CAPA College students discuss what they're learning from their time on 'Sanctuary' about working in theatre - Red Ladder Theatre Company

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CAPA College students discuss what they’re learning from their time on ‘Sanctuary’ about working in theatre

Isobel Chipp, 18, assistant director

Isobel Chipp credit Robling Photography

What has it been like working on Sanctuary? “It’s been brilliant because I’m normally on the acting side of things, so to have my first opportunity to help direct something straight from college is really great. It’s been so beneficial to see how the other side of theatre works. It’s a brilliant first project to work on – it’s got such a great group of people, and has such a strong message. It’s just been really educational.”

What have you learned? “In my first week Cheryl gave me the chance to do some directing which I’d never done and it was a bit daunting, but it was also really good because that’s how you learn. I got good feedback from the direction I’d given them and that was really affirmative because you think ‘yes, I can do this.’ So that was a real confidence boost.”

Has this experience changed what you might want to do in this industry? “It’s shown me that acting is what I love and want to do. It’s also given me an appreciation that directing and writing is something I’d like to go into in the future. I think it has made me love acting even more, because I’m learning how to act better by telling actors how to do things differently.”

What have you gained from working on a professional production like this and collaborating with a theatre company like Red Ladder? “It’s given me confidence when it comes to the next opportunities because I’ll have this under my belt. Also just seeing the inner workings of a theatre company. I’d seen pieces by Red Ladder before doing this and I always thought ‘wow, it looks so cool and polished.’ And now I’ve seen it in the beginning when it’s not polished and you see how it gets to that finished stage. It’s made me really trust the process of what I’m doing.”

 

Zac Worstenholme, 17, company manager

A headshot of Zac smiling

Zac Worstenholme

What has it been like working on Sanctuary? “It’s been really good for me because I’m just going into my second year at college and I’ve found a real love for the production side of theatre. When I was given this opportunity I couldn’t have been more thankful because it’s just what I need to get a real insight into the industry. It’s a privilege to not only be involved in a musical but the first works of a musical where the scripts are being edited and it’s nice to experience that.”

What have you learned? “I’ve learned a lot. I don’t think I realised how much a company manager has to deal with, from printing the scripts off and helping out with social media to taking loads of rehearsal shots and making sure all the cast is there on time and that they’re all ok.”

How has it changed your perceptions of what’s involved in putting a production like this together? “I don’t think people realise how much work goes into something like this. There’s a lot more to the offstage roles than I think I’d realised.”

Has it changed what you might want to do in this industry? “From a young age I wanted to act and be a musical theatre performer, but during these past few weeks it’s made me love being a company manager and I think it’s what I’ve got my mind set on now. I really believe this is what I want to do when I leave college.”

What have you gained from working on a professional production like this and collaborating with a theatre company like Red Ladder? “It’s made me feel like I’ll be in a good position afterwards. Red Ladder’s really well respected and to have a company like them, and a show like Sanctuary, on your CV at just 17 years old is a really big step.”

 

Ellie Klemm, 17, Sanctuary chorus member

A smiling Ellie

Ellie Klemm credit Robling Photography

What’s it like being part of this production? “It’s been really good. I haven’t worked with a professional company before so it’s been really interesting to see how they work and what’s expected of us. There are high expectations of us in college but I didn’t think going into year two at college we’d be doing something like this.”

Getting to go on tour must be very exciting? “A lot of us are quite experienced and we’ve done a lot of shows and performances since we were little, but going on a tour is something very different and going to all these different venues and theatres is really exciting for all of us.”

What are you most excited about? “I’m looking forward to being able to experience places in the UK that we haven’t been to. Me and Matilda live near Huddersfield so the LBT (Lawrence Batley Theatre) is our theatre, it’s where we grew up and we’ve done so many shows there when we were little, so it’s really exciting to be going on tour near where we live.”

What have you learned from an acting point of view? “It’s been really good for our acting skills because the script’s been in development. I’ve never done a show where the script is subject to change. Normally you have a script and learn your lines and that’s what you do. But here, the actors have asked questions about some of the lines and sometimes it might get cut because the actor has said ‘I don’t think my character would say this.’ I didn’t think you could do that with a script and it’s teaching us to speak up if we have something to say about our character. I think we’ve learned that we can use our voice.”

How has it changed your perception of working in the theatre industry? “I grew up doing shows and theatre so it’s always been a dream to do it professionally and now it’s becoming a reality. This has given me a taste of it and made me want to do it even more.”

 

Matilda Simons, 17, Sanctuary chorus member

A smiling Matilda

Matilda Simons credit Robling Photography

What’s it like being part of this production? “We get a call sheet each night to see what we’re doing the next day. It’s very structured so we can prepare ourselves well for the next day. We might be doing a lot of movement work so you can check the call sheet and you know what you’re going into the next day.”

Getting to go on tour must be very exciting? “It’s really exciting and being able to say ‘I’ve performed at Hull Truck’ is just mad. I never thought I’d get to say that.”

What have you learned from an acting point of view and has it changed your perception of what’s involved? “Being part of this production we’ve seen how professional actors interact with directors and stage managers. Some of the actors ask questions about the motivations of their character, while others focus more on the feelings of their character. So it’s been really interesting to see these different approaches.”

How has it changed your perception of working in the theatre industry? “It’s definitely still made me want to be a performer. I want to do musical theatre and it’s made me lean into my acting more. It’s also made us respect the behind the scenes roles more.”

 

Eloise Degenhart, 17, Sanctuary chorus member

A smiling Eloise headshot

Eloise Degenhart credit Robling Photography

What has it been like being part of this production? “Because we’re at an arts college we’re used to being part of a show but not really creating the show, the ins and outs of the script and the songs. The fact we’ve been able to say things like ‘this harmony might be better for this song’, that’s quite cool – to feel like you’re part of the creative process. Coming into this I thought it would be very strict but they have a laugh and they know when to be serious. It’s calmed my nerves about going into the industry.”

What have you learned about acting? “We’re working with professional actors who have gone through all the years of training and seeing how they work together and figure things out, like changing the script, has been really interesting. Seeing how connected they are to their character and what their character would say has been really cool to see.”

Has this experience made you want to be an actor even more? “It’s made me realise I can just be myself and I don’t have to put on this façade. I can have a laugh but also get my work done. I’m proud of myself but also so grateful for the opportunity. I mean how many 17-year-olds get to go on tour!”

 

Erin Hall, 17, Sanctuary chorus member

A smiling Erin

Erin Hall credit Robing Photography

What has it been like being part of this production? “It’s an original musical and we’re building it together, so it feels really cool to be part of that. It feels like you’re always involved in some way.”

What have you learned about acting? “I’ve never been involved in a professional production before so seeing how the main cast do it has been really helpful.”

Has this experience made you want to be an actor even more? “I definitely know that I want to perform and this has helped me a lot to realise this. You get to see the whole process and you’re always learning something new.”

Main image: CAPA students as Vox in Sanctuary rehearsals credit Robling

Sanctuary opens at Theatre Royal Wakefield on Thursday 19th September before touring to theatres and Red Ladder Local venues book here! 

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