Young ideas wanted for festival

ARE you interested in the arts, live shows and performances?

Would you like to get more involved and have your voice heard?

The organisers of Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival are on the lookout for young people aged 16 to 25 to take part in a pioneering scheme that will see them attend a wide range of shows and other events, enabling them to influence which guests are invited to appear at the festival in 2019.

The festival’s Generation Z team is working with a producer from Manchester’s renowned Contact Theatre and will select three young people to work with over the coming months.

They’ll receive support and expert guidance whilst experiencing shows and workshops before learning about how they’re put together.

The festival will listen to the young producer’s views and opinions and use these to influence production decisions at next year’s festival.

Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “We’ve loads of talent in our borough and this really is a great chance to be amongst the first to take part in an exciting new scheme which will help young people bring their ideas to reality in 2019.”

To register your interest email rochdale.litfest@ rochdale.gov.uk by noon on September 17.

The festival takes place from October 15-22, with more than 35 events in 15 venues.

Headline acts include poet Simon Armitage CBE, television presenter and triathlete Louise Minchin, actress, author and presenter Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE, author and poet Gervase Phinn and a ‘Generation Z’ programme for young people aged 14 to 25.

For the full line-up and to book tickets visit rochdaleliteraturefestival. co.uk