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ABTT Members'  Update,
March 2020

 

Dear Members,

The ABTT recognises the very severe impact that  COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the measures being implemented to deal with it are having on all  our members and supporters. We understand how difficult it will be for individuals, theatres and companies during these exceptional circumstances.  It will be very important that the theatre industry acts as one and in concert to support and care for everyone who contributes to it. The ABTT will do its utmost to work with all other industry organisations with this aim and to serve, support and inform during these onerous times.

For its own operations the ABTT has followed Government guidelines to maintain the health of  colleagues and clients alike and to reduce our exposure and contribution to social contact we have been continuing work as usual but using remote-access.

Our main method of contact is by email: office@abtt.org.uk
For any urgent technical or production enquiries please use the Theatre Safety Helpline: 07917 177 552

We continue to operate as usual at this time and will provide an update if anything changes.

Please see some updates regarding the ABTT Theatre Show, ABTT Training, upcoming online events and relevent resources that may be useful to you.

If you require urgent assistance please go to www.TheatreSupport.info  

If you need to talk so someone about your situation please contact www.TheatreHelpline.org or call 0800 915 4617

ABTT Theatre Show: Update

The ABTT Theatre Show continues to prepare for the successful delivery of the 42nd show on June 10-11 at Alexandra Palace whist keeping a close watching brief on the coronavirus outbreak. At all times, the health and well-being of our exhibitors and visitors will take priority and we will be following advice and guidance from the Government and The London Borough of Haringey, owners of Alexandra Palace.

We shall make a decision on Monday May 3rd whether to go ahead with, or cancel the show. In the event of cancellation, all exhibitor payments will be refunded, and 2020 reservations will be honoured for 2021.

In 2021 the ABTT Theatre Show will be presented on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th June in the West Hall at Alexandra Palace.

Thank you for your understanding in what are very difficult times.

Isobel Hatton
Show Director

ABTT Training: Update

Given the state of uncertainty with Coronavirus – the ABTT has reviewed their training portfolio in April and May 2020. We have cancelled forthcoming training and will review the situation at the end of May – when we very much hope to re-schedule cancelled courses.

Summer School Training is currently still scheduled to take place and we are taking bookings as normal. To review the training we have scheduled please see here.

As mentioned, ABTT Staff are currently continuing to work as usual but using remote-access. 

As such our main method of contact will be email: office@abtt.org.uk Please do get in contact if you have any questions about our training.

 

Given guidance to prevent as much social contact as possible, the ABTT have put together a list of online resources, online events, catch-up seminars and blogs which you can attend or view over the upcoming weeks.
#IsolatedArtists:
Instagram Live Stream Interviews with members of our Industry.

@TomJacksonGreaves
 
To try and combat all things isolating and unsettling during this time, Tom Jackson Greaves has set up a live stream on his Instagram page each day where he will be speaking with artists, directors, designers, technicians, dancers and more. They will be talking about cancelled projects, their stories and their roles in the Industry.

Currently their are interviews scheduled with people in the Industry on Thursday 19th March throughout the day - and he is calling for anyone interested in being interviewed to get in touch! 

If you would like to tune in or get involved, please see below.
TUNE IN OR GET INVOLVED
OISTAT Chat Webinar:
Theatre Culture and Cities Lecture

24th March 2020
10am-10.50am

OISTAT HQ brings the new project ”OISTAT Chat” this year. OISTAT Chat is a webinar on ideas for theatre around the world.

The first episode ”Theatre Culture and Cities”  invites OISTAT President Bert Determann to share his experience of placemaking in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

He will talk about how international collaboration 7 Square Endeavour achieves urban sustainability in an innovative way, how they turn “Schouwburgplein” into a vibrant cultural square and a place for civic engagement.

ABTT Members can join this event for FREE as the ABTT are one of the UK Centres for OISTAT.
JOIN THIS EVENT HERE
Production Managers Forum:
Sustainability in Theatre and Live Events

Available online now!

The Production Managers’ Forum (PMF) is a resource for anyone involved in the production and technical management of theatre or live events.
It enables members to share ideas, information and knowledge, and to connect with each other through the PMF website, social media channels, support hub, newsletters, regular forums and social events.

This event was hosted at the Royal Court Theatre and discussed issues and challenges regarding Sustainability within the Theatre and Live events industries.

The guest chair was Jennifer Taillefer, Production Manager of the Unicorn Theatre who spoke with guest representatives of First Mile Wastage, Society of British Theatre Designers, Sustainability in Production Alliance and Julie Bicycle.

