Spotlight Drama Academy is enjoying a third year as Baldock's only independently run youth theatre group. Spotlight began with variety evenings in 2005 and 2006, before producing three highly successful musicals - Grease [2006], Guys And Dolls [2007] and Annie [2008].
Back in May 2005, the idea to launch the group was developed by a group of then-GCSE students, and after touring local schools with assemblies aimed at recruiting members, the group held its first session in September that year. For its first two terms, Spotlight ran in groups as opposed to one big company. The members were split by age group, and lead by one to two leaders to a group, they each prepared a short play. These were showcased at Spotlight's first performance evening, "The Xmas Factor", in December 2006.
In January 2006 the group continued much along the same lines, only with an additional group added especially for those with an interest in Dance Drama. The second performance evening, held in March, was named "Oh What A Night", and was praised for being a vast development on its predecessor.
The production team decided that its next project would be a musical production. The show of choice was "Grease", and members interested in taking part were merged into one company. Strong interest from local teenagers led to a large intake of new people for the cast, and after an audition workshop in May the show was cast. Newcomers Rebecca Owen and Dan Bell were comfortably cast as the world's most famous musical couple, Danny and Sandy. After a long and stressful rehearsal period, the 40-strong company took the show to the stage in December 2006. All three performances sold out and became the Spotlight's most acclaimed project to date.
In January 2007, Spotlight temporarily reverted back to the group system with which it began. Until Easter the group worked on building upon the skills of the company as opposed to building up towards an another production. Those who preferred production work as opposed to workshop session left the group during this term, but in April it was announced that there would be another musical in the pipeline - "Guys And Dolls".
More new members arrived in time for the casting auditions, which saw Adam Furness, Shannen Fuller, Anthony Goddard and Sophie Mance cast in the four principle roles. Rehearsals got into full swing in June, but two of Spotlight's original founder leaders found other demanding commitments left no time for another show, and they decided to leave. In their place, a new vocal coach and choreographer were appointed, and the new five-strong production team has since become regarded as the tightest and most productive in Spotlight's history.
In October 2007 Spotlight went into new territory by launching an online TV-style series following the rehearsals for "Guys And Dolls". Entitled "Broadway To Baldock", it built up a strong viewership over the course of its 8-episode run. "Guys And Dolls" was performed on December 15th 2007, and once again set a new high for Spotlight, with many labelling it "even better than Grease".
As the group began work on "Annie" in January 2008, Sophie Gray became the sixth member of the production team. Long-term member Jasmine Stokes was cast in her first main role as the titular character, and Callum Bateman marked his Spotlight debut as Oliver Warbucks. Past leading ladies Sophie Mance and Rebecca Owen pulled off storming performances as Miss Hannigan and Grace Farrell respectively. Fantastic efforts from the orphans and chorus made the cast of Annie the strongest in Spotlight's history.
Annie was the first Spotlight show to be performed away from St Mary's Church Hall, Baldock. It was performed at Hardwicke Hall in Royston on 10th and 11th May 2008 to great acclaim. Broadway To Baldock also returned for a second series, covering the run-up to the show.
Video Footage
Get more Spotlight video footage at http://spotlighttv.blip.tv
BROADWAY TO BALDOCK
Our smash hit documentary series going behind the scenes at Guys And Dolls rehearsals.
Past Performances
ANNIE JR, 10th & 11th May 2008
Annie proved a vast technical improvement on past Spotlight shows due to more advanced costuming and being performed at a more suitable venue. Jasmine Stokes, Callum Bateman, Sophie Mance and Rebecca Owen headed a strong cast, who have said that Annie is by far their favourite Spotlight production to date.
GUYS AND DOLLS JR, 15th December 2007
Spotlight's second full-scale musical was hailed as our best work yet. Sophie Mance, Anthony Goddard and Shannen Fuller enjoyed their first principle roles at Spotlight. Adam Furness played the role of Sky Masterson, but for the evening performance our musical director Dean Sayer stepped in to play the role after Adam was struck by illness.
GREASE, 8th & 10th December 2006
The children of the Academy performed a revival of the classic musical of teen romance. Dan Bell and Rebecca Owen played the most famous character partnership in musical history, with the most memorable songs including Charlie Knighton's "Beauty School Dropout", Mitch Tredgett and the company on "Greased Lightnin'", Owen's a-cappella vocals on "Look At Me (Reprise)", and many more.
OH WHAT A NIGHT, 24th March 2006
This variety evening bought together four plays and one Dance Drama piece. Highlights included Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and The BFG, Michael Jackson's "Thriller", and an original performance, "Assassin".
THE XMAS FACTOR, 16th Dec 2005
The first ever performance night brought together the five groups within the Academy to perform the plays they had been working on throughout the term. These included two original performances, a re-telling of a Christmas story, heartfelt tale "The Fools of Chelm", and children's classic "We're Going On A Bear Hunt".
Allo ok, so i dont know how many will read this, but if any of the dancers in a bushel and a peck read this, and you can tap dance, could you pretty pretty please bring your tap shoes on friday?? Also could you pass the message on for me??? thankyouuuuuu
