curve to host national student drama festival 2019

Leicester’s Curve theatre has partnered with the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF) to host this year’s event in April.

The NSDF is an annual festival for young people who are passionate about making, watching and talking about theatre. The festival gives people between the ages of 16 and 25 the opportunity to showcase their work, create, learn and try something new. NSDF counts actors Ruth Wilson, Meera Syal and Pete Postlethwaite amongst its alumni, as well as Director Sir Michael Boyd and theatre critic Michael Billington.

Throughout the week, young companies and artists from around the UK will present their work and participate in a programme of workshops, discussions and events. The festival also gives young people the opportunity to take part in Technical Management and write for the NSDF’s Noises Off magazine.

This year’s festival will take place at Curve in Leicester from Sat 13 Apr to Fri 19 Apr. Curve, a registered charity with a commitment to developing and nurturing artistic talent, has joined forces with the NSDF, with all activity taking place within the theatre’s building.

In a joint statement, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with NSDF on this year’s festival. At Curve, we are committed to developing the talents and skills of young people from all backgrounds and we are thrilled the team at NSDF once again chose our theatre and our terrific city to host their annual festival. Now more than ever we need to provide young people with platforms and forums to develop skills, showcase talent and discover the voices – NSDF is a leader in our sector in doing just that and we very much look forward to welcoming everyone to Leicester this April.”

Speaking about the partnership, James Phillips, Guest Director at NSDF said:

“I’m thrilled that NSDF is partnering with Curve, a brilliant and innovative theatre and one which we know well is committed to expanding opportunity and access for young people from every part of society. Personally it’s a huge pleasure to get a chance to work with my friend Nikolai Foster again, and I know for our students it will be an incredible experience to spend a week in one of the most exciting theatres in the UK. Together NSDF and Curve will put forward a bold, brilliant week showcasing the finest young talent in the country, bring some of the UK’s leading practitioners to Leicester to run workshops and masterclasses and discover the next generation of artistic leaders.”

For more information on NSDF 19, visit www.nsdf.org.uk