The Ambassador Theatre Group: Press: Press Releases
Press Releases
Issued : 24 January 2007
New Wimbledon Studio is proud to announce that Zoe Waterman is the first recipient of its Emerging Directors Award.
Zoe has succeeded over an impressive number of high quality proposals with her project Alexei Arbuzov’s THE PROMISE, adapted by Nick Dear from a translation by Ariadne Nicolaeff, which will premiere at New Wimbledon Studio on Wednesday 14 March.
The Emerging Directors Award, in association with Arts Council England, aims to give one aspiring director the challenging opportunity to assemble a cast and direct a two-week production in a professional venue. New Wimbledon Studio invited proposals from new and emerging directors last year and received an overwhelming response.
Zoe, aged 24, grew up in Chiswick and studied the MFA Theatre Directing course at Birbeck College, University of London. Previous direction includes work for the Nottingham Playhouse and Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
THE PROMISE is an intimate, humorous and engaging story of love, friendship and human strength. Set in Leningrad in 1942, three teenagers who have lost everyone and everything seek refuge in an abandoned apartment. As the war rages, they battle to remain human in the face of the destruction around them. In its aftermath, they attempt to piece together their lives and to believe the promise of a brighter future and a better life…
Over the last 10 years, New Wimbledon Studio has established itself as a venue for innovative and dynamic small-scale theatre. The Studio has encouraged ongoing relationships with a number of acclaimed theatre companies, including Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Leicester Haymarket and Yellow Earth.
Karin Gartzke, Chief Executive, New Wimbledon Theatre & Studio, said:
“We are delighted to announce that Zoe has been selected for our first ever Emerging Directors Award. It was her wonderful choice of play, clear ideas and extensive research which set her proposal apart from the other short-listed applicants. This Arts Council initiative enables us to cultivate new directors, offering our experience and professional support.”
Zoe Waterman, Emerging Director, said:
“This is such an exciting and unique opportunity and a really important step in my career. To have a showcase in London with a substantial run and to be treated as a professional incoming director, receiving support from the venue, is truly invaluable.”
Performance times and booking information:
Dates: Wednesday 14 – Saturday 24 March
Performances every night (except Sun) at 7.45pm.
Matinee performances on Sat 17 and Sat 24 at 3pm and Thurs 22 at 2pm.
Tickets: Mon – Thurs and all mats £10 (£8.50 concessions). Fri & Sat eves £12 (£10).
Post-show talks: Mon 19 (with cast) and Wed 21 (with director and designer).
Box Office: 0870 060 6646. On-line: www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk
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Press Night: Thursday 15 Match, 7.45pm
For more information, please contact Katie Anstey, Marketing & Press Assistant, New Wimbledon Studio on 020 8545 7915 or email: katieanstey@theambassadors.com