Arts Council 27 - Phil Fixing
Information page for Funders
Community Engagement Programme
Structure
All Community Casts work rehearse with our Community Cast Director: London: Rosie Ward / Kent: Ursula Early).
During workshops & rehearsals, Community Casts are taught their content within the production, as well as creating a unique group piece using a Shakespeare sonnet. In a dress rehearsal of their sections, they are integrated with the professional cast. They then perform in the shows at their local venues.
They will be:
1. Featured in opening shipwreck movement sequence, final reveal, medley & finale
2. Integrated into Orsino & Olivia’s households
3. With participants allocated lines including officers, sailors, servants
4. Create a Response Piece: utilising a Shakespeare Sonnet, performed post-interval at Twelfth Night
This is a tried and tested formula - the Community Cast Director is one of the Co-Artistic Directors, which:
- sets the tone/importance of the Community Cast from the offset
- Experienced Community Director works with the Director to ensure the Community Cast elements are standalone sections which can be easily replicated & taught to ALL community casts; and removed/amended for non-Community Cast performances throughout the tour
- Creates unique experience for Cast and Community to truly integrate, connect and learn.
Walthamstow Community Cast Provisional Schedule 2027
Rehearsal Schedule:
Community Ensemble Workshop with Community Cast Director: Higham Hill Hub , 10:30am (15-May)
3 x rehearsal with Community Cast Director, 9:30-12:30pm / 6:30pm - 9:30pm Higham Hill Hub (22/26/29 May)
Dress Rehearsal with Cast, 6:30pm - 9:30pm Higham Hill Hub (02-Jun)
Performance Schedule at Higham Hill Hub 03-04 Jun
x 3 Performances
Friday 7:30pm
Saturday 3pm & 7:30pm
(Required 60 mins prior to show)
Performance Schedule at Highams Park 05 Jun
x 1 Performances
Sunday 3pm
(Required 60 mins prior to show)
Performance Schedule at Lloyd Park 17-20 Jun
x 5 Performances
Thu/Fri 7:30pm
Saturday 3pm & 7pm
Sunday 3pm
(Required 60 mins prior to show)
Newham Community Cast Provisional Schedule 2027
Rehearsal Schedule:
1 x Saturday rehearsal with Community Cast director, 10:00 – 1pm Given Wilson Institute, St Mary's road, E13 9AE (19-Jun)
1 x Evening rehearsal, 6:30pm - 9:30pm St Mary's Church Hall, East Ham (22-Jun)
Performance Schedule at Central Park 23-24 Jun
x 2 Performances
7pm
Wednesday 7pm
Canterbury Community Cast Provisional Schedule 2027
Rehearsal Schedule:
1 x Saturday rehearsal/workshop, 10:00 – 2pm Canterbury Library (7th Aug)
1 x Evening rehearsal, 6:30pm - 9pm Canterbury Library (Mon 17th Aug)
Performance Schedule at Westgate Gardens, in partnership with Canterbury Council,
x 1 Performances (Sunday 22nd Aug)
Sunday 3pm
Thanet Community Cast - Provisional Schedule
1 x Saturday rehearsal, 26-Jun: 10:00 – 1pm: Pierremont Hall (offered in-kind by Broadstairs Town Council) - with the Kent based role-share actors and Community Director
1 x Evening rehearsal, 6:30pm - 9:30pm 30-Jun: Pierremont Hall (offered in-kind by Broadstairs Town Council) - with the Kent based role-share actors and Community Director
1 x rehearsal with professional cast on 02-Jul (1st show day) on-site at Broadstairs Bandstand 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Performance Schedule 02-Jul to 04-Jul
x 4 Performances
Friday 02 July 7pm -Broadstairs Bandstand
Saturday 03 July 3pm & 7pm - Ellington Park
Sunday 04 July 3pm - Cotton Powell Museum, Quex Park
Thanet Community Cast Provisional Schedule 2027
Rehearsal Schedule:
2 x Saturday rehearsal with Community Cast director, 10:00 – 2pm Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs (19th & 26th June)
3 x Evening rehearsal, 6:30pm - 9:30pm St Mary's Church Hall, East Ham (22nd, 29th June & 6th July)
Performance Schedule
x 2 Performances
Friday 2nd July 7pm - Broadstairs Bandstand
Saturday 3rd July 3pm & 7.30pm - Ellington Park
Community Cast Previous Participant Feedback
Community Cast Sonnet Rehearsal
Community Cast Feedback & Legacy
Community Cast Alumni
2022-2025 Zora Duric-Speare became of 2026 Apprentice Actor, completed studies at Bodens Performing Arts College & starting drama school applications - ongoing employment with ELSF partner organisations
