Is theatre being taken over by youth?

what is everyones opinion?

is the youth of the country/world taking over theatre?

more youth companys are being formed, more young people are comming to auditions, more young people are comming to shows.

by youth, i mean 14-19.

should young people stay out of the theatre scene? do they not belong in the theatre, or should people welcome them with open arms??

just something i was thinking about.

xxAmanda t.

I think Youth should be welcomed with open arms - they after all are the future!! Who is going to carry on if we don't encourage youth in theatre world? It would die out and be no more!!!

Of course there are only so many roles they can fill, depending on the play/musical that is being produced, but even so they should not be turned away if they are "too young" they should be encouraged to be involved in all aspects of theatre, as it's the youth who will one day also be the techie's of the theatre scene, and by encouraging them now, it will make sure that theatre will still be alive and well in the future!!!

As to the recent "growth" in youth theatre company's, I think it's fantastic that they are getting out there and doing it all themselves, they should be commended as it is not an easy job. It also gives younger people the chance to work with people of their own age, if they don't feel comfortable in being involved with an older, established company where they might not get as many chances to be actively involved. Not saying that any company would say "no" to new, enthusiastic members - am I right? Because no theatre company can survive without people wanting to willing get in there and do the work or at least learn somethng new!!! But it just gives them a chance!!!

Well this is just my opinion anyways, and, like Amanda, I would love to hear other people's views on this subject.

Sherry:)

thanks for your opinion, Sherry!

being a 15 year old, i like to know what people think about youht in theatre.

ciao,
Amandaxx

I don't think "taken over" so much as "rejuvenated". All these things are cyclical- now it would seem that the time is ripe for youth to have its fling, and this should be openly encouraged- as Sherry has stated, the youth is the future.

The big question is how may of these youth companies will make a success of their ventures?

Eliot

I don't think "taken over" so much as "rejuvenated". All these things are cyclical- now it would seem that the time is ripe for youth to have its fling, and this should be openly encouraged- as Sherry has stated, the youth is the future.

The big question is how many of these youth companies will make a success of their ventures?

Eliot

As one of the aforementioned "youth", I think its great that there are more opportunities for young people who want to act - I find myself turning down (*shock horror*) opportunities because I simply cannot do everything.

Having said that, it is my blatently honest opinion that people are not really worth watching on stage til they are about 16. Yes, there are several "youths" that I know that are fabulous on stage, but for every one of the good people, there are 10 that I just cringe at, and wonder, "how did this person get this role?"...

- Alison

I agree with Eliot, probably more "rejuvinated" than "taken over", but as to whether any of the companies will be successful only time will tell I guess, but whether they do or not, it is still a great learning curve for them:) And they should be proud of their achievements as many people wouldn't even bother to go to the effort! Goodluck them all I say, at least they are giving it a go!

On a slightly different angle: I have to say that I'm sick of finding out about grants/prizes/opportunities that are only available to this so-called 'youth'.... In this I include youth productions, government awards, literature awards for young writers etc etc etc ... this is not in any way a comment on the abilities of those who enter the arts at a young age - this is terrific and I understand the need to actively encourage younger people into the arts (if only to fight the aussie sports mentality)... my gripe is simply about the lack of similar encouragement to older 'artistes'.
... What about those of us who believed our parents in our teens when they said the arts were a hobby, did the 'real world' thing in our twenties and have only discovered what we are capable of in our thirties?

Bah humbug:)

*Any responses drawing my attention to a myriad of things I can still apply for would be very welcome:)

I am convinced that the future of Community Theatre lies in the youth of the existing theatre companies as long as they realise the responsibility that comes with them having access to the facilities. They cannot expect to have everything available to them without having to assist with the mundane jobs as well. Submissions for all types of productions from the youth are welcome by most W.A. Theatres.

Sherry wrote:
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I agree with Eliot, probably more "rejuvinated" than "taken over", but as to whether any of the companies will be successful only time will tell I guess, but whether they do or not, it is still a great learning curve for them:) And they should be proud of their achievements as many people wouldn't even bother to go to the effort! Goodluck them all I say, at least they are giving it a go!

I completely agree that the future of Community Theatre lies with the young people. However, a lot of young (and not so young) people are "gypsies", all they want is to go on stage and all the "donkey" work, ie. committees etc. are left to us "oldies" . We need young people, not only on stage, but also backstage and on committees.

I think Alison has a point there - I remember many a times being told or observing that shows had a 'high school' feel to it or it was 'high school' acting!

Puberty certainly does funny things to us. I'm thinking TEENAGE ANGST here.

In any case, its a simple, logical and practical reason for that.

LIFE EXPERIENCE.

Its the same reason why tutors at NIDA/WAAPA/VCA tell you to keep auditioning, but don't expect to be even considered until you're at least 21 (generalising here but you get my point).

At the same time - its fantastic that more youth theatre is emerging because it will aid us young actors to develop our acting skills faster. At the same time, mingling with new and strange people (pre and post cast party *smirk*) will give us a few extra notches on the LIFE experience scale.

Youth Theatre? @!#$ yeah!

Crispian.

"We're the department of youth (Ahhh) We got the Power!" (Cooper, Alice)

Go YOUTH theatre!

"Who got dah power???"

"Donny Osmond!!"

"What?????"

