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Elements - The County Durham Drama Initiative

Drama

Elements

Elements is County Durham's drama development initiative. We run a varied programme of work to give people the chance to take part in and watch high quality theatre.

Over the last three years the programme has included:

  • Funding for experienced theatre groups.
  • Funding a new commission by a professional company.
  • Business planning support for two professional companies.
  • A co-ordinated marketing project.
  • The development of a touring scheme for small-venues.
  • The production of the County Youth Theatre's Handbook.

During the next year the project will be focusing on the following areas:

Community Touring and Venue Development

We will be working with volunteers and professionals to bring high quality arts events to communities across County Durham. Elements works with a range of partners to reach audineces who would not normally take part in the arts.

Professional Programmers Forum

Elements has launched a forum for professional venues in County Durham and beyond. The forum promotes opportunities for venues to work together and in time we hope it will help to bring a wider range of exciting acts to the county.

Professional Development

Elements runs a range of professional development workshops for County Durham’s theatre professionals to encourage and support the production of new work. Future plans include for Professional Development include developing a dedicated website, encouraging theatre professionals to become assessors for the touring scheme and specialist business advice for companies and individuals.

Youth Theatre

Elements has plans to increase support for County Durham’s youth theatre sector. These include updating the youth theatre directory for the County, encouraging young people with an interest in performing arts to undertake Arts Council’s Arts Award, and a “sharing event” where youth drama groups will have the opportunity to perform.

Elements is supported by Arts Council England North East, Durham County Council, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Easington and Wear Valley District Councils and Sedgefield Borough Council. A Steering Group with representatives from these funders and the County's theatre companies manages the programme and the initiative is co-ordinated by Durham County Council's Projects Officer (Arts Development Team).

For further information please contact the Projects Officer on tel: 0191 3708823.