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Posted: Monday 15 August, 2011
This Summer, Next Stage has been on a mission to give young people from around the globe the opportunity to experience theatre and drama first-hand.
The 60-strong Next Stage Youth company take a break from their weekly Sunday sessions over the holidays but were able to enjoy six additional workshops, with over 40 young people from Madrid, in conjunction with the Dream and Learn Summer School. NSY enjoyed exploring themes from English plays with their Spanish counterparts using drama games and exercises to help make the stories accessible to all. This collaboration was a huge success, with members of Next Stage Youth attending the Spaniards’ final showcase at the end of July and making promises to keep in touch with their new-found Spanish friends.
Then for a week in August, Next Stage hosted its first ever Summer School: STARS, a fun-filled week designed to introduce an overview of different theatre techniques to youngsters who are keen on performing arts.
On Monday 8 August we were delighted to meet a group of incredibly talented 11-15 year olds who embraced each day’s activities with enthusiasm and skill and produced first-class showcases for family and friends at the end of each day.
The first day started by explaining the importance of an actor’s daily warm up routine and each “star” devised their own exercises to stretch their bodies and voices. The rest of Monday was dedicated to exploring storytelling through mime and body language, plus improvising comic scenes and trying out some of Next Stage’s extensive costume wardrobe to create characters.
Tuesday 8 August was Musical Theatre day, led by local musician and performer Carl Speck. Carl has worked with both Next Stage adult and Youth companies in the past and the STARS were very lucky to receive his tutelage. Carl taught them various vocal techniques and styles and at the end of the day they showcased two full-length musical numbers: “Seasons of Love” from Rent and “Skid Row” from Little Shop of Horrors, in which each child performed a solo or duo section. Over half of the group had never received singing training before and we were incredibly impressed with their improvement over the course of the day.
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Next up was the Stage Combat workshop led by Next Stage’s Fight Choreographer, Nicky Wilkins. Nicky has recently completed a professional-level course in Stage Combat and couldn’t wait to share his new-found skills with the youngsters. Over the course of the day the STARS learnt how to stay safe whilst performing hands-on fighting, magical combat and routines with weapons. They then choreographed their own scenes bringing each of these elements into play.
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On Thursday 9 August, the two head choreographers from professional dance company Novato Dance introduced the STARS to a whole feast of dance styles. Jessica Squire and Holly Kitching are both qualified in dance instruction and planned a fun-filled day of jazz, hiphop, contemporary, lyrical and Bollywood classes. At 3.30 we were treated to a display of all five dance styles, with even the boys in the group joining in the Bollywood with enthusiasm!
Our last day with the STARS was dedicated to scripted work. Artistic Director of Next Stage, Ann Garner, had selected carefully tailored monologues and duologues for all the youngsters to stretch their acting skills and allow them to really get to grips with characterisation. The final showcase had each STAR performing their monologue and duologues to a full and appreciative audience.
At the end of Friday, each STAR was presented with a certificate and photos as a memento of their week. The group said their final goodbyes with promises to visit The Mission again soon, and to get involved with Next Stage Youth as soon as possible.
Next Stage have been delighted by the success of their first Summer School and, having already received commitments from workshop leaders eager to return, plus youngsters clamouring for more, we plan to run another week of similar activities next year. Details will be posted in early Summer 2012 and on the website.