wish all those who have participated in this year’s Made In Bristol programme every future success as they embark on their careers.”
Made In Bristol has been running for nine years
- 12 young people aged 18-25 become resident for two days a week for a year.
- They are trained to become workshop leaders, assistants and theatre makers.
- They graduate by producing their own piece of work, fully supported by Bristol Old Vic.
- 98% of Made In Bristol trainees go onto further education or employment in the sector.
- Made In Bristol alumni include The Wardrobe Ensemble, who have just completed a run in the West End with their show Education, Education, Education.
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.