New Views

Write about what switches you on. Try out our online course at: www.new-views.tv

New Views 2012/13 starts September 2012. Sign up to take part here

New Views is the National Theatre's annual playwriting programme for 15-19s. Each year hundreds of students from across the UK learn about playwriting from some of the finest writers in the business and write their own 30 minute plays, with one play chosen to be staged at the NT with a professional cast.

NEW VIEWS 2011/12 WINNING PLAY TO BE PERFORMED IN PARLIAMENT

This year's winning play will be staged in the unique setting of Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament on 11 July 2012 - the first recorded instance of a play being staged in the space. You can also see the play at The Pop-up Workshop as part of National Theatre Inside Out on the South Bank on 12 and 13 July.

GET INVOLVED IN NEW VIEWS 2012/13

Join the network of student groups in schools and colleges across the UK to complete the New Views online course, take part in writing workshops and use theatre to explore the issues and ideas that matter.

The online course, written by playwright Jemma Kennedy, is accessible to everyone, but participating schools and colleges have the unique benefit from in-school workshops with professional writers, tickets to NT productions or NT Live broadcasts, CPD for teachers, support from NT Learning and entry into the New Views playwriting competition.

New Views runs from September to July and has three core components:

WORK WITH THE PROFESSIONALS
Students follow our online course in school-based writing groups; see NT productions - in London or in local cinemas via National Theatre Live - and take part in workshops with professional writers (October 2012-March 2013).

WRITE
Students write half-hour plays about the real-life issues that matter to them (December 2012 - April 2013), stage readings of their work in school and have a chance to see their play performed by National Theatre actors in the Houses of Parliament (July 2013).

TRAIN
Teachers visit the NT for training and support to establish thriving extra-curricular writing groups in school or college (September 2012).

Who can take part?

• New Views will work with a total of 100 schools and colleges from around the UK
• Any school can apply to take part in the programme.  We particularly welcome applications from schools in areas of high social deprivation.
• Each school will establish a student group of 5-10 students - but talk to us if you're not sure if you'll be able to get as many as that or if you have more students keen to take part
• The programme is aimed at Yrs11-13 although younger students may take part at the discretion of individual schools.

What will students gain from the New Views programme?
Through taking part in the New Views programme students will have a unique and exciting opportunity to:

• Explore their talent, sharpen their approach to research, as well as their ability to develop and articulate ideas on key ethical questions and dilemmas
• Develop a sense of connection to the arts, a lifelong enthusiasm for theatre and an understanding of the power of theatre to engage audiences in serious debate
• Develop their transferable skills for employment and further study including self-management; team working; communication; application of literacy; problem solving; independence and critical engagement with subject material

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2012/13 PROGRAMME ARE OPEN NOW

If you are a teacher interested in signing up, please complete an application form here

If you have any questions about taking part, please contact New Views Programme Manager Mark Londesborough on 020 7452 3388 or email newviews@nationaltheatre.org.uk