About Summer Youth Project

The first Summer Youth Project took place at the Wyvern Theatre in 1994 with Bugsy Malone and was one of the first community ventures of its kind in the local area. Since then it has become an annual tradition and many young people have been involved in the Projects over the years.

The aim of Summer Youth Project is to provide up to 200 youngsters aged 9 – 21 with the opportunity to work together in a professional theatre. The two week project culminates in five performances of a full-scale musical under the supervision of a highly skilled creative team including a professional Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Musicians and Technical team all in less than 2 weeks!

The scheme has evolved, getting bigger and brighter every year; it provides local children with a unique opportunity to take an active interest in the performing arts and is a good foundation for those wishing to further their careers in this field. Several previous Project members have gone on to study at theatre and dance schools and have successful careers both on stage and backstage. As well as being actively involved in the arts, it helps our young cast build confidence, develop learning skills, unite with a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, have fun in an imaginative and creative environment, and of course, make lots of new friends! Summer Youth Project provides a crucial artistic outlet for children during the summer holidays – ensuring they are kept entertained, off the streets and out of trouble.

Over the two week project the Wyvern comes alive to the sound of children, working incredibly hard learning their lines, rehearsing songs and practicing dance routines, all with an enthusiasm and dedication that is unprecedented. Year-on-year we receive praise for the high standards that the show ultimately produces with such a young cast and crew.

Previous Productions

1994	Bugsy Malone
1995	Annie
1996	42nd Street
1997	My Fair Lady
1998	Oliver!
1999	Me and My Girl
2000	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2001	Crazy For You
2002	West Side Story
2003	Fame
2004	The Sound of Music
2005	Guys and Dolls
2006	Annie
2007	*No Show*
2008	Oliver!
2009	Boogie Nights
2010	The Wizard of Oz
2011	Anything Goes
2012	West Side Story
2013	Our House
2014	Bugsy Malone
2015	Hairspray
2016	Grease
2017	Summer Holiday
2018	Oliver!
2019	Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2020	FAME the Musical

2020 Production

2020's Summer Youth Project production will be FAME the Musical!

Following the flying success of 2019’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Wyvern Theatre’s Summer Youth Project for 2020 is proud to present Fame the Musical!

“They want to dance; they want to sing, to play music, to act, but above all to live their lives while they are still young and full of energy!”

Based on the 1980 iconic pop culture film, Fame the Musical follows the lives of students at New York’s High School for The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the trials and tribulations of life. The show does not shy away from complex issues as the young performers come to terms with the real cost of a career in show business. This will be reflected in our production and therefore we would like to make you aware of this prior to our audition process.

The Summer Youth Project is open to anyone aged 9 to 21 and is a great opportunity to work with a professional creative team. It brings over 140 young people together (both onstage and as part of the technical team) for a two week project which culminates in five performances on the Wyvern Theatre Stage. Participants get to learn about the theatre, develop their performance skills, make new friends and most importantly have fun whilst performing on in a professional theatre environment. The friendships, experiences and memories that are formed during the project are wonderfully unique and last a lifetime. The project is the product of a lot of hard work and time, and it is only through the commitment of everyone involved that the final result is so spectacular.

Auditions will be held on Saturday 25 April at the Phoenix Theatre, New College, Swindon SN3 1AH. To apply, please complete an Audition form and return to the Wyvern Theatre before Friday 10 April 2020.

Completed forms should be emailed to education@wyverntheatre.org.uk. Technical forms to david@wyverntheatre.org.uk or sent to Nyree Kingsbury, SYP 2020, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon SN1 1QN.

Key Dates

Auditions Sat 25 April 2020 | PHOENIX THEATRE, NEW COLLEGE | Swindon SN3 1AH

Project Dates Sun 09 August – Sat 22 August 2020

Show Dates Thu 20 – Sat 22 August 2020

PLEASE NOTE:

YOU/YOUR CHILD MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE AUDITION (THERE IS ONLY ONE DAY FOR THE AUDITION PROCESS) AND FOR THE WHOLE

DURATION OF THE PROJECT – UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS

Download Onstage Application Form

Download Technical Application Form

Audition Information Pack

Frequently Asked Questions

PROJECT DATES, TIMES & OTHER INFORMATION
Project runs from Sun 9 - Sat 22 August 2020. You must be available for all these days. Because of the short production and rehearsal time you have to be fully committed to the show for the whole period. All auditionees will be informed by the beginning of May whether they have been successful or not; to confirm your place a £10 deposit will be required which must be returned by the beginning of May (NB. The deposit is non-refundable). The fee for SYP will be £180 which includes a Project T-shirt, all the tuition, rehearsals and performances for the 2 weeks – the deposit will be deducted from the fee total.

WYVERN FOUNDATION
The Wyvern Foundation is a charity that has been set up to advance the education and training of children and young people in Swindon and the surrounding areas by their participation and involvement with all aspects of the performing arts. The Foundation supports the Summer Youth Project by providing bursaries (50% of the fee). If you feel you could benefit from receiving help from the Foundation, you can apply for funding when the place has been confirmed.

CHAPERONES
We are always looking for licensed Chaperones or those with a DBS certificate that would like to become a chaperone, to help with the Summer Youth Project. If you are interested please contact Nyree as soon as possible (see contact details below).

REHEARSALS
These usually start at 10am and continue all day with a break for lunch, and a dinner break when evening rehearsals are required. Towards the end of the Project finishing times of later than10pm are to be expected. Please note that you will be required for every day during the project. As it is a very tight schedule, unfortunately, we cannot accomodate any days off during the two weeks.

PERFORMANCES
The performances will take place from Thu 20 - Sat 22 August 2020.

For any further general questions please contact Nyree Kingsbury on 01793 509039 or via email on Nyree@wyverntheatre.org.uk

For details regarding technical aspects of the Summer Youth Project, please contact Dave Jell via email on Dave@wyverntheatre.org.uk

The Summer Youth Project is managed by the Wyvern Theatre on behalf of the HQ Theatres Trust. Charity No. 1145989.

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