Itch + Scratch

🎶TELL ME WHYE🎶 (if you saw the show you’d get it) 🌊Whisks up for the official production shots from @playingupnyt final production of ‘What Lies Above’ created by @_itchscratch 👏🏾 Congratulations for an amazing 3 show run! Created by Itch + Scratch Directors Aaron Gordon Anna Spearpoint Simon Lennon Composer Louisa Beadel Designer Helena Bonner Lighting Designer Nell Golledge Sound Designer Anna Short Voice Coach Marcia Carr Consultant Production Manager Sean Laing Costume Supervisor & Wardrobe Manager Sophie Andrews CSM Lauren Wedgeworth Backstage ASM Bea Hemsley Nina Schreiber-Goderiaux Jessie Potts 📸 @greta_shots The 2023/24 Playing Up Company: The JGA Group; The Leverhulme Trust; Greater London Authority’s New Deal for Young People, supported by the Mayor of London through the Propel collaboration; The Clothworkers’ Foundation; Christina Smith Foundation for the Alan Macdonald Bursaries; Jacqueline Worswick; The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation for The Wingate Tutors; Jack Petchey Foundation and Lucille Graham Trust.

🩷From weeks of coursework, training, rehearsals and an outstanding final performance of ‘What Lies Above’ created by @_itchscratch this years @playingupnyt has come to a close! 🤩 Congratulations to all of the graduates we wish you all the best in the future. This isn’t goodbye but see you later! 🎭 Playing Up is a practical ten-month part-time drama training programme, offering young people aged 19 – 25* who are not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) the opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification in drama. It is a Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma in Theatre Arts accredited through OCN London delivered in partnership with The JGA Group. ✍️ Applications for the next cohort are currently OPEN

🎶ISLE OF WHYEEE 🤩Tonight’s the Opening Night for @playingupnyt final sharing of ‘What Lies Above’ written and directed by @_itchscratch 👽 Meet a few of the local residents of the Isle of Whye, they’re a welcoming bunch and can’t wait to entertain you all tonight 🛸 If you can’t make it tonight the boat to this mystical island will be back: FRI 5 & SAT 6 JULY, 7:30PM at the NYT Workshop Theatre #StoryTellersStartHere #PlayingUp

What Lies Above: a brand new comedy made with the brilliant @playingupnyt , opening at @nationalyouththeatre this July. We’re entering our third week of rehearsals and think you should come. Featuring the boundless talent, authenticity and joy of the @playingupnyt company and it may or may not include aliens… Find us at the Workshop Theatre, 4-6th July - head to @nationalyouththeatre for tickets…. 👽🛸💥 . . . #nytplayingup #nationalyouththeatre #youngtalent #newwriting #whatliesabove #londontheatre

🤝 It’s never a bad idea to come and support @playingupnyt & @_itchscratch new production 🛸 ‘What Lies Above’ 📍NYT Workshop Theatre 🗓️ 4 - 6 July 2024 🎟️ Pay What You Decide / £10 🔗in bio When a small, remote island experiences some suspicious activity, word spreads of the unusual events and the City outsiders come calling. In a world where misinformation is rife - Who can we trust? What do we believe? And, ultimately, who is in control? #NYTPlayingUp #nationalyouththeatre #StoryTellersStartHere

🤩When we say #StoryTellersStartHere we mean it! Meet the creative masterminds behind @playingupnyt summer sharing ‘What Lies Above’ and NYT Associate Company @_itchscratch Itch + Scratch are a National Youth Theatre Associate Company, made up of creatives Louisa Beadel, Helena Bonner, Aaron Gordon, Simon Lennon and Anna Spearpoint, who met as part of the 2013 NYT REP Company. 🎥 by @erenkaplan.film 🎟️ link in bio to get your tickets to see ‘What Lies Above’ 👩🏾‍💻Applications to join our next Playing Up Company are open now - link in bio to find out more

WRITING: THE FIRST IDEA - want to know what to expect from this workshop on 22/10? Here’s Anna with a quick teaser

*ONLINE WRITING WORKSHOPS* Making up the last of our Autumn workshops, here are two writing workshops to sink your teeth into… Stuck on that first idea? Need to develop your characters? Look no further👇 *** THE FIRST IDEA How do you know that it's 'the right one'? How do you know it'll work? How do you know where to start when you've got an idea? Run by award-winning playwright and self-professed ideas enthusiast @annaspearpoint this workshop will give you confidence in finding and developing ideas. Including top tips on where to find the first nuggets of an idea, you’ll learn how to take that idea to the first stages of development. *** DEVELOPING CHARACTERS Scripts, whether for stage or screen, live or die by the quality of their characters, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Run by actor and writer @silennon , this workshop will guide you through different techniques to help you create unique characters. By trying out a range of approaches, you’ll be able to find what works for you; how to apply these tools to your creative projects; and walk away with a toolkit of tried and tested methods for creating and deepening your connection to fascinating characters. . To book and for more info, head to our eventbrite page [link in bio] 🍂 . . . #onlineworkshops #onlinecreativeworkshops #writingworkshop #theatreworkshop #tvworkshop #scriptworkshop #theatrecompany

*ONLINE ACTING WORKSHOPS* As part of our Autumn workshop series, join us for not one, but two acting workshops, focussing on approaching text and character creation. Read on for more 👇 *** HOW TO APPROACH TEXT This workshop will be all about finding out what works for you. Working with a range of practical approaches to different genres of text from both stage and screen, you’ll be given a nifty framework from which to jump into a new project feeling confident in approaching the story, characters and the intentions of the writer. *** HOW TO BUILD A CHARACTER This workshop will be all about building a character from scratch. From character physicality, to character psychology and bringing your unique self into every part you play, you’ll be equipped with fresh ways to bring your next character to life. . To book and for more info, head to our eventbrite page [link in bio] 🍂 . *keep your eyes peeled for further workshops announced tomorrow 👀* . . . #actorsworkshop #theatreworkshop #tvandfilmworkshop #theatrecompany #careerinthearts #eventbrite #onlineworkshops #actingworkshops

*ITCH + SCRATCH ONLINE WORKSHOPS* Join us for the first in our Autumn workshop line-up: Career Surgery. In this three hour workshop, you’ll receive practical tools to help you find confidence in what you're bringing to your career. Run by the Itch + Scratch team (Aaron, Anna, Louisa, Simon) it will help demystify a freelance career in theatre, TV and film. With a focus on working as actors, writers, and theatre-makers, we'll take you through exercises to help you find what makes you you - and feel confident planning for your future. For more info and to book, check out our eventbrite page [link in bio] 🍂 . *stay tuned for more workshops announced this weekend* . . . #actorsworkshop #writersworkshop #theatreworkshop #tvandfilmworkshop #theatrecompany #careerinthearts #careersurgery #eventbrite #freelanceartist

And there we have it! The most incredible three weeks with our amazing group at @nationalyouththeatre Epic Stages ‘23 🎉 All absolute stars! Wish we could do it all over again ❤️ #Killville #LockedAndReady

We were thrilled to be involved in Up All Night at @dukeofyorksldn with @nationalyouththeatre , working with the incredibly talented members of NYT. What a night! ✨