Enriched by our legacy...

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There were two YTYT events this week – the first Black Company rehearsals for our imminent performance of Remember the Oaks.  It’s a strange rehearsal process this one – due to summer and holidays I am having to weave the pieces of the performance back together a little like a patchwork quilt.  We have new members in the cast and people from the original production that can’t be in it…so there is a certain amount of adaptation involved.  I’m also being able to use the benefit of hindsight and iron out some of the creases of the original staging.  However because of the people involved and the way the play is constructed I have no doubt that the production will be just as magic as it’s premier performance.  A noteworthy delight of the rehearsal was having Ellen back after completing her post-graduate diploma – she’s with us on loan while she waits for her agent to get her some excellent auditions.  I say wait – I have no doubt she will be working hard to create opportunities for herself.  Ellen’s talent and energy have always been plentiful but the development she’s had at Mountview was tangible in her rehearsal technique this week – she was so present in the room, so responsive – such openness…it’s going to be brilliant to have her back even if it’s only for a short time.


And then on Friday there was the annual summer games day – a modestly sized group of YTYTers rocked up to have a full day of gorgeous gamesiness.  This resulted in another visit from an erstwhile youth theatre member - the divine Brittany – who has blogged about the day what it was like to be back.  I am both honoured and joyful about the connection that lasts with YTYT members who have moved on to the next chapter, just as Lottie is about to do.  In the last 2 weeks I’ve had cups of coffee with two more past members and with every meeting and conversation and visit I learn something from these excellent individuals, which then feeds into what I can teach the current member of the youth theatre.  Their experiences and their generosity in sharing them enrich me and YTYT and that is yet another thing to be grateful for…

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