The second panel featured several production and technical managers like Geoff Hense of the Arcola Theatre who have been forging ahead, overcoming the challenges in sustainability within our industry.
WATCH ONLINE HERE
Theatre Project Consultants Archive:
Story of the National Theatre


The National Theatre Archive is a treasure trove of material, covering all of the creative, technical and administrative records of the National Theatre.
Much of this can be accessed online!

The newly catalogued Theatre Project Consultants (TPC) Archive is one of these, which charts the story of the now iconic National Theatre Building.

It is nearly six decades since the National Theatre Company under Sir Laurence Olivier gave their first-ever performance on 22 October 1963. For its first 13 years, the Company worked at the Old Vic Theatre, while waiting for its new home on London’s Southbank to be completed. In 1976, under Peter Hall, the move took place and Denys Lasdun’s National Theatre building was opened by The Queen.

In 1966, Richard Pilbrow, a founder member of the ABTT and a Fellow of the Association as well as founding member of Theatre Project Consultants (TPC), was chosen by Laurence Olivier as full-time theatre consultant for the planning and construction of a new National Theatre building. Through its papers, the newly catalogued TPC collection, tells the story of the journey to get the purpose-built National Theatre building on the Southbank officially opened.

The TPC collection includes letters, memos, reports and various business files containing TPC’s correspondence with the National Theatre, the South Bank Theatre Board, and a multitude of contractors, manufacturers and suppliers. It also contains legal and technical paperwork, operating instructions, manuals and handbooks for stage machinery and many architectural, engineering and other technical drawings and sketches of the National Theatre buildings, it’s stage machinery and electrical and communication systems. Additionally, it includes a selection of press and publications in which articles and interviews of the TPC National Theatre project feature.

EXPLORE THE TPC COLLECTION HERE
At this time of confusion, we would encourage our members to remember that there are plenty of people and organisations to talk to if you are experiencing difficulties in work or at home. It can help to talk to somebody who can provide a listening ear and provide advice about the issues affecting us. 
SOLT and UK Theatre lanch theatresupport.info
 
In light of the closure of many UK theatres due to the Covid-19 virus, leading theatrical charities have come together to centralise information about how and where you can access support if you work in the theatre industry. We are aware that concerns will be around mental heath, finance and more. As such we have collated a list of  useful resources, funding bodies and support for anyone struggling due to the coronavirus situation.

Please choose wisely where you apply, only applying to foundations whose specific remit you meet, as applications are very high at the moment and this will enable us to help as many people as possible during this unprecedented time.

Latest Government Advice can be found here.

Latest on Theatre Advice can be found here.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
THEATREHELPLINE.org:

Theatre Helpline is a free, independent and 100% confidential telephone and email service offering 24/7 support to anyone working in the theatre industry. Trained staff are available 365 days a year to talk with you about a wide range of topics that might be affecting your personal or professional life.
The confidential resource offers support and advice on a range of personal and professional topics, including bullying, physical and mental health, finance, careers and retirement issues. It is open to anyone working in theatre, whether in-house or freelance.

This social media pack will help you spread the word about this service so that anyone working in the industry and in need support can access it, including you.

 
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEATRE HELPLINE HERE
The Theatrical Guild:
 

The Theatrical Guild are a UK charity for backstage and front of house workers, with over 125 years’ experience helping people.

You can talk to them about practical help at any stage of your career – from welfare and debt advice to financial support and counselling.

The Theatrical Guild helps people across the UK to recover from ill health, overcome sudden set-backs, expand their skillsets, or speak with a counsellor. Every application is handled in total confidence and we will never speak to your employer about your circumstances.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TTG HERE
BAPAM:

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is a unique charity set up to help anyone working in live performance to stay healthy.

In addition, the ISM Members Fund may be able to meet the costs of necessary treatment for members unable to cover these themselves.
BAPAM holds free clinics where practitioners can obtain a free consultation with a clinician who has expertise appropriate to those who work in the performing arts.

BAPAMS's clinics are not only held in London but also in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Portsmouth. To book an appointment call 0207 804 844
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BAPAM HERE
UK NAWC (National Arts Wellbeing Collective)

UK NAWC is made up of individuals and organisations who are committed to improve health and well being of people working with or for us in the arts, cultural and heritage employment sectors of the UK.
They are a fantastic resource where you can find guidance and information about health and well-being, services, charities and organisations that can assist you.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UK NAWC HERE
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