Eliot

I agree that everyone should be willing to do more that just turn up and perform. One of the things I am constantly hearing complaints about is that youth don't turn up to "bump down" sets, put away props etc after the show has closed. Here's an idea to make it more likely that the "young ones" will turn up.

If you own the venue, do it the next afternoon, or better yet, the next weekend. One of the most frustrating things I have experienced in Amateur Theatre is turning up at the time I have been told to hangover and all, to find that the "Old Guard" have turned up before time and started without us, getting it all done before we have a chance to help. Insult is added to injury when we are forced to sit and listen to the aforementioned "Old Guard" tell us that we never turn up to such things. If you say that you are going to start at 10:00AM, don't even THINK of starting earlier.

One group I have worked with that IS NOT guilty of this are the Darlington Theatre Players. Their Pantomime set didn't need to be moved for their next show to begin rehearsals, so they let everyone have their fun and wind down after the show, and a few weeks later they moved everything out. No fuss. Admittedly, if you're working in a booked venue such as "The Bridge" (Northbridge) or "Starlight Theatre" (Mandurah), you would obviously have to move your set ASAP.

My point (which I may not have made clear) is that there are "youth" well and truly ready and willing to do the donkey work. However, blocking their attempts to help will only foster apathy.

Well Sherry, if you're a big fan of Youth in Theatre, you'll love "Roleystone Theatre give their Regards To Broadway", at Roleystone Theatre, Brookton Highway.

On tonight, Saturday the 22nd, next Wednesday 26th, Friday 28th, and Saturday 29th.

Adults: $12
Concessions: $10 (Aged Pensioners and Students 17 years
and under)

Bookings taken by Nikki at 9490 1410.

Thanks Troy! I actually already have tickets for closing night:)

Well than tap me on the shoulder after the show and I'll buy you the drink of your choice.

Black Swan Theatre Company is proud to present it¡¯s inaugural Be Active BSX Theatre production, the West Australian premiere of Nick Enright¡¯s, SPURBOARD.

Directed by Michael Angus (From Black Swan's The Merry-Go-Round In the Sea & Plainsong) and performed by talented West Australians aged 16 ¨C 25, this play revolves around four rural teenagers in their final year at high school.

If home is a place you¡¯ve never been, how do you know where to find it? In Burradin, a town of broncs and brooding, four young people will step into an arena where lives will go on the line.

Eighteen-year-old Mitchell was born to buck. He rides the rodeo and sets his sights on the stardom of the National Finals ¨C and on Amy. But with a shotgun by his side, he has a crucial choice to make.

For his brother Greg, home is the sky. He can map the stars, even the dead ones. But with Mitchell riding him hard and Karen slipping away, Greg must decide whether mounting the spurboard is the best means of survival.

Karen knows where home isn¡¯t. With her parents fighting their own war, she makes a secret plan ¨C a bold plan that will take her to Mardi Gras, back and beyond.

For her apprentice hairdresser friend Amy, Mardi Gras doesn¡¯t quite fit and so she returns to complete the most gruelling ordeal possible: setting and perming her own mother¡¯s hair in her own mother¡¯s salon, Valda McBride¡¯s One Stop Beauty Salon.

Set against a backdrop of rural reinvention, urban urgency and family fracture SPURBOARD incites change and the courage to make it.

An exciting group of talented young West Australians have come together to bring you this vibrant and dynamic premiere production. Please join us as we show you a world where the country and city collide, where at the crossroads of our lives we see that destiny is what you make it.

Written by Nick Enright, Directed by Michael Angus, & Designed by Bryan Woltjen.

Featuring: Michelle Anstey, Nick Candy, Brodie Caporn, Amanda Cross, Penny Harrold, Warren Herbu, Kate Jenkinson, Matt Lutton, Shannon Mitchell, Simon Nichols, Carla Nirella, Tai O¡¯Reilly, Jana Sardelic, Raya Slavin, David Smith & Dickson Ybanez.

27 September ¨C 30th September & 2nd October to 7th October @ 8pm, Sundays @ 7pm.

Camelot Theatre, Mosman Park Memorial Hall, 16 Lochee Street

Bookings essential @ BOCS 9484 1133

$18 Full, $15 Concession, $10 BSX Members

Sounds Great! But how am I going ot know who you are? :)

I'm "John Proctor" in The Cruicible & "The Director" in the Audition section, that should give you enough time to recognise me.

See you there!

Speaking of Drinkies Troy, If you are still interested in being a part of toybox next year, please ring me at home 9459 3248.

Look forward to hearing from you
Sharon Mobilia

Troy

If you had of come to my party you would of met Sherry then and you would know that she is coming on closing night.

Serves you right for missing my party.

Kris

Well I'll definately look out for you:) I am looking forward to it!!! Kris has given it a great rap!!! But she's right - If you had come to her party you would have met me, so why weren't you there???? lol!!! chookas!

Just a quick note to wish BSX all the best 4 spurboard- i have lived in Perth for a year now and the last production that I performed in in Sydney was Spurboard- as part of Nick Enright's Original Cast. Its fantastic 2 c a youth co. like BSX performing modern Australian theatre and still pulling in audiences - as it is hard to get bums on seats these days.
well, thats my little note-good luck,all the best,

Paul

Fellow Spurboarder Paul,

Thanks very much for your best wishes. SPURBOARD has certainly been a challenging and fulfilling ride for us all.

Cast and crew of SPURBOARD.