Festival Blog
Why Creative Learning Matters
22.10.20 | Staff Insight | Industry Insight
As we enter into an uneasy October Half Term, our Creative Learning Manager Sarah Witcomb took some time to think about why we run our year-round arts education programme. In this post, Sarah advocates for the enormous benefits of creative learning in schools, for children, parents, communities, and our collective health.
Meet James Hardie, Festival Music Programmer
12.10.20 | Staff Insight
Read about James’ vision for the Festival’s music programme; from bolstering music education to diversifying audiences and venues for our classical offering.
Creating The Journey: How to Make a Public Soundscape
2.10.20 | Artist Insight | Industry Insight
For 2019’s Festival Launch, we worked with a team of artists and producers to create The Journey, an immense evening of storytelling centred on a highwire walk across Norwich Market. In this post, Sound Designer Helen Atkinson charts her experience of the project, capturing voices from across the county to create a sonic story of Norfolk, migration and home.
Creative Individuals: Why supporting Norfolk's creative communities is more important than ever
25.9.20 | News Update | Industry Insight
We know the vital role creative individuals play in the arts ecology. And we know freelance creative workers have been some of the hardest hit during Covid-19 pandemic. Festival Production Officer Ailsa McKay outlines one of the ways in which the Festival is supporting artistic projects and communities in Norfolk, and explains just how pivotal Freelancers are to the Creative Sector.
Regional Theatre at Risk: Lock Down at Sheringham Little Theatre
18.9.20 | News Update | Industry Insight
As we begin working with Sheringham Little Theatre across a number of projects, Theatre Director Debbie Thompson shares her experience of leading one of North Norfolk’s most-loved venues through lock down, explaining why regional theatre is now more important than ever.
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10.9.20 | Staff Insight | Creative Writing
We asked poet and one of 2020’s Volunteers Coordinators Ellie Reeves to respond the Festival’s cancellation in her chosen medium. In this poem, Ellie reflects on change, career paths, and perfecting Mary Berry’s roulade in the time of Covid.
‘Undoing’ a Festival? Thoughts from an Assistant's first six months
21.8.20 | Staff Insight
Every year, four Assistants join the Festival ranks for 18 months of hand-on industry experience. In this post Abbie Reeve, the Festival’s latest Production & Programming Assistant, shares experiences from her first six months in the role, and what can be learnt from unpicking a year’s work.
In Conversation with Frozen Light's Lucy Garland
12.9.20 | Artist Insight | Interview
In February, Festival Assistants Abbie and Robbie spoke to Frozen Light’s Lucy Garland about their 2020 Festival co-commission, Fire Songs. Although the show’s debut has been delayed due to the COVID outbreak, we thought this conversation about sensory performance, learning from PMLD audiences and the future of accessible theatre was well worth repeating.
Wish You Were Here
3.8.20 | Staff Insight | Creative Writing
Each year, the Festival recruits two Volunteers Coordinators to help organise our team of 140+ volunteers. However, for 2020 Volunteers Coordinator Georgia Rees Lang, the Festival’s cancellation left more than a hole in her May to-do list. In this letter, she reflects on a lost love in an ode to the Festival That Never Was…
Masthead image: Snarky Puppy © JMA Photography