Youth theatre is about so much more than shows

ONE phrase every theatre kid and creator is all too familiar with is “funding cuts”. They’re the reason we can’t afford to develop plays and projects, why our secondary school drama departments haven’t been updated in decades, and why Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT) came far too close to closing its doors this summer.

SYT has proven itself an indispensable platform of opportunity, support and encouragement when it comes to cultivating a new generation of young theatre-makers. However, it’s the personal benefits of participating in youth theatre that are often ignored and overlooked by the people who deem youth theatres unworthy of funding.

I grew up singing, acting, dancing and falling in love with theatre. I was fascinated by actors and storytelling, by songs and dance numbers, by every play or musical ever put before me. I sat in awe, promising myself that one day, I’d be a part of it. And for me, getting involved with SYT was an important step towards making that happen.

In 2017, I became a member of SYT’s first National Ensemble. Throughout the year, we were given workshops on voice, movement, stage combat, physical theatre, Shakespeare, devising theatre and playwriting. We also spent an intensive five weeks devising and performing our original play This left me with such an invaluable toolbox of skills to develop, but nothing comes close to the positive impact it had on my confidence and personal growth.

I have always been very aware that my passion would only get me so far without the confidence to drive it forward. SYT aided me immensely with this. As my months in the National Ensemble went by, I stopped second-guessing my work and feeling sick when singing to an audience, stopped shaking with nerves during monologues and rehearsals, and started getting truly excited about learning my craft. I began to finally enjoy putting myself out there! This year, I am working with SYT as part of the Scottish National Youth Performing Arts Companies’ collaboration for Festival 2018 and every day I am becoming more comfortable and confident in my body, in my goals and in myself – none of which would be possible without the opportunities for growth I have received from SYT.

SYT turned my seemingly impossible dream into a serious career goal and helped me build up the skills and confidence I need to take that path. That’s why I think funding youth theatre is so important, because it’s not all about putting on shows and wearing costumes, it’s about all the greatness that happens in-between. Young people need places like SYT to grow and learn and make connections, because it’s the skills we learn and journeys we take that stay with us long after the final curtain falls on our summer productions.

Tell Us Who We Are by Scottish National Youth Performing Arts Companies runs from August 7-9.