This May, five Citz Members are supporting anti-racist theatre company, The Upsetters, to stage the brilliant Dismissed by Daniel Rusteau at Soho Theatre. Members have been recruited through our Citz Futures Traineeship programme, offering paid placements shadowing producing, stage management, directing and sound and lighting design roles.
Citz Futures Traineeships are open to people with experience of homelessness, poverty and inequity, who have not had previous experience in the theatre industry. Since the launch of the scheme last year, trainees have been part of the creative teams on both of Cardboard Citizens’ recent productions – Bangers and Faun. Roles on Dismissed are the first to be offered through a partnership with another company and each trainee receives mentorship and by Cardboard Citizens team through their placements.
Citz trustee and Dismissed Producer Marcus Bernard explains more about the partnership:
Why are programmes like Citz Futures so important?
Having previously experienced street homelessness, and not beginning to work in the industry until I was in my 30s, I understand that people sometimes take non-linear paths in life. Programmes like Citz Futures give people with diverse and varied life experiences the opportunity to learn from but also to pass on knowledge to others. I think it’s not just important for the trainees but vital for the overall health and progress for the theatre industry as a whole.
What have the Citz Futures trainees brought to the rehearsal room?
Although their roles have been mostly observational, the Associate Trainees have added a palpable energy to the room as well as sharing insights and thoughts which have been key in understanding and developing the play.
Dismissed runs from 16 May to 3 June, tickets are available from Soho Theatre website.
Citz Futures Traineeships are supported by Foyle Foundation and Societe Generale UK Foundation.
