York College announces York Mystery Plays partnership

As the city prepares for the biggest theatrical production in the region for over twenty years, York College is pleased to announce a major partnership with the York Mystery Plays. Over the coming months students will be actively involved in supporting the Mystery Plays, using a variety of skills learned on college courses, and in turn they will have the opportunity to develop their own learning.

York College is officially launching the partnership during the York Residents’ Festival weekend (28th & 29th January) with a series of ‘Have A Go’ taster sessions in the city centre. The taster sessions are part-funded by the European Union and will engage and inspire York residents to get involved both on and off stage.

Liz Moon, Head of Marketing at York College says: “York College can offer much needed support towards the 2012 production. To kick-start the process tutors and students will lead workshops/demonstrations during the York Residents’ Festival weekend, highlighting a range of skills needed to bring the Mystery Plays to life. For example at the Yorkshire Museum residents can ‘Have a go’ at media make-up techniques, prop making and biblical crafts. In York’s Explore, media students, who are already in the middle of making a documentary film about the making of the Mystery Plays, will capture ‘Mystery Play memories’, talking to local people about their personal experiences of being involved in the York Mystery Plays over the years. Also, watch out for the College’s Performing Arts students who will be in the city centre engaging residents in a medieval dance flashmob experience. There will be something for everyone!”

Liam Evans-Ford, Community Producer of the York Mystery Plays comments: “I am delighted that York College has become a leading educational partner in the York Mystery Plays. The students’ many talents will benefit the production enormously and having the opportunity to involve the whole community in free taster-sessions during York Residents Festival weekend will provide a massive boost to the project.”