The Hobbit

NWTC Youth Theatre prepares!

Led by Julie Fraser and co-directed by Julie and Natalia Sanchez, this year's aim is to build on last year’s work and to continue to focus on (and invest in) various acting techniques open to us when telling a story.

Youth Theatre meetings: The group began the process at the end of September 2016, meeting each Saturday morning for two hours. By Christmas the decision was taken to put on a show as the participants and teams indicated they would prefer a show this year rather than a share of work. From January the group meet each week for four hours and some are called back for a further two hours work.

This wonderful play offers us some extraordinary challenges to get our creativity flowing! From hobbits, dwarves, elves, trolls, wolves, humans not to mention spiders, Gollum and a wizard there really is something for everyone and fun for all. The script has been adapted for stage and all characters (some with lines, some without) demand an exploration of ways to bring the story to life. All roles are open to any gender – it’s the energy of the character we are looking for.

General workshops kicked off on 17 September by exploring how best to tell our story of The Hobbit. The youth group had extensive auditions (acting, voice, movement, singing and enunciation auditions) on 12 November and rehearsals commenced on November 19th. Casting was announced on 19 November and the group is now deep in the rehearsal process.  External tutors have been invited for specific skill training: commedia dell arte (October by Mitch Mitchelson), fighting  (January-  with  Claire Richardson and concentration/listening skills (January with visiting tutor Philippa Strandberg-Long).