What good are student productions?

 


What good are student productions? Apart from allowing the students the opportunity to show off their newly learned skills, and see how they fare in front of a live audience full of strangers... well yes, that is EXACTLY the point of it, and it is a hugely important and large part of the students' progress.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been in the audience for several productions in and around the city of Manchester - a city that is full to the brim of both students and theatrical and performance outlets - to see productions or concerts performed by those still in training, and by and large the audiences for these events are meagre. The majority of the audience is generally made up of fellow students, then the next largest percentage is family and friends, with barely a single percent left over for general audience members. And when many of the seats in these theatres and concert halls are left vacant it is a crying shame! Students, family and friends are - as much as their presence in the audience is both appreciated and comforting - exactly the WRONG kind of audience a student in training needs. They need a group of impartial individuals who have neither axe to grind nor familiar interest in the production.

The organisations which I regularly support in this regard include The RNCM, Manchester University Music Society, The Manchester School Of Acting (Manchester Met University), Chetham's School, Pendleton Sixth Form College, The Arden Theatre Company, UCEN Manchester College, Oldham Sixth Form College, NKTA Romiley, NWTAC Moston, and I know there are many many more too.

The bonus with many of the concerts and productions is that on the whole they are a fraction of the cost of a comparative show by professionals, and sometimes they are even free! These are performed by the creatives of our future - the ones who will make and shape what we watch and listen to when we are old and grey - and if they are to succeed in their desired profession, they need out help now. They need to know how audiences respond and why - and we need to help them discover and help nurture their talents.

What good are students productions..... well come along and see for yourselves, and take part in the shaping of the next generation!

Reportage - Alastair Zyggu

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