A new youth theatre group is encouraging young people to audition for their summer showcase in an aim to build confidence and pay homage to the company’s name.
Kindred Spirits Theatre Company in Hillsborough will hold a free taster session on Friday 19th April for new members looking to star in their third show, ‘Anne of Green Gables’.
The Artistic Director, Heather Reynolds said: “It would be a wonderful group to get involved with, especially if you are somebody that is a little bit shyer and is wanting to build their confidence.
“At their stage I was really, really nervous and shy and I can still be like that as an adult when it comes to auditioning for things, but it’s such a friendly group of kids and we are so supportive of each other.”
Kindred Spirits started in September 2023 and has since put on ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, and ‘A Christmas Carol in One Act’.
This upcoming showcase is particularly special as the company name ‘Kindred Spirits’ came from the play’s heart-warming story.
Miss Reynolds, 29, said that: “It is what Anne calls those closest to her, the people that she feels a real connection with because they have a shared affection for each other or a shared interest.
“It felt really fitting at the end of our first year to put ‘Anne of Green Gables’ on because it had such an influence in the early days of even getting the idea on its feet.”
The relaxed audition process will take place on April 29th where the kids can workshop different roles and request the one they want to play.
Miss Reynolds added: “Lots of the girls will get to play a character in this show that is closer to them and their age, even though it is set in the early 1900s, there is still so much that they can relate to in the experience of just being a young person today.”
She urged the importance of having clean, family-friendly and wholesome material that allows children to ‘get it wrong’ without worrying about being out of their comfort zone.
Miss Reynolds commented: “I’ve really enjoyed so far seeing the kids’ growth, seeing people who were really shy and quiet coming in and have pushed themselves to do these roles and speak on stage, it’s such a scary thing.”
The classes run every Friday evening for £15 per week at Memorial Hall from 7-9pm.
The show will take place in early July and is open for anyone to watch.
Email heather@kindredspiritstheatre.co.uk to join.
