After enjoying a successful 2017 with their inaugural National Ensemble, Scottish Youth Theatre has recruited the 2018 company – and four of the ensemble are from the capital.
. Back in October, the company travelled to Dundee, Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow to audition young people aged 16 – 25 to represent the next generation of performers and theatre makers from Scotland.
After receiving over 80 applications from young hopefuls across Scotland, the final line-up of 20 was unveiled last weekend, and four of the company members are based in Edinburgh. Emery Law (20), Heather Mitchell (23), Dan Orejon (25) and Tom Whiston (20) are delighted to have been called up,
Emery said: “I’m so excited to be chosen as a member of Scottish Youth Theatre’s National Ensemble. The audition was so relaxed and I loved meeting the staff”.
Daniel, who is originally from Spain, added: “When I moved to Edinburgh from Madrid seven years ago I never thought I would be given such an amazing opportunity to collaborate with theatre professionals and other young creatives from Scotland”.
When asked what the foursome can expect from their Ensemble experience, SYT’s Artistic Director Mary McCluskey explained: “Membership lasts a year and during that time, participants will be given the opportunity to collaborate with acclaimed theatre practitioners and companies on a monthly basis. They will then put what they have learned into practice when they devise and perform in a new piece of theatre in the summer – details of which will be announced early next year”
She went on: “The ability displayed by the auditionees was outstanding. The Ensemble is a platform to showcase the high standard of emerging performers and theatre makers we have right here in Scotland and all four of these young people definitely fall into that category.”
The talented youngsters met their fellow Ensemble members last weekend and Tom, who is originally from Manchester, is very optimistic about the year ahead. “I’m looking forward to seeing more of Scotland with the Ensemble during our Development weekends, and getting to learn techniques from some of the best teachers and theatre practitioners in the UK”, he said.
Heather is interested in exploring all aspects of theatre making: “I come from a performer background so I am excited to try new areas of theatre making such as directing and writing. I believe the National Ensemble will be a safe and nurturing environment where I can experiment and really push myself.”
Good luck to them all …
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