We all go to the theatre for the same reason, we sit in the audience and we hope the production we are about to see does at least one of a few things. We expect to laugh or cry at the appropriate time, we want to clap loudly or boo and hiss hysterically, we hope that at some point during the production we are brave enough to stand and applaud if we feel that the performance warrants such a reaction. Many of us will sit in the cafe/bar afterwards and offer critic on the best and worst bits of the show and how we would have done things differently given the chance. We all go to the theatre to be moved in some way and you find that those who can’t open their mind wide enough don’t go to the theatre at all.
The large majority of people sit and watch a film or a theatrical presentation and comment on the same things, human nature means that often the negatives are highlighted instead of the positives and audiences are not concerned about how the show was put together so long as what they are watching is of good quality and entertaining. Ticket price tends to be the factor that dictates our levels of expectation but some people struggle to differentiate between what is expected from professional performers working with a large budget for staging costume, lighting, sound, make -up and set design and the work of youth theatre productions and school plays.
I realise that the audience do not pay their ticket price to consider anything other than the quality of what they are offered, and I don’t expect them to sit their and consider how the production was put together. We don’t except eating undercooked food in a restaurant because the chef is only “Learning” in the same way we don’t want our football teams to play “Youngsters” if it means that this will weaken our chances against the opposition. The public however is the public, meaning the audience of a youth theatre production are often as hard to please as those who attend professional theatres on a regular basis.
Speaking from my own experience of youth theatre however, there is one “MASSIVE” difference to consider. The journey that the performers have been on is “ALWAYS” far more important that the quality of the production. Think of it like an Iceberg, you may see just 5% of a child’s overall achievement. Over the last 15 years I have had the opportunity to see where the other 95% comes from, here are 10 things that the audience didn’t see at their latest youth theatre production.
1: Unbreakable Friendships
They say there are no friends like drama school friends. People from every walk of life, social class and culture all brought together by one shared passion. Your drama school friends have seen you at your lowest when you didn’t get the part you always wanted and they where by your side when you conquered your biggest fear. These are not friends you have grown up with and tolerate because you have always known them, these are friends who let you be yourself and love you for who you are. True Friends.
2: The Building of Confidence
Confidence is built by achieving things no matter how small. Like the way a baby gets better at walking the more confident they get. Confidence is as important to humans as water is to fish. Without it they cannot survive, they will never be the person they want to be and will never fulfil any potential they may have had. No matter how small the part, it is going some way to building confidence in that child. Always consider that the child with the leading role was probably once the child hiding at the back, they will have always had the talent but its the confidence that has brought them to the front.
3: The Juggling of Different Characters
Youth theatre productions are usually home to many different types of children at very different points in their personal and social development. The children that act very confident are usually the ones who need the most support. Often students are asked to play a part when they are not entirely sure who they are. They juggle, self image, self confidence issues, friendships, relationships, puberty, exams, pressure from home and on top of all that you are asking them to play the part of someone else. (can be a confusing time)
4: The Meaning of Hard Work
In life everyone eventually learns that you get out what you put in. There is no exception to that rule. The quicker we learn that lesson the less time we waste and the quicker we can go about realising our ambitions. During the making of any production, some youngsters will have dropped out for some reason or another. Those that have made it to stage, despite how good they may be at the job they’re doing, have shown great commitment, dedication and the all important Hard Work.
5: The Understanding of Team Work
Theatrical/ Film Productions have many moving parts, all responsible for making the show what it is. Even the most basic of productions will have to consider the script, actors, set design, make up, costume, props, sound, lights, dance, marketing. More often than not these huge jobs are picked up by two or three people and in some cases are picked up by only one. Over the years I have understood the vast importance of ‘Team Work’ and have loved the feeling that comes with being in that team. The actors who take part in youth theatre productions have started to build respect for each other and the jobs that others do and although the audience often make judgements on the more confident performers with comments like, “She thinks it’s all about her” the chances are they think the total opposite.
6: The Sense of Worth
Some people go through life feeling worthless and unwanted. May never have a meaningful relationship or have someone to turn to when they need it. There are people who have never been encouraged or praised when they have done right but are always reminded when they have done wrong. The chances are these people where never involved in a youth theatre production or their local school play. Being part of a successful cast gives EVERYONE an overwhelming feeling of belonging and self worth. They are praised by each other then praised by the applause of the crowd. This gives young people a great starting point in life, so no matter how good you think the play is in comparison to that you saw on London’s West End, stand and applaud as you may change someone’s life.
7: Dealing with Pressure
Asking a young person to stand on stage in front of hundreds of people with the understanding that everything could go wrong is like asking an adult to stand on the stage in the same situation. (Few would do it) We can all sit in a professional theatre and feel very happy that we could never do what they do, but do we consider how hard that must be for a child. Walking on stage is like walking into a new job or a new school. You don’t want to let anyone down and you are determined to make others proud, you want to be the best you can be but yet you don’t want your cast mates to think you are showing off. Performers are always operating under huge pressure and the sooner young people do it, the more capable they are of coping with life’s pressures. Always ask yourself. “Would you do it”?
8: Excepting Weakness and Embracing Strength
A cast is usually made up of many different types of child, with very different skills. There is always the girl or boy with the amazing voice, or the great dancer who can do things that nobody else can. There will be he/she that can remember lines at a glance or the student who can do 20 different accents. Being in this kind of environment often makes young people more determined and focussed on improving their own skills which can only be a positive. More importantly young people learn that in life you cant be good at everything which helps to ease the pressure they put on themselves.
9: The Sense of Pride
Thankfully in youth theatre, the audience is largely made up of parents, grandparents, friends and family that come to show unconditional support to their loved one. Although the cast of the play feel a huge sense of pride in their own achievement this is far outweighed by the pride the audience have in their very own superstar. This brings families closer together and that is something which is not to be underestimated.
10: Lasting Memories
Above all else, youth theatre productions fill a child’s head with positivity and a sense of achievement. For years they can look back and share stories and those special moments that only the cast are aware of. I would say 90% of these memories are things that have happened out of sight of the audience. You don’t often here children saying “Remember when I sung that song in act 1 and everyone clapped” its more ” Remember when I sung that song and then walked off stage and banged my head on the speaker”.
These are the things that money can’t buy, but next time you are sat in the audience of a youth theatre production where you can’t guarantee the quality. Take heart in the fact that the children involved are probably having the time of their lives.