Latest news from CADS
May 2019 Newsletter
(May 15, 2019)The Voice!
CADS is delighted to announce the latest in our occasional series of workshops. This time, we're looking at voice production and will be aiming to provide professional coaching on tips and techniques for actors and public speakers. The workshop is being presented by Jennifer Scott-Reid and Emma James who have collaborated on many theatrical endeavours from productions for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to drama workshops for adults and young people.
Jennifer is a GODA Adjudicator for drama festivals, has acted in and directed plays for the festival circuit, and is co-founder of two theatre companies as well as running her own training company. Emma is a LAMDA Associate and her work as a fine artist bridges the gap between spoken, written and performed words; in her other hat she is a fine art tutor as well as a vocal coach.
As well as bringing together their extensive experience in drama, presentation and voice based coaching, Emma and Jennifer employ a creative approach, and most of all aim to make their workshops the ideal balance of learning and enjoyment.
The workshop takes place from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Saturday 15 June 2019 in the main hall at Meridian School, Garden Walk, Royston SG8 7JH and is free to all comers, but places are strictly limited, so booking is essential.
Click here to reserve your place!
Cambridge Drama Festival - 2019 and beyond
As previously announced, the Cambridge Drama Festival this year has changed both its venue and its date - they've moved from the Mumford Theatre to the ADC Theatre and instead of a week in April, this year the festival will take place over a long weekend in September. Given the fact that CADS will be pretty tied up with our own production in September, we've decided not to enter this year, but next year the festival reverts to its April slot and the organisers are keen to see a contribution from us then. If you have any ideas for a suitable one-act play that we could present at Cambridge (and possibly also at other festivals around the same time), then do please contact us, especially if you'd be prepared to direct!
In addition, the Cambridge organisers are always on the look-out for helpers to assist both backstage and with front of house duties and so on, so if you're not involved in the CADS show this year and fancy giving up a little of your time to help them out (and see some of the contributions to the festival from other groups), more details can be found at camdramfest.org.uk, or you can speak to Emma Daintrey or e-mail [email protected] and your enquiry will be forwarded... .
Flare Path
Rehearsals continue apace for Flare Path. our production for the Royston Arts Festival this September. The Treasurer would like to remind all cast in the politest possible terms that they will need to pay a subscription (£15) to CADS in order to take part - this is a necessary requirement for insurance and other purposes but it does also entitle you to a free ticket for any one performance of any show during your subscription year! (If you're actually in the show, you can transfer your free ticket to a family member or friend.) You can pay by card online by using the "Donate" button on the home page of our website at http://www.cadsroyston.org.uk or pay us by bank transfer - the account name is CADS, the sort code is 40-39-22 and the account number is 91389149. Any queries, please get in touch with [email protected].
The cast has now been announced and we have the beginnings of a backstage crew, but we could still use people to fill the following roles: Assistant Stage Manager, sound assistant, and front of house, and we could also use people prepared to help with (but not necessarily to be in charge of) costumes and props. If you'd like to put yourself forward for any of these positions, we'd be positively delighted to hear from you!
Meanwhile, the dates for set building have been brought forward to the weekend of 7-9 June and we could also really do with some help to construct what promises to be a fantastic but complex set. You don't need to be particularly artistic or technically proficient but the more people we can muster for that weekend the smoother and more efficient the process is likely to be - there are always practical jobs that need extra bodies! If you can spare an hour or two (or more) of your time that weekend, please get in touch with the Producer, Emma Daintrey or drop us a line at the usual [email protected] address. Thank you.
Costume store
For some time now, we've been planning to have a thorough review of the costume store at Meridian School, largely with a view to weeding out some costumes that are now unlikely to get used and thus make more space for the stuff we decide to keep. A provisional date of Monday 17 June has been arranged and anyone who can come along then to assist would be most welcome; we're aiming to start at around 10 a.m. and go on for as long as it takes. Note that we've recently had to change the locks on the store, so if you have an old key, it won't now work!
Panto 2020 (already?!)
On the principle that it's never too early to think about next year's pantomime, we're currently looking for someone to take this on - don't worry if you've never directed before, we have a wealth of experience within the group and can provide as much or as little advice and assistance as you might feel you need. The main thing is that you have an enthusiasm for panto and a willingness to help us produce a show that has become a much loved fixture in the town's calendar each year. If you haven't a particular show in mind, we can also steer you in the direction of some of our favourite providers, or maybe you've written or are writing one yourself? Let us know if you think you might like to get involved and we'll take it from there. Contact us via the website or at [email protected].