NEWPORT YOUTH THEATRE COSYING UP FOR THE WINTER AT COSY HALL!
Responding to clamours for more, Newport Youth Theatre (NYT) is to return to Newport in November with its specialist brand of make-believe magic. With its community focus and excellent facilities, the Youth Theatre has chosen to nestle into Thursday evenings at Cosy Hall.
To launch their stay at Cosy Hall, the NYT are running two taster sessions on Thursday 9th November. At 4pm, there will be a LAMDA Club taster and, at 5.30pm, there will be a Drama Club taster. Find ‘Newport Youth Theatre – Thursdays’ on Eventbrite to reserve your child’s place (https://NYT.eventbrite.co.uk).
The Drama Club is for 7 to 10 year olds (younger KS2 children) who want to have relaxed fun developing their drama skills; our first theme will be pantomime tales.
The LAMDA Club is for 9 to 13 year olds (older KS2/KS3 children) who would enjoy developing their speech and drama skills through learning scripts and being coached towards achieving a LAMDA qualification on the 29th/30th June weekend next year. LAMDA Exams is the Speech and Drama equivalent of Music exams. LAMDA Exams is a recognised awarding organisation by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations in England).
Simon Broad, Cosy Hall Manager, said, “I am very pleased that Newport Youth Theatre has chosen Cosy Hall as its venue, especially with our previous work with theatre production and teaching organisations. This is a splendid opportunity for local children to develop their drama skills and self-confidence in a fun, safe and friendly environment. Cosy Hall looks forward to seeing NYT thrive and develop.”
Hannah de Quincey, the drama teacher/theatre director behind NYT, shared: “I’m excited about Newport Youth Theatre starting out at Cosy Hall. The back story of Cosy Hall really appeals as well as the fact it can host us for a good length of time on a regular weekday evening so there is potential for the Youth Theatre to grow. I’m also excited about adding the LAMDA Club to our offer as I can share my theatre expertise more fully with the local community. Whilst the Drama Club is a fabulous vehicle for younger children to progress in many life skills, LAMDA exams are an excellent vehicle for older children/young people to gain experience and qualifications that extend their abilities and add to their Personal Statements and CVs.”
In December last year, Hannah even took a Grade 6 LAMDA Speaking Verse and Prose exam herself to experience what it’s like for her pupils and train herself up! She achieved a Distinction despite exam nerves – a fond nugget of wisdom she often dishes out to her students is to quote Woody Allen, ‘80% of success is showing up’.
For the exam, she learnt the poem ‘Ah, Ah’ by Joy Harjo, an inspiring Native American poet and musician, and an extract from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (a favourite classic!) and improved her knowledge of breathing techniques. She hugely enjoyed Lucy Willis of Voice Confidence’s superb coaching, which was funded by an Arts Council grant. From 2019-2021, Hannah was privileged to teach LAMDA part-time alongside Mrs Willis at Wrekin College.
Lucy Willis of Voice Confidence shared how pleased she was when hearing of NYT’s new venue: “Hannah has a great passion for engaging young people in community theatre. Along with her wealth of experience in theatre direction, Hannah’s teaching practice encourages freedom to share creative ideas in a safe environment. By working collaboratively, she has the advanced skills to help transform other people’s imaginative thoughts and bring them to life on stage. Cosy Hall sounds like the ideal nurturing space for Hannah to provide local young people the opportunity to explore the wonders of drama, whilst trailblazing the proven health benefits of putting on a performance.”
Godfrey Spur, one of the twelve trustees of Cosy Hall Community Trust, kindly volunteered to watch and give feedback on a dress rehearsal run of ‘Humphrey Kynaston’ back in June. In conversation, Godfrey reminded Hannah to explore Cosy Hall as a venue option for the Youth Theatre. Upon meeting Simon, Cosy Hall’s Manager and looking around the venue in September, Hannah was sold.
Volunteers aged 14+ are also an integral part of the success of the Youth Theatre’s work; whilst having fun nurturing the town’s children, those who volunteer also grow excellent transferable skills – many discover or rediscover their creativity and how great they are at performing. If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, please email your CV to hannah@moonstruckastronaut.com.
NYT are very grateful for the support of Waitrose and Church Aston Parish Council, which are the first to help fund this fantastic youth arts project. If any local businesses are also able to lend a helping hand with the costs of the youth theatre and reduce barriers to access for our children, please get in touch.