Shetland Youth Theatre: Moving on!

Martha

How did you first become involved with Shetland Youth Theatre, and how long have you been taking part? 

I first became involved in SYT in Lockdown, when one of my friends who knew I was interested in drama recommended it to me. When I first joined, Steph was running it via Zoom. I was in first year when I joined and that was back in 2021, I have been a member of SYT for the past 6 years since then.

Looking back on your time with Shetland Youth Theatre, what has been your favourite memory or proudest achievement?

I have had so many amazing memories from my time at SYT. I will always remember my first SYT Easter Intensive, in which we got together to rehearse for a play called “Tuesday” by Alison Carr. I remember SYT being structured in a new way to what I was used to and that really intrigued me. Another one of my favourite memories would be from when SYT performed a musical called “Lost Boy” – it was so cool to be able to, as a singer and an actor, bring those two things I love together and use that to tell a story.

I think my proudest achievement of being in SYT is when we were selected (out of all the versions of our play) at National Theatre Connections in 2021 as the favourite piece. We got to work with people from the Connections team who came up to Shetland and we filmed the performance to be shown for the Traverse Theatre.

What will you miss most about Shetland Youth Theatre?

What I will miss most about SYT is the energy, the laughs we have and the connection between us all! Our ability to work as such a great team and to check in with each other is something I really cherish. SYT is such a welcoming place to be and has always been a highlight of my week, I have made so many great friendships with those who are there. 

How has being part of SYT helped you develop, either as a performer or as a person?

SYT has helped me develop in so many ways. From coming out of my shell and becoming more confident in myself, and learning there are other people like me, who are creative and different, to being able to take on complex character choices, and knowing how to ground myself as an actor. Steph has taught us, with her years of experience and using the work of lots of interesting theatre practitioners, so many useful, insightful and innovative ways to make ourselves more confident as an actor and to bring so many techniques into characterisation when looking into playing new roles.

What are you going on to study, and what area of theatre are you most excited to explore? 

I am going on to study Musical Theatre, doing an HND course. I’m very excited to jump into the world of musical theatre and explore how to tell a story through song and dance as well as acting.

What advice would you give to young people who would like to join SYT?

GO FOR IT! SYT is so educational and helpful, not just for those who want to go into acting, but also for those who want a break from our crazy world, to enjoy the magic of theatre and the family and support that SYT brings. DO IT! SYT is the best!

Alfie

How did you first become involved with Shetland Youth Theatre, and how long have you been taking part? 

I first became involved with SYT during an Easter Intensive when Steph asked if I wanted to come along. She then introduced me to Tim, who showed me around the lighting desk and some of the other technical elements of Mareel’s auditorium. That was my first introduction to technical theatre, and it sparked my interest straight away.

Looking back on your time with Shetland Youth Theatre, what has been your favourite memory or proudest achievement?

My favourite memory from SYT is that very first day I was shown around all the technical equipment.

What will you miss most about Shetland Youth Theatre?

Definitely the people. I loved every session and being part of bringing each production to life. Seeing the performers on stage, while having the opportunity to create the lighting and sound that helped tell the story. 

How has being part of SYT helped you develop, either as a performer or as a person?

SYT has helped me develop hugely as a technician. “Variations” was the first production I ever solo tech’d, and it gave me the confidence and experience to build the skills I have today. 

What are you going on to study, and what area of theatre are you most excited to explore? 

I’m going on to study Technical Theatre & Production Arts, and I’m most excited to learn more about stage lighting for both theatre productions and live music events. 

What advice would you give to young people who would like to join SYT?

If you’re considering joining, definitely go for it! Even if being on stage isn’t your thing, SYT is a great place to explore all the different roles within a theatre company and discover what you enjoy most.

Nayana

How did you first become involved with Shetland Youth Theatre, and how long have you been taking part? 

I first joined Shetland Youth Theatre when I was 13 years old. Before that, I was part of ALICE Theatre, which was led by Stephenie Georgia. Once I moved into S2, I was too old to continue with ALICE Theatre, so I was then encouraged to join Shetland Youth Theatre! I wanted to keep building my confidence, learn new skills, and challenge myself to work with new people. SYT has given me the opportunity to grow both as a performer and as a person, and it has strengthened my passion for theatre.

Looking back on your time with Shetland Youth Theatre, what has been your favourite memory or proudest achievement?

I have so many favourite memories of my time in SYT, but one that really stands out is at one of our annual intensives. We worked with Erica Hughes and her research team from the University of Portsmouth to create two contemporary theatre pieces based on what it’s like to live in a coastal community. The project became a production called “The Ripple Effect”, showing that in a close-knit place like Shetland, one person’s actions can create a ripple effect that impacts everyone, especially for young people.

One of my favourite parts was leading a discussion about what it’s like to grow up as a teenager in Shetland. We spent time sharing our experiences and perspectives, and it was a really open and supportive conversation. It felt rewarding to know that our voices were genuinely being heard and that our experiences helped shape the performance.

What will you miss most about Shetland Youth Theatre?

What I’ll miss most about Shetland Youth Theatre is that it’s always been a safe, welcoming, and creative space where you could truly be yourself.  Every week, I could leave my worries at the door and spend time with a kind, supportive group of people who all share the same love of theatre. 

I’ll also miss all the inside jokes that get passed down through each generation, they’re part of what makes SYT so special. It really feels like a family.

How has being part of SYT helped you develop, either as a performer or as a person?

Being part of Shetland Youth Theatre has definitely made me a more confident person, both on stage and in everyday life. It’s helped me come out of my shell, trust myself more, and not be afraid to put myself out there. It’s also played a huge part in giving me the confidence to move away and study acting, which is something I’m really excited about!

What are you going on to study, and what area of theatre are you most excited to explore? 

I’m moving away this year to study an HND Acting and Performance, and after that, I hope to continue studying at university. I chose this course because I’m really interested in site-specific theatre, which is something that I’ve had the chance to explore before and really enjoyed. I also love that the course encourages collaboration with students from the other creative courses. I love the idea of bringing different creative perspectives together, because I think the best theatre comes from people working together and sharing ideas. I’m excited to keep developing as a performer and to study something that I’ve loved for so many years.

What advice would you give to young people who would like to join SYT?

My advice would be to just go for it. Joining Shetland Youth Theatre is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s given me so many opportunities that I never would have had otherwise, and it’s helped me grow so much in confidence and as a person.  

I’ve also made some of my closest friends through SYT – two of them are actually going to be studying at the same campus as me! We all met through SYT, so it’s really nice that we’re able to take the next step together after spending so many years creating theatre together. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for, and it’s one of the many reasons I’d recommend joining.