Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre

Annual General Meeting – 20 May 2009

CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

Great Performance Opportunities – Still!…

At last year's AGM I commented that it had been another good year for CPYT – this year has been great in many ways, yet tinged with great sadness.

We learned in early June last year of the untimely death of one of the great stalwarts of CPYT, Sam Chisholm – an unimaginable event that deeply touched everyone associated with CPYT. Our hearts went out to Andy, Debbie and Gemma.

This was compounded with the knowledge that one of our technical team, Matt Pickering, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and CPYT's thanks go to Marilyn Carreras for her unstinting efforts, on behalf of CPYT, to facilitate a whole host of ‘once in a lifetime' activities and meetings for Matt to take part in. I know he enjoyed every minute of them.

And finally – in this somewhat down beat opening to my report, we learned of the passing of one our strongest Patron supporters, Lucy Bennett. Our sympathy went to Harry, Shirley and Phil and families.

A very sad part of last year.

POST MEETING NOTE : Sadly, Matt passed away on Monday 25 May at The Countess Mountbatten Hospice. Our thoughts are with his family.

On to brighter issues. In last year's report, I commented that the ‘end results' of the Station Centre was ‘in our sights' – I guess a pair of binoculars would've been required!

As this meeting is held, passing over the youth club assets have still not been completed, however – 1 June 2009 has been declared by the Charity Commission as being the date from which CPYT can receive the assets of the demised youth club.

It is envisaged that we will rename the centre in which the Wednesday meetings attendees have been engaged in. The Org. Team will choose a suitable name from the list provided.

It's also encouraging to note that in addition to those who make up the Casts of our major projects, attendance at the Wednesday meetings have averaged around 25 young people each week.

Taking into consideration rehearsals, meetings, etc., CPYT has provided over 7,000 young person/hours of performance related activity, with adult support, at the centre since May of last year. A great achievement.

The fabric of the centre needs attention, so to get the ball rolling, a working group has been set up to prioritise areas of work. When the preliminary investigations have been made, a list of ‘things to do' will be published with a view to enlisting help from Mums and Dads and friends of CPYT to undertake the work.

Last year's Summer Project was an absolute success in many ways! ‘High School Musical' in a week was a tall order, but everyone rose to the occasion – and it was a sell out at Thornden Hall.

Cast Members were even signing autographs for the screaming fans! Ok – so they were only littlies – but they were screaming fans nonetheless!

CPYT didn't enter Eastleigh Carnival in 2008, mainly due to the fact that families planned their holidays directly after the Summer Project, so Cast members for the entries have gone down in number during the last couple of years, making it very difficult to come up with the spectacle that we have become known for. It was decided it was better to ‘quit while we were ahead' rather than enter something that would probably let our reputation down.

September 08 saw CPYT again at the Hiltingbury Extravaganza, this time performing some of our Cabaret items. Scott and Co were also there with Toy Stall, plying their wears. Thanks to all who took part, it was a good advertisement for us.

Two workshop highlights of the year were arranged in conjunction with the Mayflower Theatre – thanks to Andrea Sheppard and her team for cast members to take part in.

The first was a ‘Blood Brothers' workshop, led by two lead Cast members of the touring company and held at the centre. Following attendance at a performance of the production, twenty took part and were enthralled working with professionals. It was a good experience.

The second was an ‘Our House' drama and dance workshop led by the Associate Director and Dance Captain of the touring company. This was held at the Mayflower, followed by attendance at the matinee performance. Again, it was a crackin' experience for the twenty youngsters who took part.

In addition, it was arranged for a viewing of the relatively new production of ‘Eurobeat' a mickey take of the European Song Contest, followed by a post performance talk with the Cast Members. Another special event for CPYT members.

As Autumn went into Winter, we were kept busy with Cabaret performances, auditions and fund raising at Brambridge Garden Centre – all of which went very well and very well attended by Cast Members.

The Southern Evening Echo's ‘Curtain Call Awards' nominations were published at the end of 2008 and we were pleasantly surprised to receive nine nominations for ‘Schools Will Rock You' and one nomination for ‘High School Musical' – we were delighted when Frankie Bunce was awarded the ‘Best Actress, Youth Theatre' award for her portrayal of Scaramouche. A great achievement!

The February production was soon upon us - and what a production it was! ‘Jesus Christ Superstar' by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber went down a storm and although we were not permitted to advertise the production, the ‘word of mouth' thing seemed to happen and we saw very good and appreciative audiences.

It was another fantastic team effort by all involved – one CPYT can be justly proud of.

As we came to the end of the reporting period, we undertook auditions for ‘Fame – The Musical' and received a great response from young people wanting to take part, so we decided to offer places to all who auditioned – making a potential Cast of seventy four – and started our new Cabaret season preparations with Jack Simmonds as MD. There are approximately forty young people currently involved every Sunday evening.

So on we go into the next year – full steam ahead, as do those who left us this year to commence their new performance experiences as they embark on full time university courses in performing arts. We wish them every success in their first years and look forward to sharing their new experiences when we'll hopefully see them during holidays.

In ending this report, I again thank everyone who's been involved with providing good performance experience for the young people associated with CPYT.

Particularly Colin Hearn and Angela Holidays for continued support and encouragement. It really does make a difference;

Alick Leech and Marilyn Carreras for all their assistance with Wednesdays @ The Station;

Dick and Margaret Pryer for their continued assistance with storage and facilities;

Richard Hughes and Scott Broomfield and Family for their fund raising efforts through the year – again – it really makes a difference;

Nigel Finch for steering us through the musical content of our productions. Nigel's experience and knowledge is second to none in our area – we're extremely lucky to have him working with us;

The Productions Creative and Support Teams – without them the productions simply wouldn't happen;

Our Patrons for their continued support;

The Organising Team - the individual efforts of the Team are also second to none in providing good support and performance experience for local young people;

The Mums and Dads for providing Cast members and understanding when we ‘sometimes' go over time! Sorry!

And finally – the young talented people who make up the Casts of CPYT, who want to be part of performance, who want to perform – where would CPYT be without them? Nowhere I guess.

During the last reporting year, every month there's been a CPYT activity – greatly supported by local young people….

I guess we must be doing something right ….

Great Opportunities - Still? You betcha!

Pete Harding

20 May 2009