‘Thank you all for the most inspirational two weeks I have ever experienced!!’ Mark, recent enabler
Are you interested in performing arts? Do you have a skill or enthusiasm that you can pass on? Can you spare a week of your time? The Orpheus enabler scheme is aimed at encouraging disabled and non-disabled people to work together creatively.
The Orpheus Centre offers unique opportunities for students to gain a practical understanding of inclusive arts work. We run a range of courses for young disabled adults in transition, led by highly experienced and well-regarded professional tutors. These courses are supported by volunteers, many of whom offer their skills as part of their career development in inclusive arts practice. Enablers are volunteers who attend our short courses, free of charge, in order to learn new skills and facilitate disabled people to participate in the performing arts by supporting Short Course students and Orpheus students in artistic sessions and during break times. Enablers will have the chance to work with professional tutors and our talented group of students and are entitled to free accommodation, meals and full participation in all the workshops, sessions and performances.Enablers have been involved in performances at the Orpheus Centre, the Royal Opera House, Buckingham Palace and across the UK, so not only is it a fun and inspiring week, it is great experience for your CV.
Courses this term include a percussion week with musicians fro STOMP and the chance to work with Graeae Theatre Company, the UK's leading company for proffesional disabled artists. For details of future short courses click here.
We are currently recruiting enablers for our new Short Courses in the next academic year.
Interested in a hip hop course or worlrld music? Contact our volunteer co-ordinator on 01883 744664 for details.
Over the past few years, we have had excellent feedback on the experiences gained by students who have volunteered:
University of Brighton: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students, opening them up to teaching possibilities outside mainstream education and enriching their professional experience.”
Student: “I feel I have gained invaluable skills and experience. I was able to interact both on a professional and a social level with people with both physical and learning disabilities. I now have a deeper understanding of how to create and be a part of an inclusive environment.”
Student: “I feel invigorated by my time spent at the Orpheus Centre – the students instilled in me a real ‘can do’ attitude – which I hope to hold on to. As an emerging director I will work to ensure there are parts for disabled people in mainstream theatre.”
Student: “This experience has changed my life and confirmed my future career in theatre. The Tutors were amazing.”
For the coming academic year we are looking to open up more opportunities for work placements. We are particularly interested in students looking to develop their skills in drama, music, dance, multimedia, visual arts, sign language, speech and language therapy and technical theatre.
Our courses run in both term-times and holidays; regularly on a specified day of the week as well as in project blocks. We support our volunteers with their lunch and travel expenses and bed and board for people participating in residential projects. We will also offer students allotted time to discuss their particular interest or research area with one of our practitioners.
Students interested in taking up this opportunity should email Sue Mitchell (Volunteer Coordinator) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in the first instance, attaching a CV and indicating their particular area of interest and availability.
