When the Blackbird Sings: Community Chorus Casting

Flexible Times — Whatever time you have, if you think you might enjoy it, please get in touch with one of us and we will make it work for you.

You don’t need to come to all the rehearsals – a couple of sessions would be enough.

We are doing our best to make our sessions as accessible as possible. We can support you with transport costs. We are available to chat about any concerns you might have confidentially. No prior acting experience needed!

We’re looking for community volunteers to become part of our production. Community performers will work alongside our professional company, helping to create the world of the play through movement, presence and atmosphere rather than large scripted roles. Be part of a welcoming, open-access creative process contributing to a unique theatre experience. Whether you have previous theatre experience or are completely new to performance, we’d love to hear from you.

Community performers will take part in a series of rehearsals designed to build confidence, ensemble and performance skills.

Wed, 26 Aug — 6:30–8:30 pm
Sat, 29 Aug — 10:00 am–12:30 pm

Wed, 2 Sept — 6:30–8:30 pm
Sat, 5 Sept — 10:00 am–12:30 pm

Wed, 9 Sept — 6:30–8:30 pm
Sat, 12 Sept — 10:00 am–12:30 pm

Fri, 18 Sept — time tbc
Sat, 19 Sept — time tbc

Tue, 22 Sep — 6:30 pm

For performance times and tickets see:  When the Blackbird Sings — An immersive, eye-opening, heart-stirring journey through time | Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

**You don’t have to be present throughout the whole performance, only for your scene.

With an energetic, brave presence. In the 1910s, the Suffragette movement used protest tactics and a creative publicity campaign to demand women’s right to vote in the UK.  The scene in the play will be about a group of suffragettes protesting on the street. Women including trans women, female-presenting people and non-binary people. All ages.

Non-scripted roles (a group protest scene with chants)

With a calm, determined presence. In the 1960s, nurses from the Windrush Generation played a pivotal role in establishing and sustaining the NHS in Oxfordshire. Answering the government’s call to fill severe post-war labour shortages, these Caribbean pioneers laid the foundation for modern healthcare in the UK.
The scene in the play will be about a group of nurses, mainly from the Caribbean, some from other parts of the world such including South Asia, Europe, and more. Mainly women including trans women, female-presenting people and non-binary people. All ages. There are a few roles for male doctors and porters in the scene.

Non-scripted roles (a group protests scenes as a silent vigil)

To help us create a balanced, inclusive and representative community company, we’ll want to get to know you by asking some questions. These are used to support the casting and planning process and follow Creation’s inclusive approach to community participation.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please do fill in the following google form and someone will be in touch!

Tell your friends, family, pets and barista’s! Spread the news!

We will get back to each enquiry soon! If you’d rather speak on the phone, just give us a quick call on 01865 766266 and we’ll arrange a chat with our team.