Writer for Christmas gig, The Sunday Boys

 

The Sunday Boys are a low voiced, open access LGBTQ+ choir based in the city of Manchester. We are looking for writer to work with the choir to help shape our annual Christmas gig, A Very Queer Christmas. Each year we present a wide array of music and readings that reflect on queer experiences of Christmas. After several years of presenting this gig in various formats this Christmas we will be performing for the second time in the fantastic setting of Manchester Cathedral.

 

We are looking for a writer from any writing discipline (theatre, spoken word, poetry, novel, short stories, etc) who can work with the choir and its Artistic Director, Michael Betteridge, to shape a text that tells a new Christmas story from a queer perspective. This new text (or texts) should be written so they:

 

• Can be delivered simply and effectively in a concert setting, ie without significant technical needs or set/props other than simple PA and simple lighting;

• Can sit happily alongside, and potentially interact with, an eclectic choral repertoire including newly commissioned work, classical work, traditional Christmas music, and non-Christmas popular music;

• Can be performed either: by one professional actor; by a range of non-professional actors (ie members of the choir and guests readers from within the LGBTQ+ community of Greater Manchester) with a wide range of acting experience; or a combination of both one professional actor alongside these non-professionals;

• Can potentially use the space at the Cathedral in an interesting, albeit simple way.

 

We particularly welcome applications from LGBTQ+ voices who are underrepresented within our community and currently underrepresented amongst the choir’s membership including those from the global majority, women, and trans people.

 

We also particularly welcome applications from individuals with a meaningful connection to Greater Manchester.

 

Writers with experience of directing/staging are also particularly welcome.

 

We are currently in the process of preparing an Arts Council England bid and looking for someone to be named on the application. Because this work is currently not guaranteed (although very likely) and we are aware of the constraints on artists’ time, we ask interested writers to fill in this short form telling us about them and their work:

 

Fill in the form here

 

We will potentially invite a handful of artists to a short interview arranged at a mutually convenient time. Fees will be discussed once a writer is chosen in line with industry standards.

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Applications close 9am on Monday 16th May

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