“Theatre has helped me realise that the performing arts isn’t some sector that is only possible to succeed in if you have money or power."

“Being a person of colour, theatre has helped me realise that the performing arts isn’t some sector that is only possible to succeed in if you have money or power."

Sayana is from Northampton and is a member of the RSC Youth Advisory Board.  

"Theatre, for me personally, has been an opportunity for me to relax, and forget about the outside world and the pressures of everyday life. I am a very academic person, so being creative has allowed me to have a break from school work, and it has done wonders for my mental wellbeing, and my self-esteem. My confidence has skyrocketed, allowing me not only to perform Romeo and Juliet at four primary schools in Northampton with my cast, but join Debate Club at school, and eventually be selected for the Debate team. Also, being a person of colour, it has helped me realise that the performing arts isn’t some sector that is only possible to succeed in if you have money or power."

Read Sayana's blog

"Theatre means a community where people can come together to enjoy something which has been created to educate and entertain."

Rufaro Mada is a founding member of our Youth Advisory Board (established in January 2019) and previously attended Stratford College. He is currently studying at the Italia Conti Drama School.

"Theatre to me means a community where people can come together to enjoy something which has been created to educate and entertain. It helps me release energy and allows me to develop as a person.

"I want theatre to be an accessible and more diverse community. At the moment there is no equilibrium between the different communities accessing the arts and I hope we begin to involve those communities and sustain the relationships. I also want theatre tickets to be more accessible to everyone, currently the average ticket price for a show in the West End is £52.17 which is a major factor in the lack of diversity of people we have walk in to theatres."

Read Rufaro's blog

“When a young person gets it for the first time – they realise it’s not just posh old fashioned poetry.”

  

James is an A-Level student in Stratford-upon-Avon School and has been a member of the RSC’s Youth Advisory Board since it began in 2019.

"My involvement with the RSC has also really helped me to make a difference in my community, mainly in my school. The RSC invited me to be a Shakespeare Ambassador which involved me promoting Shakespeare through whatever medium we thought would be most effective, mainly to younger audiences. This allowed me to show other people how interesting and fun the stereotypically ‘boring’ Shakespeare can be. I did this through a Key Stage 3 Lunchtime Drama club, which I held once a week.

"The arts matter to me for many reasons. They bring generations together, spreading a message or a story over centuries that is relevant to anyone. The arts also allow me to express myself, ideas, opinions and dreams through entertainment. Working in a team to create a bigger picture, where every single person is needed to make it work is also such a great feeling. With the arts anything is possible!"

Read James's blog

"Seeing other people of colour on stages across the country is incredibly inspiring."

  

Ella is a student from Hull and a member of the RSC Youth Advisory Board.  

"It shows that the RSC care so much about diversity. As a member of the YAB, I am proud of the diversity we have accomplished there. I have often been the only black person in a room of actors, but that isn’t the case in the RSC." 

Read Ella's blog

“Contributing to the work of the truly world-beating RSC Education Department has been deeply rewarding during this time, and a way to engage with people beyond my own bubble."

 

Actor Joseph Kloska was in rehearsals in Stratford when lockdown began. With the show unable to open he shared his love of Shakespeare with students and teachers in the Royal Shakespeare Community.

Read Joseph’s blog

“I was running through the dress rehearsal for my Youth Theatre show the day the government announced the doors of the theatres would close. I was gutted."

 

Freya lives in York and joined our Youth Advisory Board in 2020.

Read Freya's blog

“I can’t wait until I can step through those doors, take my seat, wait for the lights to go down, the audience to hush, and the curtain to rise…"

Beccy is part of Shakespeare Nation, Blackpool. She was part of Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre as a teenager and studies performing arts, before working in social care and admin, becoming a mum and giving up work to care for her disabled husband.

Read Beccy's blog

“I’ve gone from not watching it at all to now not being able to get enough of it!"

Elaine has been a supporter of our Shakespeare Nation project from the start, including using her wide-ranging Blackpool contacts to recruit people to take part. But before lockdown Elaine was always too busy to take part herself.

"It was 1947 when I was first taught Shakespeare. He wasn’t inspirational as he was for others, in fact, I think he could have done with being taught it himself! It was really nothing but reading it from a book and it made no impression on me whatsoever. So I’ve never been a fan of Shakespeare up to now. I’ve learned so much, I’ve learned about the sound of it, the resonance of the text. I’ve gone from not watching it at all to now not being able to get enough of it! As far as what’s being taught to children, I think it’s wonderful. They're going to grow up loving Shakespeare, they’re not going to be like me! I can’t thank you enough."

"Schools are having to adapt significantly and it’s an incredible comfort knowing that we have the RSC supporting us in this new educational challenge.”

Azita is Headteacher of Nelson Mandela Primary School, an RSC Lead Associate School, which heads up a cluster of 12 primary and secondary Associate Schools across Birmingham. Located in Sparkbrook, Birmingham – an area of high cultural diversity – 88% of Nelson Mandela School’s pupils have a first language that is not English and 45% are eligible for free school meals. Its goal is to provide pupils with opportunities to develop their knowledge, performance and oracy skills, and also to enable parents to experience and take an active part in the cultural facilities in the region.

Read Azita's blog

“I drove home in tears. But… opened the doors again on the Monday to a selection of children whose parents were battling against this virus on all kinds of front lines."

Emma is Headteacher of Dowdales School in the Furness peninsula of Cumbria. The mixed 11-16 local authority school of 950 students has been part of our Learning and Performance Network since 2007 and became a Lead Associate School in 2018.

Read Emma's blog

“I find it crazy that by simply 'pretending' a person can provoke all sorts of emotions and reactions from tears to laughter - as a result of this fascination, theatre means the world to me."

Joshua is a member of our Next Generation Act young company, he now attends the BRIT school in London, which trains and educates young people for careers in the arts.

“Despite theatre having such limitless potential, it still suffers from a number of restrictions as a result of ignorance in the world. In my head the future of theatre involves an entirely equal platform for people of all races, backgrounds, religions etc to perform and communicate their points to their audience. Theatre would educate, express and above all else entertain.

“Being part of the RSC Next Generation ACT company has changed my view on theatre for the better. I had never noticed the ways that theatre is used; bringing people from all over the country together, giving those who are less fortunate an opportunity, educating and more. In a more personal way the RSC have given me a glimpse into my future as an actor and given me the information and connections I'll need in the future as an actor.”

“The students I met for a Zoom Q&A in Bradford asked such brilliant questions. All of a sudden, all that matters is passion and communication and empowerment."

 

Actor Andrew French was in rehearsals in Stratford when lockdown began and has been using his time off stage to support our education work with schools and students.

"My garden has never looked better and my youngest son has learned a very great deal about superheroes. The other bonus has been the students and enthusiasts I have met.

"Homework Help questions (thoughtful questions and too long answers, I'm afraid) on the RSC website and Summer School readings all help to remind me, 'There is a world elsewhere'."

Read Andrew's blog