Fifteen young people, aged 6- to 13-years-old, participated in a singing workshop recently.
The 3-day school holiday programme was offered by Thames Music And Drama.
“We have a real commitment to foster the love of theatre in the next generation, ” Thames Music and Drama (MAD) president Diane Connors said.
“It is important to the long-term sustainability of the group, and forms part of our strategic plan.”
The community theatre organisation employs trained facilitators to teach a variety of theatre craft skills – from technical work, acting, movement and singing. The latest involved local singing teacher Tristan Fisher imparting his knowledge around music theory, how to avoid damaging your voice, delivery power through use of your “squidgy bits” and listening to each other.
Tristan inspired the youngsters with tales of his journey so far. In the early days, he first appeared as Freidrich Von Trapp in The Sound of Music for Thames Musical Theatre as a child himself.
Within a few years, he was taking lead roles before heading off to study music at university, and eventually becoming a teacher.
However, the group was most impressed with the fact that he had flown to America for a ceremony after a piece he composed for a short animated film was nominated for an award. He certainly was multi-talented and was a real hit with the rangitahi, Ms Connors said.
The culmination of the workshop was a showcase to their family and friends.
They demonstrated their warm up exercises, their understanding of sheet music and then performed three songs from Broadway hit musicals: When I Grow Up from Matilda; Let it Go from Frozen and Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray.
The students are also very excited to perform these songs again in front of a more “impartial” audience, as they take to the stage next month with an adult ensemble to present Musical Theatre International (MTI)’s All Together Now! global event.
All Together Now! is a fundraising concert to celebrate local theatre. MTI, as right holders, have created the revue to help theatres recover after all the challenges of Covid-19.
On the weekend of November 12-14, more than 2400 school and community theatre groups across 44 countries and territories will stage All Together Now!
“We often talk about our “theatre family,” Ms Connors said, “but this feels even more special. We are connecting with theatre enthusiasts across the globe. In today’s environment, where we can feel solated and alone, it is just wonderful to remember that we’re all in this together.”
DETAILS: Tickets for the concert are on sale now at www.thamesmad.co.
By KELLEY TANTAU
