CITIZENS THEATRE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR BIGGEST COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE PROJECT TO DATE

14 March 2014 – For immediate release

The Citizens Theatre is looking for 150 performers from all walks of life for its Festival 2014 event On Common Ground, taking place in the Gorbals Rose Garden from 25 – 31 July and created in partnership with Debajehmujig First Nation Storytellers from Canada.  The theatre is holding two information days on 22 & 24 March where volunteers can find out more about how to get involved.

Enthusiastic, passionate people are invited to help create an outdoor spectacle telling a story of community, family and the natural world through song, story-telling, drama and music. Whether participants love taking to the stage, or have never performed before, there will be an opportunity to take part. Rehearsals will begin in April, with the number of rehearsals increasing from early June.

Music for the show will be provided by the On Common Ground Orchestra. Musicians who play folk, rock, indie, classical, bhangra or any other style are invited to join the band. There will be an initial week of rehearsals from 14 – 18 April, with weekly rehearsals from Monday 28 April. The On Common Ground Orchestra will join the On Common Ground performers in rehearsals from early July.
For those who don’t want to perform, but would still like to be involved, the theatre is also looking for volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly. These volunteers might be a friendly face for audiences arriving at the Citizens for On Common Ground, or a guide as the audience makes its way to the Rose Garden. They might also lend a hand getting the garden ready and looking its best. The theatre is also interested in hearing from those with skills as a photographer or filmmaker who are interested in helping to help document this unique event for the Gorbals.

In total 150 performers, in addition to volunteers and musicians, will join Debajehmujig in five celebratory outdoor performances taking place as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. Debajehmujig are First Nation Storytellers from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island, Canada. They will travel to Glasgow to share their unique world view and the similarities between the cultures of the two Commonwealth countries.

The two information sessions on Sat 22 March and Mon 24 March will give an opportunity to hear more about the project, talk to theatre staff and ask questions and find out more about the ways to get involved. To register, visit the Citizens’ website citz.co.uk.

-ENDS-

For more information, interviews and images please contact Keren Nicol, Senior Marketing & Press Officer.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 0141 418 6233.

LISTINGS
ON COMMON GROUND

Dates: Fri 25, Sat 26, Tue 29, Wed 30 and Thu 31 July 2014
Times: Citizens Theatre foyer open from 6.30pm. Audiences should assemble at the theatre, ready to promenade to the Gorbals Rose Garden from 7.30pm
Tickets: Tickets will be free, but should be booked in advance. Further information about tickets will be released in April 2014.

NOTES TO EDITORS
CITIZENS LEARNING TEAM

The Citizens Theatre’s Learning team has an international reputation for excellence and in the last decade have successfully managed over 1,000 small, medium and large-scale projects working with a wide range of community groups in Glasgow and further afield. The team’s work encompasses drama classes for children, adults and those with additional learning needs; community productions; workshops, projects and professional development training for teachers and drama practitioners; play-reading sessions; Citizens Theatre Young Co.; post-show discussions and online resources, and places particular emphasis on work with marginalised groups and disadvantaged communities

On Common Ground will bring together many of the groups and organisations with whom the Citizens’ Learning Team work closely such as Bridging the Gap, Scottish Refugee Council, Turning Point Scotland, Gorbals-based choirs Givin’ it Laldie and Recovery Groups. Many of the participants will have been homeless, had addiction issues or come from challenging environments. 
citz.co.uk/take_part

DEBAHJEHMUJIG STORYTELLERS
After several seasons of project-based theatre work, Debajehmujig Theatre Group was founded by Sjirley Cheechoo, Blake Debassige and a group of like minded colleagues in the summer of 1984 in West Bay, (M’Chigeeng First Nation) Manitoulin Island, Ontario. The company was established so that Aboriginal youth would see their own lives and their own stories reflected on stage. Debajehmujig was incorporated under Provincial Charter in 1986 and in 1989 moved to Wikiwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Debajehmujig was the first and remains the only theatre company located on an Indian Reserve. In 1999, in the 25th year of operation, the company expanded with the opening of the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in the neighbouring community of Manitowaning – a 15,000 square foot multi-disciplinary creation, production and training centre.
http://www.debaj.ca


Festival 2014

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme launched in July 2013 and is a national celebration with two strands: Culture 2014 and Festival 2014.

Culture 2014 is an unprecedented national programme of extraordinary new work by world-leading and emerging Scottish and international artists. It will be intimate and epic, intense and life-affirming. Stories will be told of individual lives and communities, special places and moments in time. These come together in one programme, creating a journey throughout Scotland that frames and celebrates the Games.

Festival 2014 is a massive Games-time celebration in Glasgow running alongside the sporting action, transforming the city from 19 July to 3 August with an invigorating mix of entertainment, culture and enjoyment filling the streets, spaces and stages of Glasgow.

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a opportunity for the whole of Scotland to get involved in the Games. From grassroots celebrations to large scale projects: the aim is for every community in Glasgow and Scotland to celebrate and benefit from this historic event.

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland.
www.glasgow2014.com/culture

Return to Press