A breeding place for local talent

By Joel James BBC Blast Reporter, BBC York & North Yorkshire

The YMCA has been producing a high quality of acting talent

Following the recent success stories of past YMCA students Joel James investigates why the Scarborough based youth theatre company has been producing some of the most talented youngsters in the country.

I was given the tour by show director, Kerry Nicholson. With a fitness centre, a gymnasium, three dance suites and an impressive auditorium complete with state of the art lighting and sound, this place certainly has the facilities to produce stars.

I was looking for more than just facilities though; I wanted to know what the YMCA has in particular that has been producing such a high quality of acting talent. I asked executive director, Chris Wilby, who has been in the business 45 years:

Young actress Emilie Slade studies Musical Theatre at college

"The staff work as a great team; they're enthusiastic about putting everything into their work and that's how we get the most out of the young actors and actresses.

"We have very high expectations of them. They are responsible for the set design, making props, selling programs and lots of other backstage jobs as well as the onstage acting. You can see shy and quiet kids turn into confident, responsible people in a very short amount of time."

Young actress Emilie Slade, 17, who has been at the YMCA for a year and also studies Musical Theatre at college told me what she thought about the Scarborough based Theatre Company:

"The people and the atmosphere make it so special. I've improved so much since being at the YMCA. The feeling after finishing a show is just amazing!

"It's like an escape for the cast and somewhere to go for the audience. It's a way to have fun rather than just be at home or on the streets. Places like this are very important to get the experience, confidence and ability needed for a career in theatre."

Scarborough's YMCA has seen a lot of young talent come through its doors over the years. Most recently ex-YMCA actors Ben James-Ellis and Jake Pratt have taken the acting world by storm, landing roles in the West End.

Scarborough's YMCA has seen a lot of young talent come through its doors

YMCA veteran David Nicholson, who has been performing for 24 years and now helps manage the company, explains why he thinks the project is so important for the local area:

"You still see things in the papers about the 'problem youth' of Scarborough and they blame unsociable behaviour on a lack of things to do. When you look at the young actors and actresses who come through here and the ones who've left, you can see how their experience here has spring boarded them to success. We're one of only two YMCAs in the country with the facilities needed for the youngsters to pursue a career in theatre.

"The success of the people who have gone on from here is an inspiration to us all and has also seen a rise in applicants for the YMCA, so hopefully the pool of talent will keep growing."

Chris, who has worked with the YMCA for the past 38 years is due to retire but expressed how sad he will be to leave:

"It's going to be very difficult to leave after such a long time, I will stay involved as a volunteer but I won't be allowed to interfere! Kerry and David Nicholson, who will be in charge when I leave, have the ability to keep this place going forward. Nothing can stop it!"

YMCA veteran David Nicholson has been performing for 24 years

There was just enough time before my train home to catch half an hour of the YMCA's current production Family Showtime, and what a half an hour it was! A 50-strong cast performed musical numbers from Kylie, David Essex and the Eurythmics. Great costumes, comedy, dancing, singing and some good old crowd participation made it difficult not to be entertained.

Current names to watch out for are teenagers, James Aconley, Nathan Ellis, Jordan Lonsdale and Jodie Willet who are among the latest crop of stars of the future coming through the YMCA's ranks.

The overall feeling of community spirit you get as soon as you walk through the doors combined with the amount of effort and enthusiasm that staff put into the project makes Scarborough's YMCA a vital and vibrant part of Scarborough's local arts scene.