Brochure - rainbow factory

WHA T’ ‘S ON

Welcome to The Rainbow Factory
School of Performing Arts
“As a centre of excellence we provide exceptional performing arts training to young
people of all backgrounds and abilities. The standard of coaching delivered by
industry professionals is highly respected throughout the arts industry and beyond.
We underpin everything we do with the very best of youth work techniques and
principles to ensure the young people we work with develop not just professionally,
but personally and socially. We produce spellbinding, ‘sell out’ shows that thrill
audiences, and showcase the dynamic talents of the Rainbow Factory students.
We use the performing arts in all its disciplines, to transform the lives and outlooks
of young people. We work hard to make our services affordable or free where possible
to make sure everyone is welcome.
Raiinbow Factory student Daniel Gorman as
The Captain, The Sound of Music 2019
Photo- MT Stills Photography
www.youthaction.org/rainbow-factory
Through our renowned ‘issue based’ theatre productions, the young people are given a
high profile platform upon which to educate and inspire the world with issues that are
close to their hearts and minds. A strong focus is placed on peer to peer learning and
young people are offered opportunities to help others, particularly pertaining to mental
health issues. Ultimately the social and personal development of the young people is of
paramount importance; from simply having fun and making friends to receiving a standing
ovation after weeks of intense rehearsals, we aim to make our school of performing arts
and wider society a happy, hopeful and healthy place to be.”
Maire Campbell, Artistic Director
Contact us
By email: aoife@youthaction.org
By phone: 02890 240551
In person: YouthAction Northern Ireland,
14 College Square North, Belfast, BT1 6AS
Website: www.youthaction.org
Kindly supported by

WHAT’S ON AT RAINBOW FACTORY
TECHIE SCHOOL
Wednesday’s 5pm - 7pm
COSMOS & EUROPA
Thursday’s 5.30pm - 9pm
It’s not just about singing, dancing and acting at Rainbow. Techie School is a
fantastic way to gain hands-on experience in making the magic happen on
stage! Train in lighting design, sound mixing, stage management and
work backstage as a ‘techie’ on our shows and events.
The Cosmos and Europa classes are for young people from Eastern European
communities in Northern Ireland. These classes allow young people to come
together and develop their drama and dance skills as well as socialise with
other young people. The classes are on Thursdays at the Rainbow Factory,
Belfast. Contact Aoife on 02890 240551
MONDAY NIGHT DANCE
Monday’s 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Aimed at students who have a particular interest in dance and seeking to
stretch their skills to a professional level. With a focus on contemporary
dance, students will develop technique, choreographic skills and produce
work which explores a fusion of styles mixed with modern techniques and
music. Give it a go! For more information, contact Cheryl on 028 9024 0551
THE TITANS, BALLYMENA
Wednesday’s 6.00pm - 8.30pm
The Braid Ballymena Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre,
1-29 Bridge Street, BT43 5EJ
The Spectrum Titans classes is an exciting specialist drama and dance
programme for young people from ethnic minority communities in
Northern Ireland. The Titans class takes place in The Braid Arts Centre,
Ballymena on Wednesday evenings. For more information contact Aoife
on 028 9024 055.

FRONT OF HOUSE CREW
GIG NIGHTS
Each year thousands of audiences come to see our sell out Rainbow
Productions. If you have an interest in box office, welcoming guests and want
to meet new friends or build your confidence and improve your teamwork
skills, then Front of House wants YOU!
For 12+ years contact Helen on 02890 240551 for more information
The Irish Youth Music Awards is a community based youth music project for
bands and musicians aged 12-19 year, across the whole island of Ireland.
The Rainbow Factory partners with IYMAS to give local music artists the
opportunity to attend gig nights and the annual IYMAS celebration day at
Croke Park Dublin. For more information contact helen@youthaction.org
MUSICAL THEATRE STUDIO
Saturday’s 1pm - 2.30pm
OPEN SPACE
Do you have a passion for musical theatre? If so Musical Theatre Studio is for
you. This Saturday class will unlock your performance potential within this
theatrical genre, including: vocal warm ups, vocal techniques, connecting
emotionally to songs, the importance of diction, practicing good performance
techniques, timing, movement and comedy. The Saturday classes are led by
the musically talented Alex McKelvey.
For more information contact Aoife on 028 9024 0551
Take centre stage at Open Space! If you sing, dance, make people laugh,
have a band or do magic tricks. You can book a performance slot in front of a
live audience! Open Space events take place at Rainbow Factory throughout
the year. To take part contact Helen on 028 9024 0551

Join the Rainbow Factory
If you would like to be part of our
School of Performing Arts contact Aoife on
02890240551 or email aoife@youthaction.org
Ages 10 - 25
Everyone welcome
“I’ve always loved drama but have
felt out of place at other drama groups.
Everyone is supportive and friendly here,
I have grown so much as a person through
taking part in shows and learning new skills.
I’ve made friends for life at Rainbow!”
Rainbow member

