Annual Report 2006/07
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Scotland’s National Theatre ‘For & By’ Young People Annual Report 2006/07 1976/77 -2006/07 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH THEATRE ARTS Annual Report 2006/07 4 Chairman’s Report 5 Artistic Director’s Report 6 National Achievement 8 Summer Festival 12 Weekly Classes / Training 13 National Roadshow 14 SYT Productions 18 Special Projects 22 Old Sheriff Court 24 Patrons / Board of Directors / Staff 26 Partners and Collaborators / Conclusion Scottish Youth Theatre – giving young people in Scotland the opportunity to explore and to reach their creative potential through a quality theatre arts experience. Scottish Youth Theatre is privileged to receive the support of its Patrons. The company thanks them for their time and consideration. SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE IS A MEMBER OF THE SCOTTISH THEATRE COMMUNITY FRONT COVER: Theatre Dedication, Brian Cox, Harry Warnock and Ashleigh Kate Wilson. INSIDE FRONT COVER: TOP TO BOTTOM: Tales From Arabian Nights; The Pink Room, Old Sheriff Design and production: Wag Design Print: TPS Court; Rehearsals for When A Star Falls; The Man of the Crowd and Photography: Anthony Brannan, Drew Farrell, Mark Hamilton, Wee MacGreegor. Martin Hunter, Peter Sandground, Alan Wylie Annual Report 2006/07 Annual Report 2006/07 4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 1976/77 - 2006/07 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH THEATRE ARTS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT 5 2006/07 30 years of excellence Ralph Leishman, Acting Chairman of Scottish Youth Theatre’s Mary McCluskey, Artistic Director (Chief Executive) of Scottish Board of Directors, marks a year of consolidation in Scottish Youth Theatre... anniversaries, awards, accolades. Youth Theatre’s new home. 2006/07 was planned to be a year of or in response to requests from outside bodies, 1976/77 - 2006/07 – 30 Years of in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow where consolidation in order to give time for to deliver its outreach and social inclusion Excellence in Youth Theatre Arts – for 266 young people from all around Scotland settling into our new home in the Old activities in diverse areas of Scotland. over 30 years Scottish Youth Theatre has and beyond participated in 1 of 7 courses Sheriff Court in Glasgow’s Merchant been giving children and young people producing 9 theatrical productions in 4 of City. Yet, nevertheless, a new programme Summer Festival 2006 again brought in Scotland a wide variety of Scotland’s leading venues. From small of weekly classes was successfully launched together participants from all over Scotland opportunities to participate in high beginnings, indeed! in Aberdeen, based at His Majesty’s Theatre, and beyond for courses at the Citizens’ quality theatre arts activities. Over the and our Artistic Director, Mary McCluskey, Theatre, Glasgow, the Tramway and the years these have included: residential and Although, the Summer Festival has remained found time to offer mentoring support to the Macrobert Arts Centre. Being in our own non-residential theatre courses; workshop the company’s flagship event of the annual young Toronto Youth Theatre. home enabled Scottish Youth Theatre to and performance / projects in their local areas; programme of work, Scottish Youth Theatre reinstate Easter Courses and an October Week young actor, director and playwright schemes; itself has grown to encompass so much more. In addition to this international professional Theatre Toolbox at the Old Sheriff Court. weekly drama classes; and television and In any one year we reach tens of thousands recognition of her expertise, Mary collected SYT Productions had a busy year, taking radio courses. The company has operated all of children and young people through our 2 well deserved awards at home. In March Geordie to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards around Scotland all year round serving not National Roadshow, Weekly Drama Classes, 2007, she was awarded the accolade of 50th Anniversary Gala, and doing a series of only young participants but also their teachers, SYT Productions and Special Projects. Our Woman of Influence, 2007 at the 7th Annual NHS Healthy Aging Performance Projects, leaders and tutors. The Youth Theatre has new home here at the Old Sheriff Court has Awards Ceremony hosted by children's Roald Dahl Day, Titus Andronicus and a new established itself as a leading employer of allowed the company to access even more charity NCH Scotland. In December 2006, and well received production on the theme professional freelance theatre practitioners. children and young people. It has also Mary received recognition at the Great Scot of inclusion, When A Star Falls. Scottish Youth Theatre has trained or enabled our experienced staff to share ‘best Awards following a nomination submitted by employed many of Scotland’s