ST MARY'S YOUTH THEATRE: SUMMER SCHOOLS PROVE A HIT WITH YOUNGSTERS

Sunday, 26 August 2007

SUMMER SCHOOLS PROVE A HIT WITH YOUNGSTERS

Youngsters have been busy honing their theatre skills at a series of week long summer schools in Garforth.
A trio of Summer Schools have been held over recent weeks by St Mary's Youth Theatre.Each provided an opportunity for children to practice their dancing, singing and acting skills before performing in front of parents.They were held at SMYT's base at Green Lane Primary School on Ribblesdale Avenue.

Dates for the Summer Schools 2008 are

Mon 28th July- Fri 1st August
Mon 4th Aug - Fri 8th August
Mon 11th Aug - Fri 15th August

* For further details of 2008 summer schools please contact Steve Archdale at steve.archdale@btinternet.com.

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WHO ARE WE

St. Mary's Youth Theatre was formed in August 1993 by Steve Archdale who was concerned about the increasing problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the teenage community of Garforth. With so little for the youngsters to do, especially in the field of theatre arts and drama, the idea of creating a youth theatre seemed appropriate.

A cast of 60+ with ages ranging from 8 to 22 auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all were successful, no one was turned away. The show was rehearsed and performed in 8 weeks to thunderous acclaim in a church hall converted into a Pharaoh's tomb by a local artist. The following week they returned eager to find out what they were doing next. What began as a one-off production became the start of many shows to come.

A disastrous fire in 1995 wrecked their headquarters, destroying costumes, props and sets. This could easily have been the end of SMYT but as a result they have pulled together and grown stronger gradually replacing their losses. As members of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild they perform at the new, Leeds Carriageworks theatre which is in the Millenium Square, mainly musicals (i.e., Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Children of Eden, etc.). The National Theatre Connections scheme gives the group the chance to perform new plays written by the very best writers. In 2002 they were fortunate to perform at the Royal National Theatre itself…what an experience! Their latest productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Honk, 17, Feather Boy,The Musicians,We Will Rock You, Rent, Our House, Les Miserables, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Passion, Our Cousin Flo, Scrooge, Peter Pan, Whistle Down The Wind and Annie.

SMYT are now based, rehearse and perform at Green Lane Academy and St Mary's Church, Garforth, Leeds and charge a yearly subscription fee of £40.