APPLCIATION PACK & BRIEF – Stage Manager - Stuck in the Mud

CONTEXT

GDance seeks to create artistic experiences that are meaningful, that have impact and create change in the minds of participants and audiences who may not ordinarily engage with inclusive work or ethos (please read full Artistic and Learning Statement attached).

Stuck in the Mud is a large partnership production with an associated community / schools engagement programme first created (and re-created for 2 further venues) in 2013.

The Project

Partners:

Produced in 2013 by GDance, in partnership with Ballet Cymru and Hidcote Manor Garden (National Trust).

Confirmed advisory and promotional partners for 2014 performances are: Wales Dance Consortium, Disability Arts Cymru, Taliesin Arts Centre (Swansea), Tan Dance (Port Talbot), Hijinx Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre (Cardiff), and Venue Cymru and Dawns i Bawb (Llandudno). Current contributing funders are: Arts Council of Wales (primary funder), Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the BBC Children in Need Appeal and Arts Council England.

Producer: Helen Crocker (GDance)Artistic Director: Marc Brew (www.marcbrew.com)Choreographic Fellow: Viv Gordon (http://www.meanfeetdance.co.uk/team.asp) Community Engagement Lead: Ailsa Hardy (GDance)

Aims: engage and inspire audiences (potentially new to integrated dance) and

challenge misperceptions of both disability and of dance push the boundaries of integrated dance support the learning development of a Choreographic Fellow develop inclusive ethos and practice in the work of arts and

culture organisations who may not currently be engaging with disabled participants and / or audiences

ensure that all partners and collaborators experience a thoughtful and positive engagement with the project

Project model:

GDance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 6113653, registered office Colwell Arts Centre, registered number 1119797

The 4 main elements are:a) Core professional company (9 Ballet Cymru dancers, plus 3 x specially-

recruited disabled dancers), who perform existing choreography by Artistic Director Marc Brew (www.marcbrew.com), which is tailored to specific areas in each site.

b) Community company (disabled and non-disabled children, young people and / or adults from schools, colleges, amateur dance and / or community groups) who engage in a pre-production week programme of dance sessions and audience development.

c) Choreographic Fellow, who will be recruited through a call-out for disabled, emerging choreographers; mentored by Marc Brew and managed by GDance.

d) Disability equality and inclusive dance development: GDance will support partners / contractors with disability equality awareness and inclusive dance development through: discussions, sharing of past experience, workshops and remote support.

Performance venues and structure:

Each event comprises a one to one-and-a-half hour (depending on location and audience) promenade performance during which the audience are taken on a tour of the garden/ site, viewing dance installations / ‘vignettes’ placed at specifically-chosen places along the audience route.

Stewarding and management of audiences is key to the success of the event. GDance will provide two experienced ‘head’ stewards and manage further stewards sourced through promotional partners.

Where possible, in order to enhance audience experience, performances end with themed food and drink available for audience members to buy.

The production is to be re-created at:

Swansea’s Waterfront Museum as part of the Dance Days Festival on July 12 &13 see : http://www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk/dancedays/ Promotional partner is Taliesin Arts Centre; community company partners will be Tan Dance and, potentially, two Swansea community groups.

Performance site TBC in / near Llandudno in September 20 & 21 see:https://www.venuecymru.co.uk/http://www.dawnsibawb.org.uk/home.php?/homePromotional partners are Venue Cymru and Dawns i Bawb

Wales Millennium Centre Foyer, September 27 & 28 see:https://www.wmc.org.uk/ and http://www.hijinx.org.uk/ Promotional partners are Hijinx Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre

Audiences:

The production appeals to a diverse, family audience, and is appropriate for viewing by young children through to the elderly and those with a broad range of cognitive understanding. Core target audiences include: the friends and family

APPLCIATION PACK & BRIEF – Stage Manager - Stuck in the Mud

of school and community dance groups performing in the production; audiences loyal to Ballet / Dance; disabled people of all ages; and local school children and / or students.

Other target groups may be added at each venue subject to promotional partners’ aims.

THE BRIEF

To support the production team with the smooth running of Stuck in the Mud; in particular, ensuring a safe and enjoyable audience experience.

The Stage Manager will work under the direction of the Production Manager and liaise closely with the Producer, Community Engagement Lead, Artistic Director and Head Stewards.