2022 Tasmiyah Rahman joined NYT Rep Company
2022 Caitlin Stevenson became our 2023 Apprentice Actor, now studying at LAMDA
2025 Feedback, Michelle, age 54
"I got to meet new people, do something fantastic and out of my comfort zone, it has allowed me to kick start my acting career, which is something I have wanted to do but did not know how to get into, I have learnt the practise does make perfect in regards to learning my lines, enjoyed working with a very diverse team"
2023 Feedback, Greg Madden & Ruby Madden (father/daughter)
"Hi Rosie and Ursula, just a quick note to say thank you for welcoming Ruby and I into the show. It was a great experience for us both. Please pass on our thanks to all the cast and crew. It was a genuine privilege to watch you all work and to see the life affirming impact your performances had on the audiences time after time. Thank you. All the best."
Partners to support SEN/Disabled Community Participants
Kent Partners
Apprentice & Work Experience Scheme
1 Apprentice Actor engaged in ELSF's 2027 Summer professional tour of 'Twelfth Night'
East London Shakespeare Festival will engage 1 local young actor (Age 18-24) who have aspirations to audition for drama school and/or pursue acting professionally.
Priority for these roles will be given to participants (18yrs+) who are members of Young Company/Community Cast Alumni, who will be invited to audition
They will be full cast members and rehearse alongside the professional cast (25hrs p/w), obtaining a professional credit - please see dates below.
They will multi-role Valentine & Fabian.
ELSF will provide four sessions of free tutoring/mentoring/training/audition prep to support their aspirations i.e. applying/auditioning to drama school, securing an agent, professional auditions.
Subject to funding: Statutory Apprentice rate + travel expenses
2 x Stage Management & Theatre Production Apprentice - 1 in Kent, 1 in London, engaged in ELSF's 2027 Summer professional tour of 'Twelfth Night'
East London Shakespeare Festival will engage 2 local young people (Age 18-25) who have aspirations to pursue a career in Stage Management /Theatre Company Management
They will be full company member, rehearsing and touring with professional cast & creatives (25hrs p/w), obtaining a professional credit - please see dates below.
ELSF will provide four sessions of free tutoring/mentoring/training/audition prep to support their aspirations i.e. applying for drama school / securing work / professional connections
Subject to funding: Statutory Apprentice rate + travel expenses
Work Experience
ELSF currently works closely with Big Creative, Bodens, PinPoint Education, Creative Catalyst, Looping the Loop, Inspiration Creative and Local councils (LBWF, Newham, Hackney and Thanet) to offer work experience opportunities for young people, which have included:
1 week work experience 'As You Like It' - theatre production, front of house, stage management, audience monitoring & social media
Content creating & social media marketing for 'As You Like It 2025'
Interviewing Cast & Creative Team ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ 2021
Rehearsal photographs, social media and video ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ 2021 & ‘Twelfth Night 2022’ & 'Romeo & Juliet 2023', 'Much Ado About Nothing 2024'
Performance Photography ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ 2021
Shadowing Musical director ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ 2021
Shadowing Director 'Much Ado About Nothing 2024'
Front of House ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ 2021 & ‘Twelfth Night 2022', 'Romeo & Juliet 2023', 'Much Ado About Nothing 2024'; 'As You Like It 2025'
2 x 6 month Kickstart Placements (1 x Community Engagement assistant, 1 x Production Assistant) ‘Twelfth Night 2022’
Work alongside professional creative team and cast
Gain professional credit, paid at statutory apprentice rates
Mentoring from experienced team, and creative partners
Apprentice Legacy
Apprentice Feedback
Volunteer Usher Scheme
We use a team of Volunteer Ushers at all our shows.
