ACTING UP ANNUAL 2021 Welcome to Acting Up’s Annual for 2021! 2020 and the start of 2021 is most certainly a time that we won’t be forgetting in a hurry. There have been so many ups and downs and changes that we have all had to adapt to. Overall, most of have stayed focused and made the most of a very difficult time. Thank goodness that here at Herts Inclusive Theatre we managed to transfer most of our weekly and holiday workshops online and we have produced some great work together. Acting Up were keen to document their experience over lockdown so far and suggested making an annual. So we would like to present this special Covid 19 edition that we have created together. Enjoy! Contents: Personal Profiles Interviews with Members of the Community & Watford Football Players Film reviews Poems by Watford Children & Youth Theatre Games & Puzzles Photo’s of Lockdown Fun ܽ Personal Profile We'd like you to get to know some of the members in Acting Up a little more so here's some fun fact about them.... Name Alex Dunson Age 26 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I did lots of singing through lockdown, I really like Shawn Mendes. I’m also really good at art so I drew lots of superhero characters over lockdown How I felt during Lockdown I felt sad and scared when lockdown had started and I didn’t know what was going on. It was a little hard not seeing my whole family. Interesting Fact about Myself I can lift a really heavy weight 8kg’s and I am at a very high level on a Spiderman computer game Favourite Drama Game 4 Corners Splat Name Alexandra White Age 39 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I really enjoy singing. Through lockdown I sang Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman and I learnt how to put sign language to the chorus How I felt during Lockdown I felt scared through lockdown but I got through it by connecting with people through Zoom. I chatted with people, did some dance classes and I took part in the HIT Musical The Show Must Go Online. This made me feel happy as I was taking part in something and I could focus on a performance. I learnt new acting and singing skills. Interesting Fact about Myself I was in Eastenders and I met Pat Butcher Favourite Drama Game Four Corners Name Gemma Fletcher Age 27 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I practised singing my favourite song Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked. I also spent my time doing lots of colouring in. How I felt during Lockdown Weird. Tried to help others understand what was going on and that we are all going through the same thing. Interesting Fact about Myself I can balance a teaspoon on my nose. I have also visited the BBC Television Studios Favourite Drama Game I like playing ‘What are you doing’. I like this game because of the way people do the actions and what people say it really makes me laugh Name Matthew Snell Age 49 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I Wrote a story & took photos when I went out for walks. I lost 3 stone in weight. I recorded a song with my choir it’s called Gin & Tonic How I felt during Lockdown I felt a bit strange at first because I didn’t know what was going on. I moved in with my brother and he taught me how to cook, I lost 3 stone in weight. I walked for an hour a day and found that this helped me take my mind off things and I listened to music. This also helped. Alexa, my new friend also helped me by saying positive things through the speaker throughout the day. Interesting Fact about Myself I am a volunteer at the London Dungeons. Every year at halloween I dress up as a zombie and scare people. Favourite Drama Game Anyone Who? I like it because you find things out about people Name Nick Brown Age 35 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I Played Guitar, I like playing country music. I practise so I can play at my mum’s and friends house at Christmas time. How I felt during Lockdown I don’t have much to say about how I felt. I saw my Mum online but not many other people Interesting Fact about Myself I like playing pranks on all my friends Favourite Drama Game I like them all Name Rik-Star Age 30 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I decorated lots of my own t-shirts throughout the lockdown. My favourite was the one I did for the NHS, it had a big rainbow on the front. I also baked lots of cakes and shared them with my neighbours How I felt during Lockdown I was sad during lockdown as I missed Acting Up andall my friends at HIT.I enjoyed making cakes for my neighbours and I did loads of other stuff for the community. I made art stuff and decorated my front garden and sang for my neighbours, this helped me feel more happy and gave me something to focus on Interesting Fact about Myself I am Watford Football Club's biggest fan. I am alsovery good at accents, especially Boris Johnson Favourite Drama Game 4 Corners Name Saskia Herdman Age 29 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown Singing, drama, storytelling, walks -How I felt during Lockdown Happy as got to see lots of people on zoom, in my garden and got to spend lots of time with my Mum Interesting Fact about Myself One Christmas I helped Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall decorate her Christmas Tree at Clarence House Favourite Drama Game Anything where we have to pull a funny face Name Zara Little Age 30 What I got up to through Covid 19 Lockdown I watched lots of films and I watched my favourite film The Lion KIng. It has my favourite actor in it Beyonce, she plays the character Nala. How I felt during Lockdown I felt a bit weird. I don't like wearing masks. I got to go to Tesco, that made me feel a bit better but mainly uncomfortable when I left the house. But no I’m feeling ok now. Interesting Fact about Myself I was born in Norfolk, that’s where my dad lives. I visit him sometimes, I can’t remember the last time I saw him. My sister lives there as well. When I go there I watch TV and go for walks. Favourite Drama Game Musical chairs, because I like moving around Interviews with Members of the Community We wanted to find out how other members of the community coped with lockdown so we approached a policeman, doctor, musican & a person that works at a theatre to ask.. SERGEANT DANIEL AMOS SOUTH OXHEY POLICE Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic? I have spent the majority of the time working during the initial lockdown and then managing the response in my police role to ensure public safety. Not a lot changed for myself as I could not work from home, but it was strange at first wearing face masks and keeping a safe distance from others. It was a concerning time but the seeing the general publics’ overwhelming support for the public services made the whole experience a lot easier to get through. Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020? I am most proud of the achievement of my team and the challenges they faced during CV19 and how impressively well they kept a positive response to policing the Government’s strategic response. Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time? COVID19 IS OVER!!!!!!!!! Question 4 -Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to the theatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most? My wife and I love attending London to watch the Theatre and we cannot wait to book a hotel, lovely dinner and see a show. Question 5 - Do you have a party trick or secret talent? Sadly not, I try and play golf but that is about it ALISON LIMERICK SINGER Question 1 - What has your experience been and how have you felt throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic? It’s been surreal. With almost all my live work cancelled I’ve been at home trying to stay sane (not sure I am succeeding) ! Question 2 - What achievement are you most proud of in 2020? To quote Stephen Sondheim ‘I’m still here’ . oh and I manage to squeak out a single with my Jazz project, Algorisms, right before the first lockdown started. The last band gig I did was the only live promotion we managed to do for its release. Not the best timing LOL. Question 3 - What headline would you like to see in the newspaper in a year's time?“ COVID-19 Defeated, lookout climate change, you’re next!” Question 4 - Herts Inclusive Theatre is a theatre group and we have all missed going to the theatre. What area of the arts world are you missing the most? All of them! Ballet and contemporary dance, classical music and modern plays. Musicals, youth theatre and everything in between.