Image Description - Little Cog Staging Our Futures, Masterclass programme graphic. A composite image of question marks, pound signs, arrows and a no entry sign, which also includes the words concept, access, ideas, collaboration, hidden stories, budgets, playwriting, directing, theatre making, songwriting, my voice, and support.

Staging Our Futures Masterclass Programme

 In addition to the Staging Our Futures artistic programme, which has seen us commission four new pieces of work at differing stages of development, we are ambitious for disabled artists and want to create the best possible opportunities to come together, to share ideas and to learn together. A major commitment of our Staging Our Futures programme, made possible through the Arts Council Emergency Response Fund, is to ensure disabled artists remain visible, connected and able to practice.

We have created a professional development Staging Our Futures Masterclass Programme, running 10 online Masterclasses for disabled artists in the sector between August and November 2020, with an additional 2 Masterclasses focussing on Disability Equality in Art and Culture aimed at venues and organisations.

We have welcomed a range of accomplished and experienced practitioners from the Disability Arts sector, and beyond, in to Little Cog to design and deliver masterclasses ranging from artform specialisms to business know-how!  We have Garry Robson on Directing, Rosie Jones on Comedy for Disabled Women, Kaite O'Reilly on Playwriting, Cheryl Martin on Making Autobiographical Work Safely, Robyn Keynes on Elements of Producing -  2 sessions: Artists Pitching their Work and all important secrets to Budgeting 101, ESKA looking at the voices and wellbeing, Nicki Miles-Wildin on directing for Zoom, Cheryl Martin on autobiographical work, as well as Disability Equality  masterclasses for the North East theatre sector led by Little Cog’s AD Vici Wreford-Sinnott. 
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Little Cog’s Masterclasses:
​• Will deliver a series of professional and artistic development masterclasses to maintain professional connections, skills, focus, and development for potentially isolated disabled artists.
• Have been identified in communication with disabled artists to create artform specific masterclasses, and themed masterclasses such as professional development, pitching your work, working online and more.
•  Will be delivered online with all access requirements met. Recordings will be available to other disabled artists online. 

​Full online masterclass programme to be announced, please see below for confirmed masterclasses with dates and info:

Upcoming masterclasses:

Voices for Wellbeing Masterclass with ESKA
Thursday 5 November 10:30am-12pm 

Join international artist ESKA for our final Masterclass of the series, for a chance to explore and look after your voice. ESKA has designed and is leading an experimental workshop which aims to explore breathing and vocalising as a means of connecting back to the soul of singing.

[SOLD OUT] Comedy Masterclasses with Rosie Jones
Tuesday 20 October 2020 1:30-3:30pm
Tuesday 10 November 2020 1:30-3:30pm

We are delighted to offer funny disabled women a unique opportunity to take part in two Masterclasses designed and led by the phenomenal comedian and writer Rosie Jones. Please note that participants need to attend both masterclasses.

Previous masterclasses:
Pitching Your Work and Creating a Tour Pack with Robyn Keynes 
Tuesday 25 August 1:30-3:30pm

Experienced Producer and General Manager Robyn Keynes will give you the confidence to pitch your work to venues, festivals and organisations, along with giving you a template tour pack to complete. 
Aimed at disabled artists who are looking to refresh their skills or beginners wanting to understand more about producing their own work.

Directing Masterclass Garry Robson
Tuesday 1 September 1:30-3:30pm 

Join acclaimed director Garry Robson as he gives some tips and advice on directing. He'll guide you through his process and things he's learnt throughout his career. 
This masterclass is aimed at disabled directors who are looking to refresh their skills, or beginners looking to understand more about directing.

Budgeting 101 with Robyn Keynes
Tuesday 8 September 1:30-3:30pm
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Experienced Producer and General Manager Robyn Keynes will talk through the importance of budgets, along with giving you a template budget for your own use. 
Aimed at disabled artists who are looking to refresh their skills or beginners wanting to understand more about budgets.

Disability Equality Masterclasses with Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Tuesday 15 September 1:30-3:30pm
Tuesday 22 September 1:30-3:30pm

Aimed at the North East England arts sector, these online Disability Equality Masterclasses provide a supportive introduction, or refresher, into disability equality for your organisation and how to take up opportunities to work with amazing disabled artists as art and culture moves forward. Led by Little Cog Artistic Director and Equality strategist, Vici Wreford-Sinnott.

Directing & Rehearsing Online Masterclass with Nickie Miles-Wildin
Monday 5 October 1:30-3:30pm 

This masterclass will aim to demystify directing rehearsals and workshop sessions on Zoom and give you real life experience of how to navigate the ever-increasingly digital world.

Telling Your Story Safely Masterclass with Cheryl Martin
Tuesday 6 October 1:30-3:30pm 

Open to all disabled artists interested in how to make your own work. Join Cheryl as she talks about making her own work, using her own life experiences to create plays. This will look at how to safeguard yourself and your stories to create autobiographical work safely.​

Playwriting with Kaite O'Reilly
Tuesday 29 September 2020 1:30-3:30pm
Tuesday 13 October 2020 1:30-3:30pm

Two masterclasses with internationally acclaimed playwright Kaite O'Reilly, giving you the tools to write for performance. Please note that participants need to attend both masterclasses.