WYA LATEST NEWS
UPDATED 1 July / HOME / CONTACT
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Alex in the Woodland was a new site specific play performed by the 12-14 year olds in WYA. In this new version of the Alice story, members of WYA Senior Drama group re-wrote the original story to make it instead about a young boy and they also directed and made the whole thing happen - so a great learning experience. The play was presented at the Minaun Woods in Faithlegg and got a great reception. >> The show was performed four times over two days on Thurs. 25th and Fri. 26th June. We were blessed with the weather and the whole thing was great. Well done to all involved. Here's the new Alex page on our website. >> One audience member put it: "just wanted to compliment all of you on the wonderful performance last night. It was a really unique and enjoyable night - and all for a fiver - I loved it and so did anyone I spoke to. Well done to the performers, the musicians, the writers and to you - I particularly enjoyed your contribution at the beginning and the end - it was brilliant. I thought it was a great use of the woods I felt I was part of a fairytale. Being from the area I spent alot of time up the Minaun but never saw it used so well as last night". >> Footnote: We have been asked to reprise the play for a special performance at Brother of Charity Open Day on July 25th - so watch this space.
SUMMER SCHOOL 2009
Garter Lane and Waterford Youth Arts will again work to create a Performance Summer School starting on Monday July 13th. In this exciting week participants get the opportunity to explore their creativity through age appropriate activities and these will include: Drama, Dance, Film, Storytelling, Crafts and Visual Art. This week is a huge success and is known as a week where the young people enjoy working in a gentle supportive creative atmosphere. The three age groups are: 4 – 5years / 6 – 8 years and 9 – 11 years.
--WYA and GL Summer School 2009
--Starting Mon. July 13th for one week.
--For 4 – 5years / 6 – 8 years and 9 – 11 years.
--To participate register at Garter Lane Arts Centre: 051-855038
--Cost ranges from €65 to €95
BAG PACK
WYA will do their annual Bag Pack on Sunday 28th June in Tescos Ardkeen - as many people as possible are asked to give a hand.
CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITION
WYA held a small art exhibition of the work by members at the Saturday morning art club – these children are aged 5 – 12 years and the tutor is Jill Bouchier. In this term Jill has explored famous artists and has enabled the children to try everything from surreal art to ceramics.
The exhibition happend Saturday 27th June and it went very well with lots of parents and family turning up. The young people spoke about what was special about this term.
NEW MURAL PROJECT
WYA have started on the Mural Project and three artists are working with local young people to create new murals for Waterford walls. This project is supported by Waterford City Council Environment Section. The three artists are: Tom Casey, Anthony Mackey and Clare Scott. >> The project aims to counteract the prevalence of graffitti on the walls around town. If you know of any young artist aged 15 - 19 years who would like to get involved then tell them to get in touch - there is no cost. Contact info. We would also like to thank David Flynn Builders for his help with a premises as an art studio and also Colortrend the paint and wallpaper specialists on Tramore Road for sponsorship of materials.
NEW SUMMER THEATRE PROJECT
Waterford Youth Arts welcomes African Director
WYA has for over 14 years run a summer theatre production with a visiting professional director and this year they are delighted to welcome back Bisi Adigun to work with them on their summer show. Bisi last worked with WYA in 2000 when he wrote and directed ‘Moremi - The Goddess’ for the younger age group. This time he will be working with the older age range (15 – 19 years) and the production (yet to be announced) will take the usual format - the young people work fulltime with the director for the month of August and the play is presented in early September in Garter Lane Arts Centre. Bisi Adigun is from Nigeria and now lives in Dublin, where he is the Artistic Director of Arambe Productions and has recently co-written with Roddy Doyle the hugely successful new version of Synges ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ for the Abbey Theatre.
--WYA Summer Theatre Project
--Starting Tues. August 4th.
--Play opens at Garter Lane Sept. 8th to 12th 2009.
--For 15 – 19 years.
--To participate register at WYA cost is €20
--To book a place on this project tel. WYA at 051-879377 or see contact info.
