Thursday, 12 April 2012

St Mary's Youth Theatre Sponsored Sail

Supported by The Artemis Business Centre

PLEASE SPONSOR US
Donations can be made on line at: The Saint Mary's Youth Theatre Sponsor SIte

To raise money for the St. Mary's Youth Theatre, the Managing Director of the Artemis Business Centre plans to sail a classic auxiliary yacht from Troon on the west coast of Scotland around the Mull of Kintyre, along theCaledonian Canal, and down the east coast of Scotland and England to Gibraltar Point on The Wash.

The yacht is equipped with only the basics of modern technology which consist of a depth sounder, log and a GPS set which remains switched off except for emergencies.

Departure from Troon is expected to be early May 2012 depending on weather. Prior to this the yacht will undergo a shakedown cruise in the Firth of Clyde for approximately one week to make sure that everything is in order for the voyage.

How to make a donation

Donations can be made on line at: The Saint Mary's Youth Theatre Sponsor SIte
Send a cheque to the St Mary's Youth Theatre at, 7 James Close, Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 2NS.

Sponsor Form

Download a sponsor form and start collecting for St Mary's Youth Theatre

Friday, 6 April 2012

In Concert

St Mary's Youth Theatre are appearing in concert at Garforth St Mary's Church on Saturday 28th April at 7pm. They will be singing a selection of numbers from West End and Broadway hit shows. Tickets are £5 and available from any SMYT member, Garforth Book Shop or St Mary's Church.

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.