Trinity Youth Theatre
My experience with Trinity Youth Theatre spans four years and five separate projects with them, from working backstage on-site, to making a film in the middle of a pandemic. Below you can see a more detailed look into what each of these projects involved.
Summer Shows 2018
In the Summer of 2018, Trinity began running it's latest version of the Backstage Youth Theatre, a program to get young people involved in the technical production aspects of productions. I was lucky enough to be the Deputy Stage Manager on Les Miserables Schools Edition and Madagascar Jr as part of this program.
This involved calling the shows, which were entirely rehearsed within two weeks, and ensuring the shows looked identical every performance for audience members.
MORT (2018)
In October 2018, I was the DSM on a production of Mort. This was a 1 and a half hour play, with excellent puppetry (see Instagram post), and a small cast. I produced the prompt script and a costume tracking sheet to aid actors in their quick changes between scenes.
Variations (NT Connections 2019)
Trinity took part in the National Theatre Connections Festival 2019, and I was the Deputy Stage Manager for our production of Variations. This show went through several revisions as we refined our approach through multiple performances at Trinity Theatre, The Oast Theatre in Tonbridge, and The Marlowe Theatre Studio in Canterbury.
Along with calling the show, I was responsible for transferring the show's tech requirements to the Marlowe, and assisted with developing the show over time.
Alice in Wonderland Jr.
Trinity's Summer shows returned in 2019, and I was involved with Alice in Wonderland Jr, as the DSM for one cast and Sound No. 1 for the other.
It was a unique experience seeing how the shows play out from different perspectives, both requiring intense focus on ensuring an excellent experience for paying audience members. This project involved developing a prompt script and a Sound No. 1 script, to ensure cast members were supported technically.
High School Musical 2
During the production, I was an Ensemble member of the cast.
Following the production, I edited the archive copy of the show, compiling a multicam edit from the performances, tidying up sound and providing a final delivery that allowed the production to be referred back to at later dates if needed.
The IT (NT CONNECTIONS 2021)
During the Covid-19 pandemic and a nationwide lockdown, Trinity produced a film of the IT, a play focussing on the mental health of young people. For this project, I assistant directed the production, mostly over Zoom, and assisted with the filming of each scene. I also edited various scenes for the production.
Producing a film under the restrictive conditions we had to work in was extremely difficult, yet rewarding, and it was great to see young people directly engaging with the project.