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The Benefits of Youth Theatre for Young Performers

A Place of Inspiration

By M BPublished 5 years ago 7 min read
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Performing has always been something that I have enjoyed. I started dancing from the age of 3 and went on to join a Youth Theatre as my interest in Performing Arts developed. I was 11 when I joined Middlesbrough Youth Theatre. During the 7 years that I was a part of this company I gained some of the most important skills, advice and friends that I will never forget. I left MYT when I was 18 because I decided that I wanted to go to University in Worcester to study Drama and Performance. Leaving was so hard for me and no one will ever understand the bond you have with people who share the same passion for theatre, unless you have been apart of it yourself. I want to share the benefits of youth theatre for young performers from accounts of past and current members of Youth Theatres in different part of the country.

Izzy Formby-Jackson:

Where did your interest in performing arts come from?

My interest in performing arts ultimately roots from my family and their appreciation for musicals and plays. My mum has taken part in amateur productions from a very young age and considering I already went to Heritage Dance Studio, it kind of went hand in hand with that.

Why did you decide to join Middlesbrough Youth Theatre?

I was actually at first quite reluctant to join MYT (Middlesbrough Youth Theatre) because I didn't really believe in myself at all in comparison to the performances I'd seen from the group, for example Miss Saigon which I found phenomenal, especially for a youth group. I was 14 at the time I decided to (very nervously) do the open auditions for Cats the musical with MYT, and looking back now, I can say it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made.

What would you say are the most important skills you have learnt from being part of a Youth Theatre?

Probably that hard work really does take you places and never to doubt yourself or give yourself limitations. As cringe-worthy as it sounds, before I started MYT I would have never seen myself as anything but chorus, but with the right amount of pressure and ambition you can definitely achieve the role you want, but it does take a certain drive.

What your advice be to any young performers considering joining a youth theatre?

I'd say that if you are considering coming to a youth group then be ready to make friends to last a lifetime and to completely build your confidence. I also think that if musical theatre is something you want to do, then definitely try and get as much experience as you can, whether that's a main role or a chorus member because at the end of the day no matter who you play in a show, everyone is just as important as each other. Also don't feel like you have to be good at everything to join (acting/singing/dancing) because you're not supposed to be going as an 'already finished product' and be able to do everything. For example, never be afraid to do a singing audition if you class yourself as 'just a dancer;' I know a girl who always shied away from singing and now she's playing Gabriela in High School Musical which is a huge singing role and that just proves that it's only you that's standing in your way. So, definitely go with an open mind and be ready to push yourself!

Do you feel your performance skills have developed since joining Middlesbrough Youth Theatre?

I definitely think I've improved performance wise, but a lot of that was down to the leaders and my friends at MYT because of the constant support that is provided there. MYT is something that I will be forever grateful for because I never thought this could be something I'd want to take up as a career, but the way my confidence has grown, and having each show take me through that process has been incredible. This isn't me saying I'm perfect now because I'm not and I never will be and that's also something that has helped me to grow—the fact that I know I can never stop growing and learning, and I absolutely love that. Overall though, I feel now that being a performer is less about how talented you are, and is more about having no limitations for yourself, taking risks that push your skills and absolutely, having the most fun, while meeting the most amazing people.

Leanne Bowers:

Would you advise children interested in performing to join a youth theatre; did you find your passion for theatre became stronger once you joined?

I would absolutely advise young people to join a youth theatre as it builds confidence and prepares you for working in a professional environment. My passion for performing did grow stronger once I joined as it made me see other talented people.

Are there any shows that you took took part in that particularly stand out in you memory; what is your fondest memory?

Remote by Stef Smith is one that stands out as we ended up performing at multiple venues as part of National Youth Theatre Connections. It was my first lead role and was the first time I properly emotionally connected with a character. My fondest memory is the first standing ovation we got for a performance, seeing all of the company so emotional about how the audience responded to our hard work was a moment I will never forget.

Are the skills that you learned while you were there still useful to you now?

I still use the characterisation techniques that we learned, like how to create an entire backstory for a character that may only have two lines. I've learnt more on how to develop a character, but this is the first thing I still do.

Yasmin Taylor-Haroun:

As a young performer, what made you want to join a youth theatre?

I was very young when I joined the youth theatre, I would say as young as four or five.

Me and my sister joined together as we both loved to sing and perform at home and I expect that our Mum would have thought that the youth theatre would be a productive way for us to further our interest in performing.

Do you think that you would be studying a different subject at university if you hadn't of had the chance to experience what it was like to study Drama/Theatre at a youth theatre?

I think that the youth theatre has greatly impacted my decision to study theatre throughout school and my choice to study it at University. Theatre became my main interest as a child, and that never changed as I grew up. I think the early exposure to performing in the theatre really impacted my interest in drama and performing and had i not had that early experience of it when I was young, I'm almost certain i'd be studying a different subject now.

Do you think the youth theatre allows children to start discover who they are as a performer and what area of performance they enjoy, or do you think that comes with more experience?

I think it depends on what sort of youth theatre you happen to be a part of. The theatre company that I was in was very much recreational, and despite the fact that most of the performance were of good quality, it was centered around having fun rather than anything else. However, I have worked with a youth theatre that is very much a training school for young performers, who are expected to perform to a very high quality even from a young age they expect a lot. Many of the students aim to go on to top drama schools. I think that finding who you are as a performer comes once you have experienced a range of different types of theatre, which in my opinion come later once you've had more experience.

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Special thanks to each individual that took part in this post!

Thank you for reading @TheDramaStudentBlog

If you have any questions please leave comment.

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M B

Lifestyle blogger

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