TORCH YOUTH THEATRE SUMMER SCHOOL
The Torch Youth Theatre is excited to announce that this year it has offered a number of free places to children in the local community so that they can join us at our Youth Theatre Summer Schools. These places have been distributed through local Charities; PATCH, Action for Children, Megan’s Starr and the Pembrokeshire Youth Service to allow children the opportunity to access the arts, possibly for the first time. This is due to the incredible generosity of businesses here in Pembrokeshire who are keen to support both local families in this time of financial challenge and the Torch, as we recover from the impact of the pandemic.
One of the 17 sponsoring companies is Pembrokeshire Building & Plumbing Supplies Ltd:
“Many of us, and especially families are feeling the pinch at the moment we are pleased to help by sponsoring a child’s place at the summer school.” Brian Taylor, Managing Director.
This year the Summer School is being directed by the Torch Theatre’s most recent recruit, Chelsey Gillard who takes over the role of Artistic Director officially in October when Peter Doran retires after 25 years in the role. The two weeks of drama summer school (juniors’ week then seniors’ week) are followed by our musical theatre week when musical director and voice coach, Angharad Sanders and Pembrokeshire drama practitioner, Lucie O’Neill will work with the children to create the musical Legally Blonde Junior in a week! Parents and guardians will be invited to a sharing performance on the last day, free of charge.
Chelsey Gillard said of this year’s Summer School :
"I am so excited to be spending two weeks with the Torch Youth Theatre and am so grateful for the huge generosity of local people and businesses that will allow so many young people to access the summer schools who otherwise may not get the chance. With the Junior group we will be taking inspiration from Welsh mythology to create our own action-packed adventure story. The Seniors will be investigating what makes teenage brains so different? Both weeks will be full of games and fun activities that will build confidence, teamwork and communication skills in a warm and inclusive environment."
Samuel Freeman is a professional actor whose experience of drama began as a youngster at the Torch’s Youth Theatre. Samuel will be returning to the Torch to appear in our autumn production of ‘Of Mice and Men’ and this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty:
“As well as giving me the opportunity to develop my acting skills, Torch Youth Theatre was a great social, professional and most of all fun environment. Some of my best memories as a young adult were those summers!”
Benjamin Lloyd, Executive Director at the Torch said of the sponsorship from local businesses:
“We are delighted with the response we’ve had from local individuals and businesses to our request for support in making the Arts accessible to our young people. In addition to offering our regular subsidised places, we are now able to remove economic barriers and offer places to children who might otherwise be unable to access this wonderful opportunity to take part, learn new skills for life, and make new friends while having great fun in the safe, inclusive and award-winning setting of Mid and West Wales’ only producing theatre. We are working with local charities to identify families who will benefit most from the places and we are excited to welcome all our Summer School participants to the theatre.”
For information about the Youth Theatre Summer Schools visit Summer Schools or call our Box Office on 01646 695267.
Grateful thanks to the following local businesses and individuals who have sponsored children’s places at the Summer School:
Pembrokeshire Building & Plumbing Supplies
TaylorMade Communications
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