leading practice’ in youth theatre arts delivery with The announcement by the Scottish Arts a Scottish Youth Theatre participant. professionals in theatre, film, television and teachers, tutors and youth theatre leaders. Council that Scottish Youth Theatre had Scottish Youth Theatre was also recognised radio. However, Scottish Youth Theatre is been awarded Foundation Company status Everyone at Scottish Youth Theatre appreciates during the year in the Young Scot and Lord not just about producing media stars and gave a tremendous boost both to confidence the legacy our predecessors have handed on Provost’s Awards. practitioners. It has also made contact with and finances. The new income stream from to us. If it weren’t for the likes of Gareth tens of thousands of participants who have Weekly classes in Glasgow have settled in building hires to other arts and public sector Wardell, our first Artistic Director and gone on to become well rounded cultured well at the Old Sheriff Court, where organisations for rehearsals, conferences and Magnus Magnusson, the first Chair of the citizens of Scotland who work in all types of participants are really enjoying once again events provided a welcome diversification. Board; the creative team of Robin Peoples, vocations and professions. having their own home venue. Over 700 We look forward to extending the opportunity Artistic Director, Carolyn Lappin, General young people a term attend weekly classes to use our fantastic new venue at the Old As Scottish Youth Theatre celebrates its 30th Manager and Tom Kinninmont, Chair – they in Glasgow and in Edinburgh at the Festival Sheriff Court to the corporate sector in the Birthday, it seems the right time to reflect on brought Scottish Youth Theatre to Glasgow Theatre, and numbers are rising well year ahead. how Scotland’s National Theatre ‘for & by’ and the Old Athenaeum; the former Chairs towards capacity in Aberdeen. young people has developed since 1976. of the Board, Ronald Singleton, Jim Service Thanks are due to all members of staff, core On 6th December 1976 a group of interested and Bryan Beattie; and the many other Having a base once again has enabled the and freelance, without whose enthusiasm people from the worlds of theatre, education, dedicated staff and Board members who company to progress with its training and tireless efforts none of this would be film and television came together at the have supported the company over the years, initiatives. The In-House Apprenticeship possible. In addition, without the generous behest of Gareth Wardell, a drama lecturer Scottish Youth Theatre would not be the Scheme and Tutor / Leaders Training Scheme, donations of time and advice from our at Moray House, to discuss the establishment power house of creativity and excellence delivered by the Associate Directors, offered Patrons and Board volunteers, we could not of a national youth theatre for Scotland. that it is today. excellent advice and training. Discussions have achieved so much. Particular thanks progressed during the year with academic must go to Richard Muir, Chair of the PR Mary McCluskey As a direct result of that meeting a working partners towards offering certificated courses and Fundraising Committee and our Chair, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, group was set up to move the idea forward. SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS for tutors and establishing a programme of Harry Warnock, who stood down during the This led to the founding of the Scottish research into the impacts of youth theatre year. Harry’s leadership and guidance over Youth Theatre and the organisation of the activities. These exciting developments the past few years was instrumental in our first ever Summer Festival in July 1977. should come to fruition during the next year. now occupying our fantastic new home at Scottish Youth Theatre’s first annual Summer the Old Sheriff Court. We send him thanks Festival involved 40 young people from all The National Roadshow, which offers a series and best wishes. of free drama sessions and chats, toured all over Scotland working in Edinburgh with over Scotland once again last year. In addition, Ralph Leishman theatre professionals over a four week period Scottish Youth Theatre continued to use its ACTING CHAIR, to create 2 theatrical productions Oh, What A SCOTTISH YOUTH THEATRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Special Projects, either initiated by the Youth Lovely Peace and Just A Joust. This compares Ashleigh Kate Wilson, Brian Cox, Kenny Theatre, in partnership with other organisations with our Summer Festival 2006 taking place McGlashan, Mary McCluskey and Harry Warnock. Annual Report 2006/07 Annual Report 2006/07 6 NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT Scottish Youth Theatre – giving young people in Scotland the opportunity to explore and to reach their creative potential through a quality theatre arts experience. NATIONAL