A Cast Member's Perspective by Jenni Smith
I have been a member of Oldham Theatre Workshop for nine years now, reflecting the colossal role the company has played in what some might call my most influential years. Throughout my life and involvement with OTW, I have had the chance to not only participate in over 14 major productions, performing at various venues including Shaw Playhouse 2, Grange Arts Centre and the renowned Oldham Coliseum Theatre, but I have also been offered the chance to participate in projects such as taking a piece of street theatre to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a valuable experience I probably wouldn’t have gained if it weren’t for OTW.
At Theatre Workshop, there are various projects which young people can get involved in, from weekly workshops to major productions. To participate in one of the twice yearly productions, an audition will take place. These are slightly varied depending on the director and format of the piece, however, they all employ a workshop style and tend to conform to a similar structure in a relaxed environment.
The latest major production was the well received ‘Don’t turn My Life into a Musical – The Musical’ – a brand new piece featuring real life stories in a world where the lines between private and public are becoming increasingly blurred and exploring the negative elements which seep through young people’s lives today. As the young performers, we are actively involved in the whole process of creating a show and generating new ideas which sometimes become a part of the end product, through working actively with the writer. With this production, as it was a subject which was relatively close to home for people in our age group, we felt we were really able to bond with this piece. Moreover, the writer of the piece (Sarah Nelson) worked with 10-15 different groups of teenagers from around the borough of Oldham before rehearsals for the show even started, which meant that the content and stories were appropriate and relevant.
A major production takes up a full term, from the initial rehearsal stages to the final progression into the theatre. Even though I find the rehearsals are sometimes demanding and challenging, there are also plenty of opportunities to socialise and form relations with new people, giving you the chance to interact not only with those with diverse interests and backgrounds, but also people from different age groups. Through working closely with the casts for such a long time, I have managed to accumulate exceptionally firm friendships and gained some of my closest friends, whom I believe I will now be friends with forever.
Throughout the initial stages of the rehearsal process, cast members are offered the chance to explore their own responses and ideas as to what they think the show might include. Some of our ideas may then influence the development of the final piece in some way. Casting for specific roles within the production is an ongoing process, one which reflects how well the director gets to know all the members, in order to cast so effectively. In addition, when working on a musical production, the songs are a pivotal part of the piece, an element which is furthered in importance due to the fact the director writes songs to fit around the cast and specific voices rather than the other way around. Furthermore, the ensemble ‘big numbers’ are for me the highlight of being involved in a musical, singing together with people you have bonded so closely with over the term. From the numerous productions I have been a part of, I have found that whether you have a main, supporting or ensemble role, you always feel the same involvement and commitment to the show.
When moving into the theatre the atmosphere changes. We start to work with other professionals such as lighting, sound and theatre managers, which advances your knowledge of working on a professional show. The week in the theatre begins with a tech and dress rehearsal; intense and tiresome evenings however it gives everyone the chance to pull together, working as a team to ensure the performance nights are successful – a moment for me where it finally feels like a team cast.
And finally, we arrive at the opening night, the pinnacle moment the cast has been working towards from the beginning of the term, a chance to accumulate all the hard work and put it into practice. Prior to the show we carry out fun vocal and physical warm ups, an element which channels nerves and excitement purely into the show, to make sure that this night will be a night to remember for all. I remember vividly the first time I performed in a professional theatre production with Oldham Theatre Workshop, when I was nine years of age. Everything excited me, from the lights around the mirror in the dressing rooms, to wearing an amazing costume, to the final moment when the curtain went down and I could still hear the roar and applause of the audience. That moment I haven’t ever forgotten, and it was made even better by knowing that I was sharing it with some of my best and long time friends.
Then… it’s all over, but with Oldham Theatre Workshop, there’s always something else just around the corner.
Jenni Smith