And a third from Dec Kelly CONNECTIONS 2017-2018 completed it mate

It’s hard to describe that feeling, the feeling when we found out we were going to the National. Remember Tom messaging me whilst I was at work and not going to lie nearly dropped the pizza...

After 14 years of Yew tree youth theatre being part of the connections festival, we finally made it but the thing is it wasn’t just joyous for the ceasefire babies cast but everyone single past yew tree member who had committed to the program years ago. I guess it gave a sense of community for everyone coming together past and present to appreciate and join the journey towards this amazing experience. But who would have thought back in November 2017 that Yew tree youth theatre would have preformed at THE NATIONAL THEATRE???

‘The ceasefire babies’ by Fiona Doyle, is a hard hitting play which explores theme which can be present as universal rather than locked to the location of the play. Having a play which we as a cast could related to in some shape was a great way of creating that personal connection and allowing the play the become our own.

The thing about connections which had stood out for me over the past 4 years is that, you grow as an actor. When we started the play in November there was a large majority who had never done a connections play and then a few who had done 3,4,5 or more past connection plays. And it’s nice as an older one to see the younger pupils grow and it allows us all to give ways of thinking. The cast this year ranged from 11-18 which is such large scale for such a hard hitting play and every single person told the story as if they’d had experienced events first hand.

I just want to mention how amazing the three younger member violet, Lyla and Heidi. Also Nathan who I’ve never seen someone come at ease with a play so much and has grown so much as a actor happy had the chance to work along side him. Everyone made each character believable and I think fair to say became emotional attached to the character.

From November to July safe to say we’ve had a wild journey. The show was changed in different ways each time to make it fresh and different. We also had 2 sliced finger injury’s from me and Charlotte and then a broke ankle from me, Maddison hip popping out every second and well let’s say it has been an amazing and emotional experience.

As a cast we’ve grown together and made bonds which will be unbreakable and I couldn’t ask for a better more talented cast to work with as each and everyone one is beyond talent.

But seriously, we couldn’t have done any of this without Sarah, Oz and DJ Helena all three have helped us in different ways which we as a cast could be more appreciated of. Sarah you’ve helped everyone grow as an actor and allowed us to reach new levels but never stopped pushing us at all, which I wanna say thank you because you’ve helped us make such a remarkable performance which we can cherish for a long time.

NEXT STOP THE NATIONAL!!! So after the exciting new rehearsals were intensely in full swing having directors, fight directors, costume department from the National all coming up to Wakefield to work with us. These people from the National made each and everyone moment professional it felt unreal. Having costumes made for you, wigs fitted for the 1970’s so many back stage members helping people get changed from one character to another extremely quick. And these people made our day and experience 10x better and couldn’t be more great-full for such an amazing and overwhelming experience.

So all I can say now is, if you are thinking about doing connections 2018-2019 do it! Don’t hold back because it is the most rewarding experience I have ever done. For me personally after doing connections for 4 years now it helped me grow and become more diverse with the characters I bring to life on stage.

CONNECTIONS 2018-2019 YEW TREE ARE COMING FOR YOU


Declan

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