London work opportunities with Freshwater – Autumn 2016
DRAMA – Two-person History shows
We are looking for performers with a demonstrable commitment to working with young people and
who fully appreciate the importance of using drama as an educational tool.
Person Profile
 Actors who already have considerable experience performing to and with large groups of 100+
primary school children, aged from 7 to 11.
 Must be a strong character actor with ability to play multiple roles convincingly and with
differentiation.
 As the shows are highly interactive and involve children taking part throughout, we require
performers to be confident working in a facilitator-style, directive role with children.
 As we also offer History Days, which include workshops to accompany the shows, experience of
organising and single-handedly leading groups of primary school children, aged from 7 to 11.
 Ability to work closely, collaboratively and supportively with other members of the show team
and able to adapt to perform alongside different actors.
 Reliable, efficient, diligent with timekeeping and a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
 Aged 25 or over, hold a full clean driving licence and have experience of driving within Central
and Greater London.
 Confident in journey planning and able to take the navigator role if not driving.
 Willingness and capability to make minor ‘on the road’ repairs to props and costumes.
 An excellent communicator, particularly when liaising with the Freshwater team and school
personnel.
 Preferably be based in East London as all journeys to schools start from the show van’s base in
Hackney.
Although we always insist on a member of the school’s staff being present during shows, we require all
performers to have a recent enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) check. We can assist in obtaining one but
practitioners must cover the cost. We cannot offer you work until the check is completed.
Availability
After a short period of rehearsal and further to observing the shows live in school, performers will
gradually be allocated bookings to work alongside an experienced member of the show team for a
probationary period. Realistically it may take half a term or more before you are fully trained up and
able to go out regularly for Freshwater.
We require you to have at least 2 full days available per week. Full days mean ones that don’t involve
commitments to after school sessions. The work is especially suitable for people with other flexible
part-time / freelance employment. We are particularly keen to appoint people who are committed to
being based in London for the whole of the next academic year and are not actively seeking touring
work.
Two-person History shows
We have four History shows available on the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Tudors, which are
designed for groups of up to 120 KS2 children (aged between 7-11) at a time. Each one is fully scripted
and is accompanied by a small set, props and costumes which performers are responsible for setting
up upon arrival at schools. Performers will be required to play a variety of different roles and can
expect various costume changes within each show.
Performers travel to schools in our small show van, one person driving and one navigating, from its
base in Hackney, East London. Performers must first travel from their own homes to collect the van
before setting of for schools. A maximum of 2 shows in different schools can be performed per day.
Each show lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Payment
Payment for the first show in a day is £53.50. If two shows are performed in the same school in a day
the payment for the day is £86. If the second show in a day is performed at a different school, and
there is therefore a drive over lunchtime, the payment for the day is £96.
If you drive the van, rather than taking the navigator role, you are able to charge an additional fee of
£4 per day (this is regardless of whether one or two schools are being visited in a day).
There is also a fee of £25 per half day of rehearsals prior to going out with the shows.