Tickets on sale now!
It’s panto time this Christmas at
Rainbow Factory!
Thurs 28th
DECEMBER
7.30pm
28th November - 15th December,
7.30pm each night and
2.30pm at weekends.
Come along to the Rainbow Factory
Theatre this November and December
and join Snow White on a
magical adventure filled with laughs,
songs and dancing. An unmissable
pantomime adventure for the whole
family to enjoy!
Tickets are selling fast!
How to get tickets: Call 02890240551
or email boxoffice@youthaction.org
Tickets: £6.50 adult / £5.50 child
Discounts available for YouthAction NI
members
Fri 29th
Sat 30th
Sun 1st
Mon 2nd
Tue 3rd
Wed 4th
Thurs 5th
Fri 6th
Sat 7th
Sun 8th
Mon 9th
Tue 10th
Wed 11th
Thurs 12th
Fri 13th
Sat 14th
Sun 15th
7.30pm
2.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
2.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
2.30pm
2.30pm

Volunteers
Needed
We are always looking for volunteers to help us with fundraising,
front of house and donation of raffle prizes.
To contribute please contact Helen on 02890240551
or email helen@youthaction.org
Photo: Rainbow’s COSMOS class performing at the
Open Space Festival 2019
“Volunteering at productions has been great fun,
we feel part of the family at Rainbow.” Parent volunteer

HIGHLIGHTS
FRONT OF HOUSE CREW
AWARD WINNING FRONT OF HOUSE CREW
After working hard this year on various Rainbow Factory productions and
events the Front of House Crew received special recognition at the Education
Authority Volunteer Awards for their efforts in volunteering. The awards were
held at The Radisson Hotel in Belfast.
STAR - Mixed Abilities Outreach class
STAR - fun drama and dance classes for 11-25years with different physical,
mental and learning disabilities. In collaboration with partner organisations
such as Belfast Metropolitan College young people can develop creative skills
and build self confidence. This year the STAR class performed in front of a live
audience, the performance was given a standing ovation.
eND OF TERM FESTIVAL
On the last Saturday of the Rainbow Factory spring term, we hosted an end of
term celebration event. Students performed what they had worked on in
their classes, took part in positive mental health workshops and had lots of
fun. There was also a Q&A with a panel of professional actors who trained at
the Rainbow Factory.
IYMAS - GIG NIGHT 2019
The Irish Youth Music Awards Belfast selection gig night took place at
The Rainbow Factory Theatre in February. The gig night was managed by
young volunteers from YouthAction NI’s Rainbow Factory Techie School and
the Front of House Crew. “I loved performing in front of a live audience.
A magic night I’ll never forget.” Performer

HIGHLIGHTS
The Chain
The Chain is a compelling production underscored by live
music. Inspired by real life experiences of its young cast
and band. The cast and crew toured the play to youth
and community organisations across Northern Ireland in
May and June 2019. Each performance was followed by a
mental health workshop led by the young cast.
‘The show was fantastic, cast,
crew and techie team should be
“Absolutely brilliant, very dramatic
so proud of themselves.
and relatable. Music, staging, lighting,
We choreography laughed, made cried the and performance sang the
whole amazing. way Really through!’ hit home, so relatable,
spreads awareness.” Youth worker

HIGHLIGHTS
The Chain
The Chain has been praised and supported by
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and
has been endorsed as an important vehicle to
help young people. For more information on
our award-winning issue based theatre
productions contact Maire Campbell
at maire@youthaction.org
New issue based theatre performances
& tour March and April 2020
“This show was incredible,
should be perfomed in schools
across the country. An important,
poignant piece of theatre.”
Audience member

The Sound of Music
“I have learnt so much about myself and
myself around others. I enjoyed every day spent with
fantastic people, really look forward to next time.
Every day was filled with laughter and memories
with friends that will last a lifetime. The show was amazing and
none of it would be possible without the dedication
of the team and cast.” Cast member
Summer Musical dates 2020:
Auditions: May 2020
Rehearsals begin: Tuesday 14th July
Show dates: 10th - 15th August
“The show was fantastic.
Cast, crew and techie team
should be so proud of themselves.
We laughed, cried and sang
the whole way through!”
Audience member

The Sound of Music
The Rt. Hon Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor John
Finucane visited the set of The Sound of Music to
congratulate the young people on their fantastic
work ethic and passion for the arts. The Lord Mayor
was treated to a
couple of songs and stayed to chat with the
Front of House crew and Techie Team.
“Really inspiring talent.
It’s obvious the amount of work
and dedication that went into
this fantastic show. Amazing!”
Rt. Hon Lord Mayor of Belfast
Councillor John Finucane

Thank you to all our sponsors

Charity ref: XR44398 Company No: NI 035317