The Next Stage Youth Autumn term concluded on Sunday. The last ten weeks has seen over 50 talented young actors explore and strengthen a wide variety of acting techniques - from improvisation and mime to fight choreography and working from scripts. The group has had a large number of new members this term and we are delighted to have more boys than ever currently attending Next Stage Youth. All the members have now been cast in extracts from either Sparkleshark or Daisy Pulls It Off in order to perform in the Mid-Somerset Festival of Speech and Drama in March 2010.

The end of term was celebrated in style with a Christmas party. The youngsters came armed with antlers, santa hats and mistletoe and the adult tutors were more than willing to join in the festivities! We welcomed back Tom Ash-Miles, an ex-Youth member who is currently attending the Oxford School of Drama, who led two high-energy warmup games. Hayley, dressed as Mrs Claus, had brought a many-layered Christmas parcel which held a sweet at each layer but also a forfeit… and Yvonne had everyone in stitches - literally - as teams of youngsters tried to unravel themselves from a knot into a circle without letting go of their teammates’ hands - see the pictures below!

The afternoon ended with party food upstairs, and a special cake for Nicci Whitwham who turned 18 on the day. Next Stage Youth now has a break for Christmas, with the new Spring Term starting on Sunday 10th January 2010. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members!