Ushers help during arrival & departure of the audience & the interval, at our performances in local parks. Travel expenses are offered for ushers.
Meet the cast, get a behind the scene glimpse at a professional show & enjoy the performance for free.
Flexible role - volunteers select dates/venues that suit them
Craft Workshops for Children
ELSF run pre-show craft workshops for 4-11 year olds, facilitated by cast members.
These can be booked when booking tickets.
Engaging children and families
Engaging young audiences and an opportunity to meet the cast
BSL Shows, Summer Tour 2027
Sat 20 Jun - Fellowship Square, E17 4PP
Wed 23 & Thu 24 Jun - Central Park, 3AJ
Sat 03 Jul, Ellington Park, CT11
Following BSL shows in London (2025) and Kent (2026), we would like to build on our accessible programme and increase the options of BSL shows.
Our London shows will be interpreted by Becky Barry (RSC), who specialised in integrated BSL.
BSL 2025
Outdoor Schools Matinee, Summer Tour 2027
Fri 18 Jun, 12:30-2:30pm
Fellowship Square, E17 4PP
Thu 24 Jun, 12:30-2:30pm
Central Park, 3AJ
Thu 01 Jul, 12:30-2:30pm
Ellington Park, CT11
Fri 02 Jul, 12:30-2:30pm
Broadstairs Bandstand, CT10
We offer Schools Matinees at some of our beautiful, outdoor venues, giving local schools and students a unique opportunity to experience outdoor Shakespeare on their doorstep.
The show includes a 15-minute pre-show group workshop run by the members of the cast, to introduce the characters and themes to the students. The play runs for 90-mins and is a modern & fun production featuring music & movement.
The workshop & play is suitable for KS2 – 5
We want to make these shows as accessible as possible and therefore are offering tickets at the heavily discounted price of £4.00 per student (full price children’s tickets are £9+)
Testimonials
"Really appreciated the good communication during the process of booking the tickets and the warm welcome when we arrived - it was particularly valuable for the children to interact with the performers before the show and during the interval as this helped them to engage with the characters during the performance. The modern music, props and engaging acting really helped to keep them following. Thank you!" Scott Wilkie Primary School, Newham, As You Like It 2025
“Thank you for the amazing performance of Romeo and Juliet. My year 6 group thoroughly enjoyed the production and we were so happy that we were able to see something so local (we walked to the town hall).. it was also wonderful that the weather co-operated!
We are a school in an area of high deprivation and we would not be able to afford to pay for 90 children to attend a play in London. Thanks to your supportive costing structure, we were able to engage 90 children in a fantastic production! This was an event that they will remember for years to come. Not only that, it will embed knowledge and build confidence when speaking about Shakespeare in Secondary School. You make Shakespeare accessible for all!!”
Student Feedback
Core Team 2027
Environmental Commitment 2027
We would continue our successful collaboration with designer, Jamie Wheeler, who designed our 2026 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, making all props and costumes from repurposed and recycled materials (see photos below).
Jamie Wheeler Design - A Midsummer Night's Dream 2026
Creative Team 2027
Full Tour
Not fully funded by ACE - all venues include volunteer ushers, apprentices, craft workshops
Venues with info symbol include elements highlighted in application, hover over to see details
04-06 June
Higham Hill Hub
06 June
Highams Park
10 June
Valentines Park
11 June
Hoxton Community Gardens
12 June
Wanstead Park Temple
13 June
Leyton Jubilee Park (in partnership with Kukoolala Cafe)
17-20 June
Lloyd Park
23-24 June
Central Park
25 June
Springfield Park
26 June
Royal Observatory Greenwich
27 June
Downhills Park
01 July, 03 July
Ellington Park, Kent
02-July
Broadstairs Bandstand, Kent
04 July
Cotton Powell Museum, Quex Park, Kent
07-08 July
Lauderdale House
09 July
Priory Park
10 July
Crystal Palace Concert Platform
11 July
Brockwell Park
14-July
Broomfield Park
15 July
Gunnersbury Park
16-18 July
Clissold Park
22 Aug
Big Penny Social
21 Aug
Langthorne Park Amphitheatre
19 August
Betteshanger Park, Kent
20 August
Oval Margate, Kent
21 August
Strode Park, Kent
22 August
Westaget Gardens, Kent
Marketing
Through previous sold-out projects, ELSF have a proven local marketing and outreach strategy in place (ELSF sold out all venues/shows during their 2021 season and Fellowship Square performances in 2022-4):
Collaborate with Parters to market/promote project and participatory opportunities to local residents
ELSF has established a strong SM following through previous projects and will run an active campaign on Twitter/Insta/Facebook
ELSF is member of 20+ local SM groups (i.e. Newham Community, Newham Residents Community Group, Bromley Borough, Haringey Friends of Parks).
