Welcome
About
Winscombe Youth Theatre was founded over 30 years ago by Theresa Hemming with a small group of students. The group started at Winscombe Community Centre and staged their first productions at the local primary school.
Since then, the group has expanded both in size and age range (which now spans from 4-16yrs.) WYT has staged well over 40 productions in the last 29 years, including "Guys and Dolls", "West Side Story", "Fame", "Little Shop of Horrors" "Annie", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Aladdin", "Our Day Out" and "The Wizard of Oz." WYT has also branched out into traditional theatre staging productions such as Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and “Blood Brothers” by Willy Russell.
WYT is affiliated to NODA. (National Operatic and Dramatic Assoc) Classes are held on Saturdays at Churchill Academy and students are taught all 3 disciplines of drama, singing and dance by a small team of qualified dedicated specialist teachers. The aim is to build confidence and self- esteem within a fun environment. Students learn to express themselves and develop their full potential. They are introduced to the various techniques of acting and learn to project their voices and communicate effectively. They work in small groups, pairs and individually in role plays, improvisations and various dramatic situations.
Private Tuition for LAMDA Exams and Arts Festivals
Our LAMDA teacher offers private and semi-private lessons to prepare for LAMDA Examinations and Arts Festivals in Acting and Verse and Prose at a subsidised rate to WYT students. Taking part and preparing for LAMDA Examinations and Arts Festivals assists in development of confidence, communication skills and appreciation of the written word. They introduce the students to a wide range of writers and dramatists. Students working with Miss Hemming have achieved 100% pass rate with Merits and Distinctions and have entered local Arts Festivals in most age categories since 2000. For further information please email Miss Hemming directly on stagepost@hotmail.co.uk.
Theatre trips are organised on a regular basis.
Past students have progressed to drama school and university to pursue their theatrical studies and have secured places at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, The Cygnet Training School, Exeter, The Drama Centre London, East 15 Acting School London, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London, Rose Bruford College, The Actor Works Drama School, Italia Conti Theatre School and various universities studying Performing Arts and Theatre and Film Studies.
“Whether it is a hobby or leads to a career on the stage, WYT is a fun relaxed environment which gives knowledge and experience to its students” - Jo, past studen
Staff
Theresa Hemming - Principal
Theresa trained at Birmingham School of Drama and did a Post Graduate course at Birmingham University. She has taught Speech and Drama in schools in the Midlands and South West of England for many years.
Theresa first became interested in the Theatre at the age of 11 years and regularly took part in Drama and Music Festivals in the Midlands. Upon graduation she worked in the theatre in the Birmingham area and London. She taught EFL at Berlitz School of Languages in Birmingham and London for over 5 years where she also trained teachers and assessed students.
She has appeared in many leading roles with operatic and drama societies including Lichfield, Sutton Coldfied and Weston Operatic Societies and has directed for various groups up and down the country. Theresa founded WYT in 1990 and now spends her time teaching Drama in local schools and running the Winscombe Youth Theatre.
Maria Hemming - Partner and Drama Teacher
Maria joined our teaching staff a number of years ago. She has a degree in Politics and International Relations from Southampton University and a PGCE from Southbank University, London. She started her acting career in WYT playing numerous roles in our annual productions(Guys and Dolls, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors and West Side Story), taking Lamda examinations and entering various drama and dance festivals in the South West.
Maria has performed in productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has stage-managed a number of productions including Romeo and Juliet (at Abbeyfest in London), Dracula and Aladdin. She worked as a comedy agent in London working with Russell Howard, Frank Skinner, Harry Hill and Al Murray.Following this she worked on the final Harry Potter film (The Deathly Hallows). Currently she is an active member of WODS (Worle Operatic and Dramatic Society) where she has performed in The Sound of Music and Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2012 she qualified as a Primary School Teacher and Drama Specialist.
Maria has acted, Stage Managed, Produced and Directed many stage productions in London, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in the West Country, having trained at LAMDA and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She has worked on some exciting films and TV programmes including "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2", "Dr Who", "Sanditon", "Chloe" and “Alex Rider”.
As well as acting full time, she is now Partner at Winscombe Youth Theatre School, runs our annual Summer Theatre School and prepares students privately for LAMDA Examinations in Acting and Verse & Prose.
