Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres have announced that the University will be the theatres’ Principal Partner for the next three years. The deal strengthens existing ties between the two organisations, providing further opportunities for LJMU students to learn from industry experts and enjoy enhanced career development opportunities.
LJMU will be Principal Partner until April 2017 and the partnership will bring real benefits and opportunities to all students at the University. Those studying drama, creative writing and other degrees linked to the performing arts will enjoy unprecedented access to knowledge and resources available within the theatres.
The University will also be encouraging more students to attend the range of internationally acclaimed theatre created by the theatres, and to really get involved with cultural life in the city; though the partnership goes much deeper than offering discounted tickets to both venues.
Opportunities will include work placements; creative writing students will get valuable feedback from the theatres’ Artistic department plus joint workshops. Career development sessions on arts marketing, journalism and technical theatre will also mean students gain valuable, practical insights into the business beyond performances on stage.
The new partnership builds upon already strong existing ties between the institutions. LJMU holds the Everyman archive; Whitney Suku developed her acting through LJMU’s drama course and Young Everyman/Playhouse (YEP), and playwright Daniel Matthew is an LJMU and Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) writing graduate whose first play, Scrappers, was staged to great acclaim in the Playhouse Studio last year.
The aim of the Principal Partnership is to recognise this complementary talent development and help retain talented individuals in the city beyond their time at University.
Professor Nigel Weatherill, LJMU Vice-Chancellor explained, “Our relationship with the Everyman and Playhouse is important as it will provide new opportunities for students to engage with Liverpool’s exciting cultural sector, opening hearts and minds to new experiences and ways of thinking. By creating a talent pipeline for students and graduates wishing to work in the theatre industry that harnesses all the resources and expertise within each institution, we can continue to drive forward exciting new developments in these vitally important regional theatres that make such a significant contribution to national theatre too.”
Deborah Aydon, Everyman and Playhouse Executive Director said, “This Partnership will help us to sustain and develop our acclaimed artistic programme; will allow us to build a strong relationship with the students and staff of LJMU, and will help both the theatres and the university achieve our shared goals for nurturing and retaining talent.”
Young Everyman Playhouse and LJMU alumnus Whitney Suku added, “The Everyman and Playhouse has been a major part of my teenage and adult life, having had the honour of being part of its home grown youth theatre, now known as YEP. After being nurtured by this great establishment for nine years I emerge a better person for it armed with amazing contacts and more importantly life-long friends. I also attended LJMU Drama course which gave me the insight of what life in the real world of work was to be like as well as the skills that will help propel me forward in my chosen career.”