#shereenjasminphillips

[youngvicneighbourhoodtheatre]

New Head of Neighbourhood Theatre - Shereen Jasmin Phillips

In September, Shereen Jasmin Phillips was welcomed as the new Head of Neighbourhood Theatre.  She was introduced to Neighbourhood Theatre members at their quarterly meeting in October.  I met with her to talk in more detail about her plans for Neighbourhood Theatre going forward.

Shereen has worked in a number of different theatres and institutions, including the National Theatre, as well as as a support worker in a hostel, so has experience of marginalised groups both within and outside of an arts context.  The Young Vic is her favourite theatre and, she told NhT members, “we can achieve whatever we want to achieve”.

One of Shereen’s ideas is Neighbourhood Play, which will entail workshops for those aged 55+.  The aim is to create long-lasting relationships with people, who will have the chance to become part of a regular group.  The idea is that participants will see a show at the Young Vic, and the next day will take part in a set of three workshops that will revolve around themes from the play, and movement skills.  The workshops will be facilitated by Movement Director, Corinne Meredith, and will culminate in a ‘soft sharing’.  A taster workshop will take place on 6th December 2018, after participants have seen a performance of Spring Awakening, by Young Vic Unpacked.

Shereen is particularly interested in new writing, and helping to develop this strand of work with NhT.  Neighbourhood Voices will be a year-long programme, meeting once a month, and including an introduction to playwriting, trips to see a range of plays in fringe, regional and West End venues, as well as gig theatre. The idea is to help make people feel connected and supported.  The course will be run by Dramaturg Ola Animashawun, but there will also be visiting playwrights to teach one-off sessions.  Shereen hopes this programme might lead to supporting one emerging writer to write something for the Young Vic.