We are delighted that through the generous funding provided by the family of the late Bob Carlton, Laura Ryder is the recipient of a JMK Assistant Director Bursary and will be joining the team of Little Red Riding Hood at Birmingham Rep.
Laura is a theatre maker, director and facilitator. Her work centres around collaborative making processes; movement; access; narrative-based theatre; working with young people; and community participation projects. Laura is Lead Artist with B Team and leads two of Derby Theatre’s Youth Theatres. She has worked with Birmingham REP; Hubbub Theatre Company; Omar Khan and Plus One at Derby Theatre.
These bursary awards give emerging directors engaged in with JMK Trust’s National Programme their first step to practical and paid experience by assisting on a production at their local venue. They are unique opportunities which are funded on a case by case basis. The work is designed to prevent talented artists from disengaging with the arts and create a sense of community in a profession which can feel isolating.
Little Red Riding Hood builds on the success of the Rep’s Jack and the Magic Beanstalk (Christmas 2022) and is written by Katherine Chandler and directed by Associate Artist of the Rep, Caroline Wilkes.
Caroline was herself a JMK bursary recipient in 2014, and is a fabulous example of how the early career support that the JMK Trust offers feeds into the continuing contribution it provides for the next generation of theatre-makers.
Caroline has said: “I am delighted that Laura Ryder will be joining me as the JMK assistant director on Little Red Riding Hood at Birmingham Rep followed by a community tour. A decade ago I was very fortunate to be given a JMK assistant director post myself working with Tessa Walker at Birmingham Rep on the main house production of The Mother. The JMK bursary was instrumental in my development as a director and it provided a significant stepping stone for me, opening up many other opportunities.”
Laura will be assisting on the children’s classic fairy tale, which is a Rep Original production and is being created especially for children aged 3 to 6 years old. The show takes place in The Rep’s most intimate performance space, The Door, offering a perfect introduction to theatre and a special experience for young audiences. The production will work with actor-musicians, integrated Makaton and other storytelling techniques to engage and delight our youngest audiences. The production is being made as a Green Book show (baseline standard) in line with the Rep’s sustainability commitments.
Little Red Riding Hood is playing at The Rep from Thursday 7th December 2023 to Saturday 6th January 2024: Little Red Riding Hood | Birmingham Rep (birmingham-rep.co.uk)
