Guest Writer Segment
- Stage Scuttlebutt
- Nov 7, 2019
- 5 min read
In this article we launch our new “Guest Writer Segment”! This new segment hopes to bring together the views, opinions and experiences from the theatre world, so we can share them with a larger audience and get more people involved in theatre.
The first in our new segment is written by Emily Reid! Emily has been involved in theatre from a young age and shares her experiences below in her own words...
(P.S Do look out for her upcoming shows "Fame!" and "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and how you can buy tickets at the end of the article!)
"Please Sir, can I have some more" - Oliver!
I stepped onto my first 'stage' in the leading role of Nancy in my Primary 7 show of Oliver! I remember the utter thrill and exhilaration as I stepped through the make-shift curtains to look out to a sea of faces - all of our mums and dads, brothers and sisters and grandparents, all smiling and looking on, full of support. I remember how proud my family were of me - I had never attended any drama or musical theatre classes and yet here I was giving it my all as a leading lady. I knew it was at this moment that I was hit with the theatre bug...
"Once you climb up a mountain, you can't back down" - Footloose
During my time at secondary school I had smaller roles, as I wasn't a strong enough singer and neither was I someone who had been to dance classes, however I still threw myself into two productions as an ensemble member. Surprisingly, my role as Tree Number 1 in the Wizard of Oz garnered the attention of many of my classmates who were surprised at how funny I was.
As a quiet girl throughout my academic years, I continued to keep my head down, despite taking part in the shows. I needed a confidence boost, and that opportunity arrived when I was accepted in to university.
"You're the devil in disguise" - All Shook Up!
I had researched different musical societies before I began studying, and was quickly signing up to Student Show and Treading the Boards Musical Society (or TTB for short). After a daunting audition for TTB (due to the fact that I was full of the cold and could barely talk, let alone sing!) I landed an ensemble role in their 25th anniversary production, "Sweet Charity". I was rehearsing with some incredibly talented people and so never expected to be in any big dance numbers - as I was used to with previous shows - however the wonderful choreographing team had as many people as was feasible in all dances! I was surprised but thrilled - I took to the stage on opening night and had a ball!
I had further amazing experiences in ensemble roles in TTBs production of "Our House" and "Student Shows Tilly Elliot". Student Show proved to be a further confidence boost as I took to the stage of His Majesty's Theatre to perform in front of hundreds and at times, over one thousand people!
In third year I achieved something I never thought would be possible. I landed my first named role as Mayor Matilda in TTBs "All Shook Up". Not only was I the antagonist but I had my first ever solo! I sung Devil in Disguise to over 300 people and the reaction was incredible! I never in a million years thought I would be capable of that, but there I was!
It was clear musical theatre had become a part of my life, but I had bigger ambitions and so I took a leap...
"I'm so happy that I'm crying" - Cry-Baby
One day whilst browsing musicals on YouTube I stumbled upon a lesser known John Walker film called Cry-Baby, and then discovered it had been made into a musical. It was incredibly cheesy and mocked many musicals and romantic films. After reading about it and watching a number of clips on the internet I remember saying to myself that I would love to direct the musical if the opportunity were ever to arise.
Fast forward to the TTB AGM 2018. I put myself forward for Assistant Director and was lucky enough to be voted in! I was so excited and after meeting the rest of the production team and committee we were eager to get started. I couldn't believe it when it was discussed, and eventually decided upon, that "Cry-Baby" would be TTBs 29th production! We got busy auditioning approximately 30 talented individuals and had the most stressful time assigning roles! Once we had announced the cast we jumped into rehearsals!
We planned and blocked Act 1, and we were so pleased with how it turned out. It was slick and well polished and as a production team we were really proud, as we were all new to our roles. We hit bumps in the road as we began to block Act 2. Time was racing on and we were struggling to source props, set and costumes. We were also restricted to a small budget, and we were very quickly all stressing. The cast, through no fault of their own, were struggling with musical numbers and I felt helpless as I was unable to help with their singing. When show week arrived myself and the production team were close to tearing our hair out. During tech rehearsal I remember being close to tears with frustration! Every single person both on stage and off had been working so hard and yet there were still some hiccups. Opening night arrived and, despite all of the stress everyone pulled off a terrific show! Everyone I spoke to that saw it really enjoyed it, and on the final night as I sat and watched everyone give it their all one final time I started to cry. We had done it! And I could say I had been assistant director for a show, something else I never imagined I would say!
"I got more in me, and you can set it free, I can catch the moon in my hands" - Fame!
My final thoughts regarding taking on a role in the production team are that it requires a certain individual with the right mindset to make it a success. I believe, after my experience, that I am definitely more suited to being on stage, however I would never say never again! I think it is also important to understand that it is an extremely stressful undertaking and you have to have exceptional organisational skills. I learned a lot about myself taking on the role of assistant director the experience is something I will never forget!
So what am I up to now? Well you can catch me on the Art Centre stage for TTBs 30th anniversary production, "Fame!" (12th - 15th February 2020) And for my first time I'll be taking to the Tivoli stage with Lyric Musical Societies production of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" (20th - 23rd May 2020) I can't wait for both of them! And I will be totally shameless and plug them! Grab tickets from below!
Priscilla Queen of the Desert: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/musical/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-the-musical/2760
Catch you in the audience!
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