FREE online training, masterclasses, workshops and Q&A’s are now available to all professional and aspiring performers.
Launched by casting directors Pearson Casting, the Collective Creative Initiative (CCI) is bringing performers and industry experts together while they are unable to work due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
And since its launch in June more than 50,000 hours of classes have already been viewed while almost 4,000 people have signed up to the initiative’s dedicated YouTube channel.
The simple concept, fully funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, provides up to six hours of classes a day streamed five days a week on YouTube, and features workshops, industry Q&A’s and masterclasses for aspiring performers and those already working in the theatre, arts and entertainment industry.
The whole programme is delivered by West End and industry experts across theatre, TV, film, legal, accountancy and mental health.
Classes range from acting advice and tips, singing workshops, dance and exercise, to legal issues, accountancy and wellbeing. An online library of the classes is available for one month after broadcast and currently includes more than a hundred hours of sessions ranging from Writing a Solo Show, Looking at Performance in Shakespeare, Guided Meditation and Essential Accountancy, to Contemporary Dance Improvisation, Film, Commercial and TV Casting, Vocal Warm-Up sessions and dozens of Q&A’s.
Innovate UK has initially funded CCI for six months until December and James and partner Rosie are now urging performers aged from four to 104 to benefit from the classes as they look at plans to expand the programme into 2021.
And with celebrated choreographer and legend of British Theatre and TV, Arlene Phillips CBE, writer and composer Toby Marlow and writer and director Lucy Moss of Marlow and Moss, creators of SIX The Musical, as official Patrons, CCI has received an industry seal of approval.
CCI online classes are updated weekly and available via YouTube here. To find out more about CCI visit www.collectivecreativeinitiative.co.uk