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Posted: Tuesday 07 September, 2010
Next Stage Youth has been in existence for over 15 years, providing training in theatre and performance skills for 11-18 year olds. On Sunday 5th September at the company’s home at The Mission Theatre in Bath, The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre was presented for the very first time.
To celebrate the talent and enthusiasm shown by its members, Next Stage Youth has initiated this award to be presented annually to the Youth member who has shown the greatest talent, team work, dedication, helpfulness and positive attitude over the previous twelve months.
This accolade has been made possible by a donation in memory of Bridget Cassé. Bridget was a stalwart Next Stage member for over 15 years until her untimely death in March this year. She worked extensively with the Youth group as a tutor, language coach and mentor. Her husband, Alan Cassé, wanted there to be a permanent commemoration of Bridget’s work at the theatre.
Alan Cassé said at yesterday’s presentation: “Who better to receive this honour than a member of the Youth theatre – after all, our youngsters will be the theatre practitioners and play-going public of the future.”
The 2010 winner of The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre was Philip Davies who has been a member of NSY for 3 years and has matured over that time into a sensitive and talented performer and also a popular member of the group. Philip starred as Jake in our July production of Sparkleshark and also appeared as Mr Thompson in Daisy Pulls it Off.
Clearly overwhelmed when the announcement was made Philip said to the 40 youth members gathered for the ceremony: “I have seen all the recent performances of Daisy and I was in Sparkleshark so I know you are ALL very good. I am thrilled and honoured to receive this trophy especially to be the first person to do so.”
A shortlist of 13 Youth members were nominated for The Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre. The list was proposed by the current adult tutors who have worked with NSY throughout the year, preparing entries for the Mid-Somerset Drama Festival and productions of Sparkleshark and Daisy Pulls it Off.
Runner Up was Tom Babbage who gave up almost a month of his Summer holiday to appear in every cast of Daisy Pulls it Offand is a talented actor, dancer and singer. Last year Tom appeared in London with the adult Next Stage company in Torch Song Trilogy.
In third place for the trophy and Highly Commended was Verity Ferris, a relatively new Next Stage Youth member who has delighted everyone with her friendly and welcoming disposition and her fantastic performance as Verity in Daisy Pulls it Off.
Now in its 16th year, Next Stage Youth has reached its full capacity of members with 60 youngsters enrolling in the Autumn term. Anyone wishing to join NSY in January 2011 should contact Ann Garner at the Mission Theatre on 01225 428600 to put their name on the waiting list.
