• Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

Book all 5 Offbeat Workshops for £35. Discounts will apply automatically.

Trainer and tour booker Mark Makin will guide you through the particular set of skills and specialist knowledge that you need to successfully book a tour.

This course will enable you to:

  • Organise a realistic tour schedule and budget
  • Present your company and shows to potential bookers in the best light
  • Understand the different financial and contractual deal options
  • Start building relationships with suitable venues for your work
  • ‘Selling’ your shows to programmers effectively
  • Develop systems for contracting and managing tours
  • Understand the basics of overseas tour booking

‘Mark Makin is one of ITC’s most popular trainers – his Tour Booking course sells out every time we run it and receives glowing evaluations. The key to his success with our members is his direct, clear, practical approach to training, his first-hand experience of the sector and his generosity with the breadth of knowledge and experience he commands. His professionalism and commitment to quality also make him a very trustworthy trainer. He keeps his information and skills up-to-date and actively contributes to ITC’s development of good industry practice and advocacy. ITC prides itself on the practicality and relevance of its training programme and Mark epitomises this approach – we really enjoy working with him.’ Charlotte Jones, CEO, Independent Theatre Council

‘I attended a makin projects group seminar, and was so impressed that I followed it up with a one-to-one consultation. Mark was warm, friendly and very helpful. He demystified the whole process of booking a tour and has given me the confidence and concrete information I need to book our own comprehensive tour. A thoroughly worthwhile investment and should be high on the to-do list of any touring company.’ Feargus Woods Dunlop, New Old Friends Theatre Company www.newoldfriends.co.uk

Target Audience

This course is aimed at those both new and established who hold the responsibility of tour booking. Though it starts with basic principles, it will also be helpful to those wishing to refresh their knowledge and improve their skills. This course is applicable to both theatre and dance companies.

Approach

Mark will share his own experiences of the industry as he takes you through the process of booking and managing a tour using case studies. Participants are encouraged to share their own knowledge and ask questions relating to their specific situations. Course notes and reference materials are pro-vided.

Trainer

Mark Makin co-established makin projects in September 2005. makin projects handles both national and international tour booking, as well as co-producing several new touring productions each season.

www.makinprojects.co.uk

Mark is currently the touring associate at Arts Council England funded venue initiative www.housethe-atre.org.uk , founder and co-director of both the Cheltenham and Leamington Spa Comedy Festivals.

*Workshop attendees will need to be available for the whole day to attend this session.

 

This show is part of the Offbeat Festival a partnership between the Old Fire Station, Oxford Playhouse, and New Theatre Oxford. It supports emerging talent, encourages local artists, provides a platform for new voices, and gives the public a chance to see bold new performances that take risks and push boundaries.

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.