Performing arts theater

This year I was offered a small job teaching acting in a local theatre school for children. I didn’t apply for it - it was just offered as a kind of a bi-product of what I have always done, which is working with others of all ages in putting on shows. I was delighted. And so, it turned out, were the young people involved in the course.

I have done amateur stuff, acting, singing, directing, writing for kids, making costume - all my life. The first question I asked when entering school was ‘Do you do plays?’ When answered in the negative I offered to write one. The teacher, a sensitive and wonderful person, allowed me to ‘help’ her put on a small play. I loved it, the other kids loved it and so did our doting parents when they saw it. It really was a cut above your average Nativity Play. Or so they told me. At five I believed what I was told.

I went on doing this kind of thing through school, into the youth club I volunteered at and into adult life when I found a local group keen to use my talents. Of course I volunteered there.

But finally I had to start my own group. This was due to my love for (obsession for?) the musical of Stephen Sondheim. He is not much performed by amateurs in the UK. His shows a very difficult to do well: expensive to stage, technically very demanding, and need a very good Musical Director and band. I knew all this when I started up, but went on, regardless, to form the group, called ‘Into Sondheim’ (because we were) and put on ‘Into the Woods’. My wonderful son, a musician (bass player, keyboards and composer) worked for almost nothing, producing a version of the band parts for five or six people (I cannot quite remember now) and a group of very talented people, at least half of whom could not read music) worked on the production. It was much enjoyed by performers and audience alike.

Since then we have performed the same musical again (popular request), ‘Assassins’, Sunday in the Park with George’ and ‘Merrily We Roll Along’. The casts have included people of all ages and experience levels, and we have never turned anyone down who wanted to have a go. You don’t read music? OK. we’ll make tapes for you to learn from. You’ve never been on the stage but are desperate to try? This is where to start. Our next productions, two, actually, are to try to raise money for the next big project. They are ‘I Do, I Do’ and ‘Tomfoolery’ - yes, neither of them Sondheim, but the end result we hope will be funds to perform ‘Follies’. Of course I will be seeking funds from very source possible - just went on a course to learn more skills to this end.

‘Follies’ is a wonderful show which calls for actors from about late teens to seventies. It has a big cast, with lots of cameo roles for women of all ages. Its cast reflects rather the well the fact that far more women partake in amateur theatre than men. The reasons for this have been often discussed. They cause arguments wherever you go in amateur theatre. Men work too hard to be able to do it, women need something to fill their time, women are naturally better at singing etc., etc. The sad fact is that not so many men perform. I think it may have to do with the fact that when boys’ voices break they get out of the habit of performing and take up sports and activities that fill their time. I think they may not be quite as outgoing as women. But we are not short of men in our group, or in our area.

And the other lovely thing is that there are many people in our town who are refusing to give up their amateur performing just because they are getting on a bit. In one of the groups I am associated with I am among people much older than myself, whose skill and enthusiasm is boundless. I am not thinking of giving any of this up yet. Why should I with such great examples of continuing well into later life given me by my wonderful friends.

So, are you still performing? Would you like to start? Wherever you go there will be groups just waiting for you to contact them. And you don’t have to perform. You could always help make scenery, costume, do fund-raising and publicity for them. You will meet lots of lovely people, extend your friendship circle and keep on enjoying life. I just might give up in twenty years or so. But only if they force me to. It is the source of pleasure and the provider of vibrant and wonderfully talented company. No - I don’t think I’m giving up any time soon.

Backup dancing is a dream career for many. It takes a lot of practise to get there but here are some reasons why you should want to be one. Some of the perks of the job that you might expect to enjoy.

1. When people ask you what your job is, you no longer have to say you work in an office in a job you hate. You can be proud of your job and people will probably be more interested and ask you more questions about it compared to when you worked in the complaints department of Wal-Mart.

2. You get lots of days off and you can choose when they are. If you don’t want to work, you just stop attending auditions for a while. You don’t always have to wake up early in the morning. There are some long days when you have to wake up early in the morning and be on set around sunrise, but it’ll be for a job that you love.

3. For filming work where you’re featured, you can be entitled to royalties or in other countries a buyout or lump sum. These are usually nice payments which can amount to quite a lot of money (several thousand pounds/ dollars) for no extra work on your part.

4. Part of your job is working for artists and bands many people will have heard of. It can be exciting being around all these famous names all the time. They’ll often speak to you and call you by your first name.

5. You get the opportunity to work with so many talented people from a range of fields including musicians, directors, cameramen and other dancers.

6. You’re being paid for doing a job that you love to do. And if you’re a backup dancer, probably being paid well as well!

7. Other people pay for your meals and dinners while you’re on set.

8. You could get recognised in dance studios or even on the street as a backup dancer. Strange but true, and a nice taste of what it’s like to be famous.

9. You get to listen to new music and tracks before they’re released. You may be filming the backing dancing several months before the actual music video or performance airs on television.

10. Other people admire you, not just for your dancing but for ‘making it’ as dance is considered a tough industry to be successful in. You also get to work with top choreographers who would only have picked you because you’re a really good dancer. Backup dancers are considered important and it’s good to know that the job you are doing is important and your skills are valued.