Audiences now, are finding new methods of engaging with the musical and fandoms are beginning to establish a visible online presence and in turn, a shift in paratexts are created. Using social media to cultivate relationships, communities and fandoms, this particular generation are responding to the musical in new and innovative ways. Fan created paratexts are becoming a more popular as fans become more intent on establishing connections to the production. Younger audiences, and their tendency to engage with these interactions has allowed them to become the most active audiences on social media, whom are both critically engaged and creative. The access to online, interactive platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube bring new opportunities for paratextual creations.

Examples of this ‘next stage of engagement’ can be seen through the production Dear Evan Hansen (2015), which is now pushing the limits of social media and successfully utilising Dolan’s utopian performatives to draw in audiences and engage its fandom, or as they have self-coined themselves, the ‘Dear Evan Fansens’. The fandom are using these paratexts in establishing one-to-one connections with its fans, allowing the fan created material to ‘speak back’ to the performance moment itself and it is this which validates a transactional relationship between fan and production. This work ultimately sets out the fandom’s desire to ‘be found’.

A free public lecture delivered by University of Wolverhampton Lecturer Bethany Doherty

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Stafford Business Hub

What is Stafford Business Hub?

The University of Wolverhampton in Stafford has worked with Stafford Borough Council to create a business support programme focused on preparing local small and medium sized companies for the problems they may face after Brexit based with Stafford Borough. The Stafford Business Hub programme focuses on providing support to business start-ups, re-launches or upscales through a structured and dedicated service based in the Stafford Borough.

The full programme is based on attendance at four key phases and the business must be based within Stafford Borough.

The training is all free and is worth over £500 per business in terms of support and delivery.

Business basics Seminar- Phase 1

What is this stage about?

Phase 1 of the Staffordshire Business Hub programme will deliver initially the basic business skills focusing on starting up or growing a business.

Who can apply?

Phase 1 is open to anyone who has an interest in developing or upscaling a business, and the course is designed so that you do not have to be the owner of the business. If you are responsible for growth or business development within an existing organisation then that is fine. The business will need to be located with the Stafford Borough Council Area.

What will we cover?

• Understanding the basic principles of running a small business.
• Opportunities and pitfalls
• Skills and qualifications
• Business Planning
• Basic Marketing techniques
• Legalities
• Legal status

There is the opportunity to progress onto phase 2 of the programme and more information can be found at www.uwis.co.uk

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Chris Beebee Aldridge will discuss the role of the saxophone in various genres of popular music and the techniques and approaches used. Chris has worked with numerous artists including Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Gary Barlow, Ben E King and Roy Wood.

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As part of the University of Wolverhampton's sponsorship of the Stafford Half Marathon 2021 this is the third in a three part lecture series focused on distance running.

The presentation will look to provide help and guidance for runners of all abilities to help achieve their full potential on race day. We will cover how sports science can be used by all not just the elite and present practical tips to help with training plans, race preparation and the race day itself.

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Book your place here 

Community really matters to us. Dr Darren Daly gives a discusses the unique opportunity to engage in applied drama and theatre through placements and collaboration.

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