Curtain to rise on New York trip
TALENTED youngsters brought together by Hackney Empire’s participation and learning programmes are preparing to take to the stage in New York later this year.
The Hackney Harlem Theatre Company - made up of 16 emerging artists aged 16 to 21 - formed In June 2008 to take part in a pioneering cultural exchange with young actors in Harlem, New York. The project stalled because of a lack of funding. However, an American trip is now back on the cards.
Despite the disappointment of not visiting the US, the enthusiastic company created a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream called A Midsummer Night’s Madness Pt 1. The exciting production incorporates live music and dance, as well as drama, in order to bring new elements to the play to engage the audience. First performed in August last year, the show was back by popular demand at the Studio Theatre for a week in October half-term. The company is now raising money to complete the second half of the play and meet up with its sister youth group for a performance in the Big Apple.
Company member Scarlett Scanlon, who first auditioned for an artist and development programme (ADP) when she was 17, said: “Unlike school or college it provided a chance to work with professionals in the industry and learn how real life theatre works. It was also a chance to express our personality and opinions, as the whole show was devised by us.
“I began to find what I wanted to do. Having an aim and a passion also helped me feel more secure and in control of life. A passion and talent is something that no-one can take away from you. This gives independence and confidence despite whatever may be happening in life around you. After my first ADP I stayed in touch with the Empire and was invited back to mentor on the following ADP projects. This gave me valuable experience at facilitating workshops.
“Years later we are a family, known as the Hackney Harlem Theatre Company. We support each other and we are all thinking big for the future.”
Four of the group, including Scarlett, are currently professionally represented by acting agent Elaine Murphy of Elaine Murphy Associates. The theatre company is sponsored by Reed Elsevier and Hackney Youth Opportunity. There are also opportunities to sponsor individual artists.
Visit www.hackneyharlem.com for more details. Contact Coco Jackson about sponsorship on Coco.jackson@hackneyempire.co.uk or 020 8510 4500.