--Aimed at Teenagers and Family Audiences
--Tickets from Garter Lane Arts Centre 051-855038
--Book online Tickets €12.50 and €10 conc. Also Family Tickets €30
FILM SUMMER PROJECT
Beginning week of 27th June and with a shoot on 27th July the Film Unit will be doing a summer project with teenagers aged 13 – 19 years. This year they are working with local screenwriter Garret Shanley to devise a new script. They are also bringing in other professionals for tuition incl. Mary Crowley, Director of Photography, Derek Nagle, Art Director, Gill Brennan, Make-up Artist and Lisa Fleming, Production / 1st AD.
--Film Summer Project 2009.
--Running at various tiomes from 27th June with a film shoot in late July.
--To participate you must register at WYA
--To book a place on this project tel. WYA at 051-879377 or see contact info.
--To register for Film Summer Project €20.
CONGRATULATIONS
To Sinead Bolger and ex-member Zarima McDermott for passing the auditions for the National Youth Theatre's 'The Seagull' by Anton Chekov in a new version by Martin Crimp. This show will be directed by rising star Wayne Jordan and will take place the the Peacock Theatre in late Augiust. I'm sure we will be running a bus to see this show.
25 YEARS OLD NEXT YEAR
WYA will be 25 years old in 2010 and we have started the process of consulting ex-members, ex-tutors,ex-staff, ex-volunteers and present members to gauge what interest they have in marking this event. We had a few productive meetings and the next meeting is 12noon to 2pm on Sat. July 18th. >> The big news so far is that we have decided on some dates for 2010 - the big weekend will be August 20 / 21 / 22. Also we will have a proms type night for present members on Sat. July 3rd. >> To raise money for all of this we are having a major social night on Monday 29th December 2009 at a venue to be confirmed. If you want to get involved in any of the planning for next year contact ollie at ollie@waterfordyoutharts.com. Also see our 25 year anniversary page with a link our dedicated anniversary Facebook site.
Act2Link – A NEW THEATRE IN EDUCATION PLAY
WYA will tour a new Theatre in Education play around schools in Waterford and the South East in September 2009. Act2Link is a new play and workshop with professional actors presented to senior classes in Primary Schools. The play and workshop looks at the benefits and pitfalls of the growing area of school links between schools in the richer Northern hemisphere and the less well off Southern hemisphere. In recent years many schools have formed links (partnerships) with schools in Africa, Asia and South America and now with the return of economic migrants, many schools are also linking with their counterparts in Eastern Europe. This project is supported by Irish Aid (Dept. of Foreign Affairs).
--Act2Link – A NEW Theatre in Education play
--Touring from September to November 2009.
--For Senior Classes in Primary Schools (5th and 6th Class).
--To book a place on this project tel. WYA at 051-879377 or see contact info.
DIVERSIONS 2009
This year WYA will present seven short plays all newly written by local writers and set in Waterford Courthouse. The plays under the working title 'Trials and Tribulations' will be presented by members of Waterford Youth Arts with guest adult actors from the local theatrical community. All plays will be directed by senior members of WYA There will be three performances on 23 – 25th October at 8pm.
--Diversions
--Seven short plays in a Courthouse.
--23 – 25th October (as part of the Imagine Festival).
--Aimed at teenage and adult audiences
--Tickets from WYA at €10. Contact.
'DIVERSIONS 2008' NOMINATED FOR AWARD
WYA were nominated for the 'Diversions 2008' project - our seven short plays on the bus for the WLR / Bausch and Lomb Arts and Entertainment Awards for Autumn 2008. Unfortunately we didn't win this time but hats off to all involved. This was the first time that WYA had received a nomination for this award - so we are very pleased. WYA would particularly like to share this nomination with both Bob Browne who coordinated the project and our sponsor Kenneallys Buses (Part of the JJ Kavanagh Bus Group) without whom the project would not have been possible. Click here for more about 'Diversions'.
MEMBERS COMMITTEE
The Members Committee are there to represent the members, keep good communication within the organisation and also to put forward ideas and suggestions. If you want something raised - say it to one of the following:
Older Drama (15 - 19) - Sinead, Isabel, Emma and John. Middle Drama (12 - 14) Niall, Aaron and Joey. Film: Martina, Cillian and Cliodhna. Art: Tess and Kelly and we have no dance people yet.
