Growing Pains - Windmill Young Actors

As any venture grows it becomes essential to continually return to the vision of that venture so as not to lose sight of why you started in the first place. So here's a reminder -

Windmill Young Actors celebrates collaborative and ensemble work in all its forms. Coming from extremely diverse backgrounds, professional director, writer and actor, Ben Murray-Watson and award winning theatre director and actor Tanushka Marah, bring to Acting Club a fantastic mixture of international physical and text based methods. We see everyone who comes to us as 'a young actor' and so aim to give a professional and creative experience to all. We believe that through structured rehearsal and team work, a young ensemble can create thought-provoking, exciting and passionate performance suitable for everyone. Whether it is to improve skills or to increase confidence, Windmill Young Actors will inspire wonderfully rounded, centred and focused young performers. Through the group experience of creating unique pieces of theatre we aim to equip the next generation of performers with the tools to express themselves both freely and imaginatively.

And so the question becomes, how do we fulfil vision as we grow?

One of the hardest things that all directors and a lot of teachers struggle with is how to give the very best individual tuition whilst keeping the ensemble working together as one. It is vital when working with young actors to embrace their natural skill whilst stoking further desire for development and challenge.

It is a wonderful problem that so many people want to join Windmill Young Actors but in order to keep the vision strong we need to develop as a youth theatre. Whether this means we split into two groups on a Saturday is unclear. However, the point remains that if the students aren't feeling as involved as they want, as challenged as they need and as empowered as is core to what we teach, then we need to look closely at how to move forward. I have outlined three things below on how I believe we are to grow whilst keeping vision a priority:-

1) Focus on the individual

Every young performer has a unique style and skill level. In order to both embrace that style and improve that skill level, a certain amount of attention must be given to that individual. They must be given the opportunity to explore, develop and fail. I talk of failing in this context as being given a second chance. As actors, one of the greatest assets of training is being given the space to try out new things in a safe and non-judgemental environment. For children, this becomes hugely beneficial for their entire development. They can then quickly ascertain their own skill level, where they need to work hard and also what they enjoy. If we lose the ability to give attention to each member uniquely then we lose the opportunity for that individual to reach their fullest potential. As the group gets bigger it becomes harder for the directors to give that vital detailed individual tuition.

Therefore, options could be that the group splits into two or that more advanced members of the club take on leadership positions.

2) Focus on the ensemble/community

If individuals feel valued then they will naturally give back to the community within which they are working. If individuals feel empowered then they will lead within the ensemble. But it is important to maintain an overall structure and discipline within the group. We need to consistently go back to vision, go back to the why. We aren't simply working towards nice little, slightly embarrassing performances, we are working towards professional level production. The group must feel that it is working towards the same endgame and working well together. A wonderful example of this was when Anna Simmonds recently got cast in Attercop Films short film, 'Treasures' which I wrote and directed. Other members of Windmill Young Actors fully supported and celebrated her. This profession becomes so much more manageable and enjoyable when we are happy to work as a mutually supportive team. Keeping this sense of ensemble and community is vital to sustained and healthy growth.

As of next term we will need to begin to create a larger sense of identity for the youth theatre.

3) Focus on showcase

If we stay locked in our own little world within Windmill Young Actors then we will become stifled. By taking skills and performances out into the world, we create further challenge. We put ourselves in an environment to be criticised or applauded. At a young age it is vital to understand that this is a difficult and highly critical profession. You need only look at Frankie Cocozza on 'X-Factor' this week to see that performance at the highest level is hard. If we are to create well rounded, experienced and strong spirited performers then we need to embrace the idea of taking our work into the wider world.

Tanushka and I are constantly looking at how this is to be done but realise we have more to do.

By empowering the individual in a supportive and creative ensemble we will hope to establish a model for sustained healthy growth where all involved are challenged, develop well and have fun.