Three shows, 130 performers, 8 members of staff, one adjudicator and a 13 hour shift inside The Halo Theatre!
It was wonderful…
We had some amazing feedback from families who loved the show but this one, from the parents of a girl who’s been struggling with confidence and anxiety really warmed my heart:
“Thank you for today! My daughter was the best I have seen in these performances! She feels so proud of herself and that is worth a lot! Thank you for all that you do.”
There are lots of stage schools out there, but I really do think that The Playing Space has a special place for children who are building confidence, who may not thrive in larger settings with more of a focus on polished, slick results rather than the process of getting there in a safe and fun way.
One of the groups devised their own scene – the script was absolutely bonkers and we weren’t sure if it would make much sense. They absolutely shone on stage, delighting in their weird and wacky ideas. The fact that they found their scene hilarious was so infectious and the audience laughed so much more than we (their boring teachers) were expecting! It solidified my point of view that letting children run with their own ideas is the best way forward. And guess what? They won the Adjudicator’s Prize for the BEST DEVISED SCENE!
Here’s what Kirsten Moore (Actor, Teacher and LAMDA Examiner) had to say about their scene:
“You all presented characters with such infectious energy – it really made me smile. I liked how the characters at the start were on opposite sides of the stage, as an audience we felt really included with your direct address. You all showcased wonderful emotions through skilled vocal and facial expression. The storyline was inventive and your talented acting skills had me on the edge of my seat. You all connected emotionally to your characters and that helped us to come on the journey with you. There were lots of funny moments and I wanted to see more.As your performance was so engaging and memorable today I have chosen to award you with the best devised scene award, this was fully deserved as all of you worked so well together and your talent was breathtaking.”
Every performer gets a prize, and every group gets a report from Kirsten on what they were doing well, and how they can improve in the future. It’s so important to get feedback like this from someone outside The Playing Space, who has their own perspective.
It’s moments like these that remind me why we do what we do. Not for perfect performances, but for the confidence built, the risks taken, and the joy of stepping onto a stage and feeling proud.
I couldn’t be prouder of every single performer who took part — you were all brilliant.