Exciting Platfform update!

Theatr Iolo are pleased to share the names of the artists who will be working with us and partner venues in the third year of Theatr Iolo’s artist development programme Platfform.

There are three residencies in the mix in 2018, building on existing relationships and creating new partnerships that will nurture and support artists in their exploration of creating new work for and with children and young people. The emphasis this year is on making work with and for families and the three lucky artists are Gavin Porter, Elgan Rhys and The Jones Collective.

Gavin Porter, a filmmaker and theatre maker will be resident at The Riverfront, Newport. Gavin worked for National Theatre Wales leading on the Big Democracy Project and he also worked in various freelance roles, including as an Engagement Artist and Theatre Director.

Olivia Harris, Creative Producer at The Riverfront said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Gavin Porter to The Riverfront and Newport as part of the Platfform project.  He is a fascinating artist with a strong and active community spirit and we’re looking forward to supporting him to bring this to bear, working with families and exploring new ideas both out in community and at The Riverfront.”

At The Welfare, Ystradgynlais in it’s third year as a Platfform venue partner, we are thrilled  to announce that The Jones Collective will be taking up residence. The company is made up of designer Buddug James Jones and writer/director Jesse Briton. The collective work across art forms using real life stories, events and people to explore contemporary social issues. Their work draws inspiration from people and communities they meet, with a particular interest in working rurally to draw inspiration from the landscape and it's people.

Pontio, Bangor is a brand new addition to the Platfform family this year also. This new partnership has been designed specifically to support artists who are interested in making Welsh language or bilingual work with and for families. This residency is well under way with artist Elgan Rhys exploring the importance play has in the lives of children and adults alike,  celebrating the complexities of the how, where, why and with who of play in our ever-busy world. Elgan is a bilingual performer, writer and creator and in his work with children he hopes to inspire fun and play, to build confidence and to ignite children's imaginations in a collaborative process as he develops original theatre for a family audience.

Pontio’s Artistic Director Elena ap Robert explained, “The Platfform concept offers a unique opportunity to create a three way partnership - between artist, production company and venue - to create new work in the Welsh language for children between 4-7 years old and their families - something close to our heart here at Pontio. We look forward to seeing Elgan’s ideas flourish into a new production idea over the next few months”

Also new to the Platfform team is Theatr Iolo’s Artist Development Producer Megan Childs, who will be working with all of these amazing artists and venues who share Theatr Iolo’s zeal for the creation of new work rooted in the communities from where current and new young audience members come from.