Stephanie Lee - Singing Teacher
Steph has been performing onstage since the age of 4. She initially trained in ballet, tap, modern and jazz dance, then at the age of 7 joined a youth theatre group in Somerset and pursued a passion for singing and acting. Whilst growing up, Steph competed in several singing festivals across the South West and has a big love for Musical Theatre!
She graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2008 with BA Hons in Drama & Theatre Studies and has a PGCE from Bath Spa University.
Over the last 14 years, Steph has performed a variety of Principal roles with Bristol Musical Theatre. She also co-directed the group's 2019 production of Gershwin’s ‘Crazy for You,’ taking home the ‘First Corporate Coup de Theatre’ Rose Bowl award on the South West, for best dramatic achievement.
She has recently performed with Oxford-based theatre company '3 Chairs and a Hat' and 'Misplaced Theatre' in Bristol. And has also taken part in the 2023 'All England One Act Play Festival.'
Stephanie Coates - Singing Teacher
Stephanie has been a part of show business since a very young age, both professional and amateur. Trained at Arts Educational Schools London. A finalist in BBC Radio Carleton Hobbs Bursary award. She has also worked within film and television, both acting and behind the camera.
Her favourite theatre roles to date have been Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde, Maria in The Sound of Music, Edith Davenport in Cause Celebré and Mother in Goodnight Mister Tom.
Stephanie also works as a voice over artist; narrating both fiction and non-fiction audio books and adverts. She partakes in many various singing and dance engagements.
Stephanie loves having the privilege of being able to share her knowledge and expertise to inspire other budding talents at WYT.
Perdita - Dance Teacher
Perdita studied ballet (RAD), Modern Dance and National Dance from the age of 7yrs with Miss Hazel Durant and Miss Rosamund Mussell at The Studio in WSM.
She trained at the London College of Dance and Drama and Bedford College gaining a BEd in Dance and Drama.
After teaching dance in Sweden for 8 years she returned to the UK to teach RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern Dance, Creative Dance, Dance GCSE and Drama GCSE.
Perdita has choreographed many musicals and loves working with students of all ages.
Why not book a taster session today?
News
WYT Turns 30!
To celebrate their 30th anniversary WYT presents "The Day the Doctor Visited WYT," This is a showcase of drama, songs and dances from some of the shows WYT has done over the last 30 years such as Annie, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Blood Brothers.
WYT runs on Saturdays and is based at Churchill Academy.
Murder Mystery Night!
We are holding this fundraising event on Saturday 29th Feb 2020 at 7.30pm at Winscombe Royal British Legion Function Room. Tickets are £15 per person (adults only) and include dinner, 1930s Murder Mystery Act and singing sensation Natasha T Green! So get dressed up in your favourite 1930s attire and come join in the fun!
For more information or to book: 01934 843952 or email stagepost@hotmail.co.uk.
Past Students
STEFANIE MARTINI was a member of WYT for many years. She graduated from RADA.
Credits Include:
- EMERALD CITY, NBC
- DOCTOR THORNE, BBC
- ENDEAVOUR, ITV
- THE LAST KINGDOM
DARREN JOHN (Martyn) who joined WYT when he was 8 yrs old was a member for many years. He's now starring in the musical "Madagascar".
Credits Include:
- GREASE
- STARLIGHT EXPRESS
- SUNSET BOULEVARD
- SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
- THE ROLLER BOYS
- HIGH SCHOOL ROCKS
- 42ND ST
- MADAGASCAR
- BOOK OF MORMON
HARVEY ROBINSON was a member of WYT from the age of 7-18 yrs. During his time with us he played many leading roles in various musicals and plays. He went on to train at The Cygnet Training Theatre, Exeter.
Credits Include:
- JERUSALEM AT THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE, WEST END AND BROADWAY
- BARDOLPH’S BOX (UNITY THEATRE)
- WE ARE ONE (WEST END)
- WHAT YOU WILL (SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE)
- THE CURING ROOM (PLEASANCE THEATRE, EDINBURGH)
- DUSTY (CHARING CROSS THEATRE)
- CHARLIE’S AUNT (NATIONAL TOUR)
- THE RIVALS (NATIONAL TOUR)
- MOVING THE WORLD (BIKESHED THEATRE
- NORTHANGER ABBEY (TOUR)
- LITTLE RED AND THE BIG BAD WOLF (UNITY THEATRE)