Taking to the stage with the Rose Youth Theatre
Lucy Morrell tells us what is in the pipeline for the Rose Youth Theatre…
I am delighted to have recently taken on the position of Director of Learning and Participation at Rose Theatre Kingston. The Rose is an incredibly special place with community at its heart, something I knew instantly when I first walked through the doors three years ago. Having grown up in the area it is wonderful to come back and work with people of all ages from a community I am truly passionate about.
My first job at the Rose was directing a summer school production of Treasure Island, a title we will be revisiting in the autumn with the Rose Youth Theatre. I had a wonderful week working with a group of energetic and talented young people. I was truly inspired by my predecessor Ciaran McConville and the other practitioners’ passion and belief in their work with young people. Since then I have been lucky enough to direct a number of plays for the Rose Youth Theatre alongside my work as a freelance director and performer.
The Rose offers a large community outreach programme which is made up of the Rose Youth Theatre, adult courses and summer schools. We also curate tailor-made workshops for primary schools, secondary schools, further education colleges and universities.
Our youth theatre is one of the largest of its kind in London and we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment where creativity is nurtured and developed. It’s a warm, dynamic place that offers extensive training for young people aged 5 to 25 in both skills and performance-based courses. In addition, we also offer a week long Academy for those wishing to audition to train at drama school and enter the performing arts profession. The Rose Academy draws on the expertise of leading drama school facilitators, directors and actors to offer an insight into conservatoire training and techniques to maximise the chances of obtaining a place on the course you want. Many of our students go on to further train in acting and have accepted places at conservatoire drama schools. Others take our courses to learn about other aspects of the industry. Some students come simply to improve confidence, socialise or develop skills. Whatever the reason for joining there is a place for all at Rose Youth Theatre.
We also run a number of adult courses, including our hugely successful Players course, our adults acting group open for anyone aged over 18. We welcome actors of all ages and experiences to take part in classes that focus on professional-process and technique. This summer we are doing a community play with a cast of 30 ranging from ages 11 – 75. The play will be Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and feature members of Rose Youth Theatre and adults from the local community.
For 2019 we are expanding and developing our outreach programme and working with local charities and organisation within the borough. We have recently developed a new model for curriculum based primary school’s workshops which we will be launching this summer.
We are thrilled that for the sixth year running 46 members of Rose Youth Theatre will once again be performing in Rose Theatre Kingston’s main stage Christmas production. We are really excited to share this wonderful retelling of The Snow Queen adapted and directed by Ciaran McConville.
(Image credits: Rachael Lowndes)