Aged 12–19? Then Sweeney needs YOU!

I'm pleased to announce that the Society be offering support to this summer's production of Sweeney Todd by the South London Youth Theatre (SLYT). Stephen Sondheim has always talked about teaching as the "sacred profession", and groups such as SLYT provide an invaluable extra-curricular education in musical theatre - ever-more important as school budgets are reduced. Families, too, face demands on their purses, and it's sadly the case that opportunities such as music camps and workshops are the often the first things to go. To this end, the Society will be sponsoring four places in SLYT's summer workshop, offering a chance for kids to take part who might otherwise not be able to "attend the tale".

SLYT Artistic Director Spencer James says:

"it's incredibly exciting to be working on Sondheim's masterpiece Sweeney Todd with a company of talented and driven teenagers with a passion for theatre, and we're extremely grateful that The Stephen Sondheim Society has offered us such generous support in order to broaden our reach to a bigger audience, offering this opportunity to those who might not ordinarily be able to take part". These places are worth £350 each and covers the entire two-week course tuition and production. The course runs from Monday 6th August to Saturday 18th August 2018, 10.00-6.00pm daily, giving students a real taste of the professional world of theatre, as they rehearse full time with a professional production team and company of 40 teenagers. The final production is fully staged and will feature an orchestra of 10 musicians. All course information can be found on the SLYT website and auditions are on Sunday 9th July from 2.00–7.00pm in London. SLYT and The Stephen Sondheim Society are very keen to hear from students who would like to take part but may not have the means to pay for such a course, and who would benefit from one of these fully funded places.

Photographs from recent SLYT productions:

SLYT are very proud to have helped train many young actors currently entering the professional world of the theatre. Many of the SLYT students go on to professional training at Arts Educational Schools, Urdang Academy and GSA Conservatoire. If you would like to apply for The Sondheim Society Bursary or would like more information on the course please email: spencer@slyt.co.uk, CCing craig.glenday@sondheim.org Apologies for the very short notice, but even if you can't make it along this Sunday, please still do get in touch - we'll try to accommodate as many applications as possible. Break a leg!