E-Flyers/ticket links will be shared/posted
Partner organisations have committed online marketing in-kind on their SM platforms to achieve a diverse local participants.
Partners include Newham Council, Applecart Arts, CentrE17, WF Culture team, RAW Academy, Higham Hill Hub, Big Creative, Natural Voices, Leyton Orient, local ward organisations etc
Create engaging Flyers/Promo videos/Banners, using experienced designer Elodie Bass who designed our engaging 2022-4 print
Partner organisation Stow Brothers offered to print flyers & offer online marketing
Our new role of marketing Associate will offer outreach/marketing strategy
Work with professional PR company to contact/invite local/national press to review the show.
An important investment as will help to engage wider audiences for future productions and build ELSF’s brand London/UK wide.
Distribute flyers/posters across wards/local businesses
Confirmed Outreach Partners
Jun - Aug 2025 As You Like it + Community Engagement Programme
Jun - Aug 2024 Much Ado About Nothing + Community Engagement Programme
Performances
Venues
Inc. 7 new venues
Expanded
Newham, Haringey & Bromley
Tickets Sold
3-11 year olds
took part in mask making workshops
1 x School Matinee and Pre-Show workshop
Community Casts
25 local people featured in 14 performances in our Community Casts from Newham & Waltham Forest
Apprentice Actor
now working professionally and employed with ELSF Young Company, UpFront Theatre Company & Act Out Performing Arts
Volunteers
Community & Local Business Partners
Professional Paid Roles
Raised for 2 Charities
ELSF talks Maternity in Arts
Commitment to Diversity
Celebrating, encouraging & promoting diversity is at the heart of ELSF’s core aims & ethos. ELSF is female-led & Co-Artistic Directors are both Freelance mothers to young children.
• ELSF hiring policies in-line with Newham/Haringey/Bromley’s inclusivity & diversity aims
• Job descr. to encourage apps from underrepresented groups
• Accessible venues
• Flexible working (accommodate parents/carers)
• Participants representative of diverse E. London communities
• Inclusive reh. Practices, consulting w/industry experts to ensure supportive environment
• Ongoing evaluation/feedback w/ participants/practitioners, to ensure diversity & inclusivity aims are met & adjusted if necessary
• Aim for all engaged Cast/Creative to be (min.) 50% from underrepresented groups
Track Record, 2021/2/3 Projects:
• Over 50% of creatives engaged by ELSF have identified as LGBTQI+
• All gender-identities auditioned for roles in pro-shows
• Feedback forms cited ‘diverse cast’ as feature of shows
• Cast/Creative team incl: Caribbean British, Middle Eastern, Indian, African West African, Caribbean, Mexican, Barbadian; non-binary, trans, queer
• Reasonable adjustments in place to facilitate working parents, pregnancy & Anxiety, ADHD, ASD, Bipolar
• Comm. Cast members from diverse backgrounds & additional needs: Autism, Tourettes, alcohol dependence
We offer Schools Matinees at some of our beautiful, outdoor venues, giving local schools and students a unique opportunity to experience outdoor Shakespeare on their doorstep.
The show includes a 15-minute pre-show group workshop run by the members of the cast, to introduce the characters and themes to the students. The play runs for 90-mins and is a modern & fun production featuring music & movement.
The workshop & play is suitable for KS2 – 5
We want to make these shows as accessible as possible and therefore are offering tickets at the heavily discounted price of £4.00 per student (full price children’s tickets are £9+)