#AnACE2017 – Youth Theatre Productions

As the chaos of Christmas begins to subside and 2018 rapidly approaches, we thought we would take some time to look back over some highlights of our Courtyard year. Today we look back on our Youth Theatre productions.

Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass
Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass

At The Courtyard we work with young people to prepare them for a career within the theatre. Our Youth Theatre programme supports children of all ages and as well as teaching them stage skills, the sessions help develop confidence, make friends and give young people a voice. In addition to regular drama sessions, we also give young people an opportunity to perform in professional productions and this year has seen three incredible shows take to the Main House stage.

In April, Ellen Dorsett directed our Junior Youth Theatre in Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Over 160 children took part in the production and Hereford Times’ Philippa May said; “Ellen Dorsett is to be congratulated on the wit and invention of this production, the professionalism of the young cast and the energy they bring to the stage.”

In July, Dan Pegler directed the Senior Youth Theatre in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a 1920’s Sicilian twist! The breath taking, and often hilarious, performances from

A Midsummer Nights Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

members of the cast led Rebecca Cain from The Hereford Times to declare that it was “without a doubt… the theatre’s Senior Youth Theatre Production of the Shakespeare play was the best I have seen.”

Finally, in October, Pride & Prejudice took to the stage in a pro-am production directed by David Durant. Members of the Youth Theatre were given the opportunity to perform alongside professional actors in the Jane Austen classic. Izzy Harrison, who played Charlotte Lucas in the production, talks about her experience of being on stage in the video below.

 

These productions highlight the huge amount of talent that young people in Herefordshire possess and are made possible by the dedication of our Education Team, our young people and all of the parents and guardians who support their children!

For more information on Youth Theatre please visit www.courtyard.org.uk/youth-theatre