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Walk The Plank, one of the UK’s most successful producers of large scale outdoor theatre and spectacle, in association with Essex County Council and Chelmsford Council, are working together to create Sparks will Fly in Essex, one of the biggest shows of this kind ever staged in the area. Please go to www.sparkswillfly.org.uk  for more information about this ambitious event. As the culmination of two years of development, and linked to the London Olympic Torch Relay’s visit to the county, we are offering 10 Essex Artists (including those who have either lived or trained in the county) the chance to become part of the Walk The Plank team and experience from start to finish, the preparations and machinations of putting on a major outdoor show. We will provide onsite training and workshops from key Artists and production crew on many aspects of the art forms involved, as well as on site practical experience leading up to and including involvement in the show itself.

The whole team will be camping, eating, living and working together on site for the entire period from the first van doors opening to the last one closing and leaving site. This way, the whole week becomes part of the experience and people unfamiliar with working on large scale outdoor projects will see the processes involved from start to finish. The bulk of the finale show itself is already designed, built and structured, but we are hoping that there will be a large part to be played by the Training Camp Artists in the final presentation - whether this is utilising skills you learn along the way or ones you bring along with you. There will be opportunities to learn making skills and be involved in the large scale puppetry within the show.

You will need to bring outdoor clothing suitable for working safely and comfortably in various weather conditions – PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will be provided for anyone requiring it in particular circumstances. Specialist tools will be provided where necessary, but your own basic hand tools such as snips, head torch, pliers, scissors, etc would be good to bring along if you have them.

Working outdoors can be difficult sometimes and everyone should be prepared to work in ways that they may not be used to doing – the most important thing you can bring along is a willingness to learn.

Click here to find out more and register>>