Escape2Make Drama Club Showcase: ‘In Their Voices’
On Sunday, 17th May, talented Escape2Make (E2M) participants adopted a variety of voices as they hosted their first Drama Club Showcase, titled ‘In Their Voices’ at The Dukes MoorSpace venue.
Over the past six months, the young people (aged 11-18) have been perfecting their vocal cords for an evening of monologues and music.
They have been working alongside Ciara and Lily from The Performance Studios, who can be found at 17 Dalton Square, LA1 1PL, offering performing arts classes consisting of acting, singing and dancing for all ages, from tots to teens. The Performance Studios are a performing arts space whose goal is to ‘inspire and nurture young talent by providing a positive environment.’ They gift the young people with ‘an opportunity to explore their passion on stage and recognise their potential.’
The Drama Club is one of many activities provided by Escape2Make across the Lancaster and Morecambe area. As all sessions are free to attend and open to all teenagers in the area, it is a chance for young people to not only entertain an audience, but to entertain their interests, passions, and creative pursuits in a low-pressure, welcoming environment.
Drama Club sessions take place every other Monday at the West End Playhouse on Yorkshire Street in Morecambe between 5-7pm and are free for 11-18s to join: https://escape2make.org/club/drama-club/
Other workshops include livestreaming, filming, stand-up comedy, baking, magic tricks, arts and crafts and many more. Following an incredibly successful Cabaret in February, the charity is due to take part in the Heritage Festival appearing this summer to explore local history in Lancaster.
The Dukes MoorSpace venue can be found behind the main Dukes Theatre. Despite its small size, the venue was draped with fairy lights and dark materials for cosiness, and an atmospheric light system truly immerses the actors and audience in a theatrical setting.
For some, this was their first time on stage. These young people showcase, quite literally, an incredible amount of confidence and courage. It truly takes powerful voices to construct these unique scenes in a professional manner with minimal props and a plethora of emotion. The effective performances go to show how accomplished our area’s young people are when listened to. Each performance was brought to life through teen voices being heard – at Escape2Make, all activities are chosen by the young people.
The showcase opened with a touching duo-monologue about long-distance friendship, followed by an Arctic Monkeys cover by a talented young guitarist.
Then, we heard the tale of alien abductions and extra-terrestrial life, encouraging each one of us to admire the stars above more often.
From otherworldly space, we then entered an artistic space of museums and statues to question: what is art?
This was followed by an exceptional vocal performance of musical song, and some bitesize conversation on cookies.
To conclude, the cast created a dim-lit restaurant of comic entertainment.
This showcase provided a unique opportunity to watch ideas become tangible and real as each child presented feelings and themes important to them.
From rock ‘n roll to musicals, to emotional monologues and aliens, to culinary comedy about cookies – with imagination and creativity we really can travel anywhere and experience anything!
Credit is due for the artists, all E2M staff, and the young people involved.
Are you a business, young person, parent, or a member of the community willing to donate, get involved creatively, or dedicate voluntary time? Contact info@escape2make.org to enquire, visit www.Escape2Make.org and/or follow @escape2make on social media!
The Performance Studios
Phone: 07495283914
Email: info@theperformancestudios.co.uk
Website: https://theperformanceschool.co.uk/
The Dukes Theatre
Phone: 01524598500
Email: ask@dukeslancaster.org
Website: https://dukeslancaster.org/
West End Playhouse
E-mail: morecambefringe@gmail.com
Website: https://westendmorecambe.co.uk/directory/business/west-end-playhouse/
Article written by Julia Kacala
