Published at 11:09, Thursday, 26 April 2012

STEPPING, however cautiously, into the limelight is fun, according to Jeff Wallcook, Theatre by the Lake’s youth theatre leader based in Workington. It’s also good for you.

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“Youth theatre gives young people a platform from which to explore their thoughts and feelings, and to voice their opinions,” said Jeff, a seasoned and experienced theatre worker.

“Theatre is a fantastic way to develop the confidence of young people; it helps them become prominent and successful in their social surroundings. It helps them talk confidently about their thoughts and feelings, not just to their peers but to adults as well.”

Theatre by the Lake set up its first youth theatre in 2000 and sees the work as a vital service to Cumbria; it remains committed to it even though funding is difficult in these cash-strapped times. The number of groups has fluctuated over the years in line with the rise and fall of teenage enthusiasm, but interest is now high with about 120 young people regularly involved in six groups: one in Workington (sponsored by Studsvik Metals Recycling Facility in Lillyhall), two in Keswick and three in Cockermouth (hosted by the Kirkgate Centre with cash from the Big Lottery Fund).

At all sessions, members take part in fun exercises that aim to break down barriers and build up trust. They also explore voice techniques, movement and other vital theatre skills.

“We encourage people to get up on their feet and be challenged to do something that might be just a little bit outside their comfort zone. They soon find the rewards. But we never force anyone to do something they are not happy with. At the end of the day, we are doing theatre. For the participant, the theatre is the most important thing; for me it’s the participant.”

Although groups can often attract young people with a passionate wish to perform, youth theatre is much more than a fame school. “It provides an opportunity to try something; if you like it, it can show future paths you might take. It’s about seeing yourself now and developing the ability to look forward.”

Jeff wants the members of his groups to develop other skills that will help them reflect, have empathy for each other and become well-rounded people. And there are other benefits. “I hope youth theatre can give young people insights into careers in theatre work, not just as actors but in the technical side of theatre, in work with young people in schools and with community groups.”

Youth theatre pointed Daniel Serridge in the right direction; Daniel leads Theatre by the Lake’s innovative Level Up project which each year introduces about 700 pupils at all Workington schools to theatre and also aims to ease the transition from primary to secondary school. He joined the youth theatre in Keswick and stayed with it until he was 18 and left for university; after graduating, he came back to Cumbria to work for Theatre by the Lake’s education and participation team.

Another success story is playwright Joe Harbot, who joined the youth theatre in Keswick in 2002. According to Jeff, Joe was quite shy but the process of devising theatre work as a member of a group helped develop his own creativity and set him off on his chosen career.

The process continues. “One lad at Workington was very shy and would hardly say his name; now, to be honest, it’s hard to keep him down, which is fantastic. When we visited the Studsvik facility, he asked the company’s senior vice-president some very challenging questions about the recycling industry. He was talking to an adult in a very positive and constructive way.”

This boy and other members of Workington youth theatre will be out on the streets of the town next month with a version of The Steel Giant, a show they developed for indoor performance and eventually performed for Studvisk employees. “It will be vibrant and it will be loud,” Jeff added.

“I’d love to see a young people’s theatre company that could tour the region, showing theatre work that is produced, written and funded by young people. It’s a long-term aim but you need something to show where you might go.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk