What's happening at YTYT

In the present reductive atmosphere of cuts and caps across education, welfare, health and culture there is a lot of talk in the networks I frequent about the value of studying drama.   I get frustrated sometimes that this value is articulated in glib, sweeping statements…well meaning but ultimately not of use. Part of the reason is that as drama practitioners and teachers putting the transformative things we see happening for those we work with through their engagement with drama is hard to put into words.   However something occurred to me in rehearsal this week that demonstrates one distinct way in which drama rehearsals and workshops teach those that take part something that helps them with the things life throws at them and so I thought I would share it with you. One of the plays that we are performing as part of our Birthday Celebrations follows six characters as they go through a series of life changing events.   Telling the story of the play is one thing but ...

The marvellous Sam Winder... Having had a break from Mugged for a while, we have flown back into rehearsals in full swing. With Bake Off happening again, I wanted to reuse my metaphor of our script being left to proof but with a couple of changes to the cast and such a long break, have been working hard to knead the play into shape. It’s paying off too; progress this weekend was rapid and we brought it up to a level that we are pleased with – ready for baking. This is something we owe to the discipline and thoughtfulness of the cast. A play like Mugged is one where it seems quite easy to fill out the broader brush strokes and stand it on its feet.   However, the finer details take a lot of work and the thought behind each of our lines is vital. I feel like a lot of people outside the world of art underestimate how much work goes into building character relationships and understanding the reasons for character’s actions. We have to build aspects of our characters up in orde...

The wonderful Yasmin Taheri Rather than write a goodbye blog, I thought I’d write a ‘Celebration of Yew Tree’ blog instead because A) It’s much jollier and B) As it stands I’m going to be homeless in London so I don’t actually know when I am leaving! Ladies and Gentleman I give you ... The Five Things I Love the Most About Yew Tree: 1) Togetherness Yew Tree isn’t about the individual, it’s about the collective. Sarah and Gemma don’t have their own star favourites that steal the limelight over and over because Yew Tree isn’t about the limelight. It’s about encouragement, fun and happiness. By working as an ensemble, young people attending Yew Tree learn to support each other and as a result they have the encouragement to grow, both as people and as performers. 2) Positivity At Yew Tree, young people can’t get things wrong. They’re not going to get shouted at, bossed around or told exactly what they should or shouldn’t be doing. They have the opportunity to enter an e...

This week it feels like everything is sparking back to life with vim and vigour…obviously all the weekly sessions aren’t up and running quite yet but there has been significant activity going on including picnics and games of that's out .  There's been hard work too and getting back into the rehearsal room has reminded me once again how much I adore my job.   Black Company was one of the sparks this week, we had our first session of the new term.  As the recent farewell blogs have indicated there has been something of a sea change in the company…many of our long serving members have moved on to the next chapter of their lives leaving considerable gaps.   Happily however a s they move on however new members step up and at last count the number of Black Company company members for this term was over 20 – this is the fullest it has been in quite some time and I have high hopes for what we can produce…this week we started mapping out our version of Little Red Ridin...

Georgia's blog about Brin and his Everyday Heroes got lost in transit...but here it is now... Summer project blog. Waiting for Monday morning was so nerve-racking but also so exciting. Learning lines, staging, character development, and all of the our entrances and exits was definitely difficult, and at the start seemed almost impossible (especially when you have a memory like mine) however we did it and we were all so proud of the performance.  This is how we did it.... Monday morning started off in a conference room at the Hepworth as it was raining, so we did hot seating and character relationship questions which laid the foundations for our characters.   The weather turned out not to be our friend until the end of the week, so we rehearsed at Sarah T's. Tuesday consisted of staging one of the most difficult scenes the fight scene, it actually helped being in a more controllable environment for this so we didn't scare any of the public (people in the park), and i...

Jess is this weeks farewell blogger... I literally don't know where to start with this... I know Yew tree isn't out of my life but this feels a little bit like a goodbye blog. Yew tree is genuinely my second family. I have had some of the most amazing experiences with the best people and growing up upsets me because I'm too old for youth theatre and lots of other people have it all to look forward to. When I wanted to be an actor Yew Tree helped me, when I then decided to be a teacher, Yew Tree helped me. I genuinely believe that I wouldn't have got into university without yew tree and Sarah's support and guidance. More so than anything though I've had fun. I've laughed with these people more than anyone else and have memories that I wouldn't change for anything. If you like acting or think you could like acting then seriously go to yew tree. Play games and perform with your friends, and absolutely be a part of connections. (You cannot beat the connect...

It's difficult to pick one thing to blog about this week as it's been made up of lots of divergent threads but I suppose the major theme is it's been very much about what's on the horizon. We had results day on Thursday - so stressful for all concerned - for some YTYT members and associates they got exactly what they needed to go on to the next chapter...for others it wasn't the news they were hoping for.  I recognise that last situation all too well, my A' level results took me in a completely different direction to the one I would have followed if I'd got what I needed to take my place at Loughborough Uni.  I can't imagine a life now without my years out, my wonderful time at Bretton Hall and all the rest of the adventures that brought me to now...artistic director of my own company with a string of qualifications and a deep and passionate love for the life I get to live... Then we had Friday...Yasmin's play in a day and games session to help r...

Dee is next in our series of farewell bloggers... Just a quick cute little yewtree blog, I first met Sarah when I was 13 going on 14 as she started teaching at the dance school I went to, I was a footballers wife wannabe with questionable make up and fashion choices and joined yewtree shortly after, so now 23 going on 24 a whole decade of my little life has being spent with weekly sessions and hundreds of rehearsals and performances. My closest friends, even those who left yewtree years ago some that I still see on a weekly basis some that I see on a monthly basis are from yewtree so I reckon if I didn't join when I did I'd be a lot more unpopular right now and minus an army of girls and a band of big brothers haha. But yeah, to cut to the chase I have always loved dancing but acting wasn't something I thought I could pursue, it wasn't even something I knew I was good at until I came to yewtree and since then I ditched the wag wannabe ways and worked my pink little ...

  Last week I had the pleasure and the privilege of being a tutor at the NODA Summer School, teaching the Actors Toolbox course.  It was a packed week – and by packed I mean full to the brim of brilliant students, the most amazing fellow tutors, a legendary head of school, great people who pulled it all together and more laughter than I have enjoyed in a while (and to be fair my life is pretty full of laughter as a general rule) It was also chock full of learning, creativity, bravery and generosity too… To sum up the course that was the focus of the week is really difficult so I have decided to utilize one of the techniques we explored to glean the given circumstances of the text…the key questions that give you the reason a scene is included in a play and the key to how to translate it into performance.   So here goes… 1.   Who was involved and what was their relationship?   The people who attended the course were from all walks of life, with a great ...

This is the lovely George's farewell blog... I ’ m actually quite lost as to where to start with regards to writing this ‘ farewell blog ’ . Without being quoting generic quotes, it hardly seems like yesterday when I first walked through the doors of Yew tree and being welcomed with open arms. In fact, it ’ s not even been a full year - which seems unbelievably strange especially now I consider Yew tree as part of my family. Okay, so I know she ’ ll hate me for this but I feel I should use to opportunity to tell you wonderful readers about how much of an impact Sarah Osbourne has had on my life; when I first started I ’ d heard wonderful praise about Sarah and her work from friends and colleagues, but never really imagined this woman could propel my acting career to where it is today. My first play with Yew tree was “ Vampire Story ” , being cast as a small supporting part, yet Sarah would spend just as much time concentrating on ensuring I was clear with my goals as a c...

There are of course countless rehearsal techniques to draw from and each production I direct I select the ones I think will help the actors find the performance we are looking for.   One of the many I have up my sleeve is off text improvisation – which is – exactly as it’s name suggests – improvisation by the actors of the scenes that occur outside the text of the script.   The resulting “scenes” can give the actors more depth and detail to a character and a greater understanding of a characters journey up to and throughout the play. As with all techniques there is a risk…specifically with this one you can find that you waste valuable rehearsal time on something that becomes self-indulgent and although entertaining to the participants it ultimately doesn’t add anything to the character or story.   It’s something I only use with care...however this week we have used it to excellent effect. This week, in case you missed the barrage of photographs, has been our Summ...

Charlotte's farewell blog... "There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story." The last time I left to Yew Tree I was embarking on a journey to become a lawyer and heading off to University. Years later I'm leaving Yew Tree for good as I have got where I want to be. I will be a solicitor by 2018 in a top 20 law firm in the heart of the legal North. The comfort and safety that Sarah offers at Yew Tree is unrivalled. I'll forever be thankful for being able to grow as a person in an environment that encourages optimism, positivity and growth. I would not be where I am today without Yew Tree Youth Theatre and I still can't believe it's finally coming to and end. I've made friends for life and love you all dearly. Ps I don't offer legal advice haha!

Daisy's farewell blog... First of all I cannot believe I am sat here writing a ‘farewell' blog! somehow I don’t feel old enough to be leaving and going to university (or tall enough for that matter). After a 7 month Yew Tree hiatus because of the gruelling demands of A2 levels, I decided to return and take part in the summer project: 'Brin and His Everyday Heroes'. I would just like to take a moment to thank the entire cast as on a personal note, I have been dealing with some sad news this week, but the yew tree members have managed to obliviously put a smile on my face in all their ridiculousness and loveliness, so thanks guys. I’ll have to admit when I first looked at the script I was a tad bewildered with there being so many characters and relationships, but when we began putting it on it’s feet I started noticing the connections and it was great seeing the characters come to life. I enjoyed having the chance to see everyone again, and somehow they all seemed ...