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Drama Festivals Conference 2007

22 September 2007, Swan Theatre, Worcester
10am – 4.30 pm £40 including lunch and refreshments

Raising money for your drama group or festival through sponsorship is to be the morning headline session for the 2007 Drama Festivals Conference, while the afternoon will be devoted to play selection and writing for drama festivals.
The bi-annual conference, organised by the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, moves to a new venue this year and will be held at the Swan Theatre Worcester, on Saturday September 22.
And in a move aimed at maximising participation, the cost of involvement in the event has been reduced to £40 per delegate - £9 cheaper than the last conference, held in Birmingham in 2005.
Bridget Moore, currently Marketing Manager of the Swan Theatre, will lead the session on raising sponsorship funds, which will include practical advice on such topics as: the business/arts partnership; how much should you ask; what the sponsor will expect in return; and where to start looking for a funding partner or sponsor.
Bridget has a wealth of experience in arts marketing and worked at a leading Midlands PR and sponsorship agency before joining the thriving Swan Theatre – a venue that combines professional touring shows with a healthy programme of community drama.
The morning session of the conference will also include workshop forums and a plenary session looking at the current state and future of the drama festival movement.
The aim is to identify the biggest issues affecting the future of the festival movement and to perhaps settle upon one big key issue that the main bodies involved in the drama festivals movement can take away and work on, in an effort to produce some positive and long lasting improvements before the next conference in 2009.
Two of Britain’s leading one act playwrights will be the focus of the afternoon session.
David Tristram whose hilarious chronicles of amdram life in Little Grimley have helped make him the amateur theatre’s most performed playwright, will be joined by Nick Warburton whose many and varied one act plays are drama festival staples, will take centre stage in a writer’s forum that forms the centrepiece of the event, at the Swan Theatre, Worcester on Saturday September 22.
The forum will be preceded by a play selection workshop to be chaired by experienced adjudicator Colin Dolley, co author with Rex Walford of the One Act Play Companion.
The Swan Theatre is a splendid venue and there’s plenty of hotel and B and B accommodation in the historic city of Worcester as well as ample parking in the public pay and display car park adjacent to the theatre.
If you would like to be part of conference please contact Paul Fowler GODA, 15 The Grove, Kettering, Northants, NN15 &QQ.
Email: paul@paul-fowler.co.uk. Tel: 01536 511308.

 So you want to be a Drama Adjudicator?

Ever sat in the audience at a drama festival, listened to the adjudication and thought: “I would love a go at that” .. or even “I could do better” ?
Well now’s your chance!
The Guild of Drama Adjudicators is holding a one-day course on the art and craft of adjudication at The Swan Theatre in Worcester on Sunday September 23.
Prospective adjudicators can attend sessions on preparing for a festival, how to structure notes, and the techniques of delivering constructive criticism. The intricacies of the marking system and the differing needs of teams, festival organisers and audiences will be covered, and there will be information on the Guild and the process of becoming a member.
There will be an opportunity to see some live theatre and try your hand at public adjudication in a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere.
The course, staffed by experienced GODA adjudicators will be invaluable should you decide you wish to pursue adjudicating more seriously and eventually attend a GODA selection weekend, and it will provide an entertaining and informative insight into the work of the adjudicator should you simply be curious about the occupation.
The fee for the day is just £35 and further information can be obtained from GODA secretary Jo Crossley, 25 The Drive, Bengeo, Hertford, Herts, SG14 3DE. Tel: 01993 – 581993. Email: crossley@bengeo25.freeserve.co.uk

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