Niki News 2003
By Robin Chase, Archive Editor
NIKI WINS A JENNY! --- Congratulations to Niki for winning a Jenny Award for "Best Physical Theatre Production", as voted upon by her peers, for her performances of Heretic at the 2003 Winnipeg Fringe Festival held July 16-27 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jenny Awards are handed out annually by The Jenny Revue, an independent Fringe news/reviews publication that is distributed during the Winnipeg Fringe (but is not affiliated with The Fringe or with any other theatrical organization). Winners are chosen late on the final night of the Winnipeg Fringe during the annual awards party which attracts hundreds of performers and other production-company members. The awards are presented based on audience response. Niki bested six other nominees in her category and received an absolutely overwhelming and deafening response when her nomination was announced - truly an honour to be held in such high regard by one's own peers.
(Posted 28 July 2003)
BRIDGWATER ON BRIDGWATER --- We have launched a new webpage in connection with Niki's appearance in March 2003 in the official opening of The Engine Room, a new community-based film and creative media centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, U.K. operated by Somerset Film & Video Ltd. (SFV). The piece in which Niki participated, entitled Bridgwater On Bridgwater, was a collaboration between her and film-maker Tor Webster. Niki performed live in front of a screen on which Webster's film was projected. Please visit the new Bridgwater On Bridgwater webpage for more details concerning the project, and for more information about SFV and The Engine Room.
(Posted 12 June 2003)
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- Niki would like to express her gratitude and appreciation especially to four organisations which have provided various means of support enabling her to bring Heretic to life, and making it possible for her to present both Heretic and Throw Me A Bone to audiences in England and Prague, and in western North America this summer. Heretic is supported by a generous grant from Arts Council England-South West (formerly South West Arts) - the regional branch of Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from government and the National Lottery. Both shows have been supported by the British Council which is the U.K.'s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the U.K., and builds lasting relationships between the U.K. and other countries. "The Council funds British performers to take their work to other countries and cultures," Niki explains. "I was funded to go to Prague with the Council paying my performance fees and part of the travel costs. I'm so very, very pleased." And last but far from least, a great deal of appreciation goes to two venues in Niki's home county of Somerset in South West England which have generously provided rehearsal space and time for Niki to fine-tune her shows: Bridgwater Arts Centre (BAC) in her home community of Bridgwater and the Merlin Theatre in Frome. Niki has performed and taught regularly in both venues, and has premiered her shows at the BAC.
(Posted 02 June 2003)
JEEPERS CREEPERS! --- Creepy-crawlies of all shapes and sizes invaded Westbury-sub-Mendip Village Hall recently when pupils from St. Lawrence's Primary School in Somerset, U.K. took part in an insect-themed dance project. Led by performer Niki McCretton and funded by Mendip District Council, the day-long contemporary dance workshop saw the youngsters trying to reflect the movements of various different bugs. The children used their imaginations to become centipedes, dragonflies, stick insects and army ants and, with Niki's help, choreographed a complex dance routine. At the end of the day, after rehearsals, they performed the dance in front of the rest of the school. Ms. McCretton said she was very impressed with their efforts. "The children worked well and showed great imagination and interpretation, and produced a super routine," she said. Those taking part said they had enjoyed the experience, and that they would definitely like to do it again.
(From This Is Somerset - Posted 24 April 2003)
TARGET PRACTICE --- On Friday 28 March 2003, Niki was a guest speaker for Target Practice: Ways To Understand Your Audience - the third annual conference for arts marketers in South West England - put on by South West Arts Marketing (SWAM) at the Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton, Somerset, U.K. Niki gave a 25-minute address, followed by a question-and-answer period, during one of eight Breakout Sessions. Her session, entitled "Singular Sensation", dealt with how individual artists can market their work effectively. The conference - which included keynote speeches, case studies, breakout sessions and plenty of opportunities to network - was a chance for arts marketers, programmers, managers, funders, or anyone who has an interest in developing audiences for the arts, to meet others in the same field and hear about recent projects and developments. "Any study of audience behaviour will inevitably come to the conclusion that our potential markets consist of a number of sub-groups and individuals with similar needs, characteristics, motivations and buying practices," said SWAM in a news release. "There have been many theories that look at ways of identifying these groups in order to target them effectively. This conference looks at some of the theories and tools we can use to segment our audiences in ways that make sense, so we can make our communication relevant, effective and welcome."
(Posted 29 March 2003)
ANNIE WAS A HIT --- Niki was choreographer for a March 2003 school production of the musical Annie at Wellington School in Wellington, Somerset. The show played before capacity crowds and received rave reviews, most notably from The Taunton Times (Online) at This Is Somerset which noted the enthusiastic responses from the audience following the musical numbers.
(Posted 26 March 2003)
ACADEMY WORKSHOP --- On Sunday 16 March 2003, the Merlin Theatre in Frome, Somerset held auditions for its Frome Academy. Over 40 youngsters attended and sang for the four workshop leaders. During the Easter holidays, the Academy students worked with choreographer Niki McCretton, vocal coach Emma Harris, stylist Marina Sossi and musical director Louise Woodland to perfect their finale showcase held April 17.
(From This Is Somerset - Posted 19 March 2003)
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