Key responsibilities:

1. General Stage Management:- Attend production meetings, pre-production site visits and daily

briefings on site as required- Abide by GDance’s Health & Safety policies and procedures and

instructions from The Production Manager, including contributing to risk assessments and taking action to eliminate risks as identified

- Assist the Production Manager and Producer with effective scheduling - Running of rehearsals and other sessions (eg. ‘meet and greet’

sessions for community and professional casts) as scheduled, ensuring adequate breaks and good timekeeping

- Calls during performance- Act as runner during rehearsals to replenish / buy items needed as

directed- Keep accident/ incident file in safe location

2. Audience management:- Direct stewards ensuring effective audience management during

performance- Liaise with the Production Manager and other relevant staff/contractors

regarding wet weather provision- Assist the Production Manager in addressing access issues and

research and put into place appropriate access provision e.g. ramps, toilets, matting, flooring

GDance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 6113653, registered office Colwell Arts Centre, registered number 1119797

3. Staff and volunteer management and welfare:- Volunteer management- Duties relating to cast / production team welfare, health & safety and

access as directed by The Production Manager, including setting up green room and tea/coffee making facilities; ensuring appropriate temperature; ensuring availability of first aid kits, ice / icepacks, etc.

- Liaise with Production Manager or venue managers regarding times and access and egress for professional and community companies

- First Aid responsibilities (including writing/filing of accident / incident reports, and setting up/maintaining first aid stations)

- Daily tidying and cleaning as required of all performance, green room and audience areas

- Attend disability equality training as directed

4. Technical, transport and equipment:- Assist The Production Manager with procurement (buying and hires) as

directed- Support get-ins, de-rigs and clear outs as directed by the Production

Manager, including set up and dismantling of equipment as required- Hire and drive van as directed to transport staging, equipment and/or

costumes to / from performance venues- Basic technical operation as required and as directed by the Production

ManagerFEE & TIMEFRAME

The contractual period is 1 June – 31 October 2014, including:

Some pre-production meetings and preparation 3 x production weeks (commencing 7 July, 15 September and 22

September) Post-production work (eg. returning hired equipment), debrief and

evaluation (between 29 September and 31 October)

All follow-up debriefing, submission of invoices and/or proof of expenditure, and reporting back to GDance, must be complete within 1 month of the final performance in 2014.

Freelance fee: £1,600 - £1,720 (based on £400 - £430 per week)

Travel costs will be reimbursed subject to prior agreement with the Producer, and per diems (of £15.25 per day) and accommodation costs for any work requiring overnight stays will be met by GDance.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Desirable

APPLCIATION PACK & BRIEF – Stage Manager - Stuck in the Mud

Experience

Experience as a Stage Manager of large scale, outdoor productions

Experience of Co-production/collaboration with a variety of partners

Experience of a variety of procurement, negotiating / purchasing goods and services within budget

Experience of touring Some technical experience Proven ability to plan workloads and effectively

manage multiple tasks and priorities Experience of managing contractors and/or

volunteers

Experience of dance or dance theatre productions

Experience of working with disabled performers and/or audience members

A practical knowledge of LOLER, PUWER and other relevant Health and Safety regulations

Quals. & Training

Up to date (within last 3 yrs) First Aid certificate Full UK Drivers Licence Knowledge and experience of current Health &

Safety issues and practice within the UK performing arts industry to include Risk Assessments

Formal technical theatre qualification

Skills and

Knowledge

Good working knowledge of current stage practice

Knowledge of relevant legislation Up to date First Aid Certificate Full UK drivers license Computer literacy Good communication skills – written and verbal Able to undertake manual handling duties

Experience of identifying need for and providing access for outdoor and non theatrical contexts

Attributes Commitment to achieving high standards within resources available

Commitment to equality of opportunity and working inclusively

Flexible approach to working, including availability to work unsocial hours

A positive attitude Calm under pressure A respected stage manager A good team player Flexible and diplomatic A problem solver

HOW TO APPLY

GDance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 6113653, registered office Colwell Arts Centre, registered number 1119797

Please send an outline in a Word document of why you feel you are well placed to deliver this brief to helen@gdance.co.uk by 5pm on Monday 19 May.

Your application should include: Your CV and contact details for 2 x referees A written statement on no more than 4 sides of A4, including:

- Why you are interested in this position- How you meet the person specification (giving specific examples to

evidence experience, understanding or training)

You will be informed as to whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not by the end of Tuesday 20 May. Interviews will be held on Friday 23 May 2014.

Please contact Helen Crocker, Producer, on 01452-550 431 or helen@gdance.co.uk with any queries, or if you need to submit your application in a different format.