Walk the Plank to produce Commonwealth Youth Games opening in Isle of Man In September this year, the Isle of Man will host the IV edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games and the producers of the Opening Ceremony, world renowned arts organisation Walk the Plank, are looking for young volunteers aged 13-19 to be part of the spectacular ceremony. The Opening Ceremony, to be held at the newly refurbished 3000 all-seater stadium the Bowl, will welcome 1000 young athletes from 71 Commonwealth countries. The athletes will be joined by local participants in a carnival-inspired celebration filled with colour, music and dance. Walk the Plank have recently returned from Turku in Finland where they opened the city’s Capital of Culture year with a large scale event involving acrobatics, the world’s largest fire drawing and finale fireworks. The organisation also produced the lantern element of the Closing Ceremony for the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester. “The 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games Opening Ceremony will be a vibrant and inclusive event that will be huge fun to be part of. It’s important that the people of the Island are part of this occasion and have the opportunity to celebrate the games, and Manx culture, on the global stage.” Liz Pugh, Producer and Co-founder of Walk the Plank. If you are aged 13-19 and interested in being part of something truly unique, the CYG2011 Organising Committee in conjunction with Walk The Plank are running Open Workshops to recruit performers and other participants for the Opening Ceremony. At the Workshops you can find out more about the event, meet the creative team and work with the choreographers who will be creating the show. These will take place at the Ballakermeen Studio Theatre, NSC Secondary Sports Hall and the Villa Marina Royal Hall on the following dates: Saturday 12 Feb, 1.30pm-3.30pm: carnival workshop I - all welcome, whatever ability (Ballakermeen) Saturday 12 Feb, 3.30pm-4.30pm: video documentation, press, production support (Ballakermeen) Sunday 13 Feb, 10.30am – 12.30pm: carnival workshop II for performers, dancers (NSC) Sunday 13 Feb, 1.30pm – 2.30pm: people interested in technical & backstage (Villa Marina Royal Hall) Sunday 13 Feb, 2.30pm – 4.30pm: carnival workshop III – all welcome whatever ability (Villa Marina) Attendance at one of the Workshops is essential if you want to be part of the show. Book your place via production@walktheplank.co.uk, indicating which workshop you would like to attend or call 0161 736 8964. ENDS