Introducing Dynamo Youth Theatre

Dynamo Youth Theatre is a performance-based theatre group using the facilities of the Havant Arts Centre, Havant, Hampshire, providing drama, music and dance experience for 65 young people aged between 11 and 18.

Created in 1981 by Andrew Bowker and a group of enthusiastic adults, Dynamo was formed to develop the skills in performing arts for the young people of the area, outside of the school environment. Our productions since that time are now approaching eighty, with an eclectic mix including well known musicals, drama, comedy, cabaret and dance reviews, and own composition dramas and musicals.

Dynamo is still independent and self-funding and is dependent on a dedicated group of adults who give up huge amounts of precious leisure time to support the running of Dynamo and the productions. We are proud that several of the founding Committee are still working with today's young people and that ex-members have returned to help backstage and to direct shows.

A year in Dynamo

The Dynamo year varies a little from time to time but the main events have been fairly well established for most of the company's lifetime. A small-cast production for senior members is staged in early September, after the school exams and before the leavers go off to universities or jobs. It is frequently the last production some members will act in before advancing age requires their departure from the company. The production normally runs for four or five performances before the general public.

In October a coach trip to a (usually) West End theatre is very popular.

The main full-cast production takes place in early January. For many years this has been a popular musical, often with the involvement of a live band. Considerable technical effort backstage is supplied by large numbers of parents and other helpers. Five or six performances are very well patronised by the paying public.

The A.G.M is in March or April, coincidentally about the same time as the Director's Challenge for the Liz Goodbody Shield. In this eight teams are formed, each led by a senior member. They write, rehearse and perform a ten minute piece conforming to the theme specified by the Artistic Director, for a panel of judges and an audience of parents.

In May each year the production is normally a formal drama piece with four or five public performances. Some of the more junior members may well find themselves in their first big roles, in the absence of senior members pre-occupied with school exams.

A Revue, performed for parents and helpers brings the year to a close in July. This varied and highly entertaining show is written and performed by the whole company, working in groups.

The Future of Dynamo Youth Theatre???

(Reprinted from the West Side Story programme, January 2008)

Dynamo has been based here at the Havant Arts Centre since it was founded in 1981. During these 26 years, most of the shows have been performed here but we have found that the size of the stage is becoming increasingly a constraint on staging our large cast shows. In particular, a modern, imaginative set leaves little room for energetic dance movement.

Additionally, in recent years, the Arts Centre has been much more energetic in attracting shows, audiences and a variety of other activities into the building. This has resulted in Dynamo having difficulties in getting as much rehearsal time as needed and in having access to the theatre for set construction and on-set rehearsal as far ahead of the first night as we had in the past. Without the generosity of St Faith's church allowing us almost unlimited access to the church hall for rehearsals and advance construction of the set, we would find it impossible to stage a show like "West Side Story" or last year's "Tommy".

During this year, the Committee of Dynamo have been actively exploring whether a building in the area could be acquired as our headquarters -- for the Monday workshops, twice weekly rehearsals before a show, storage of our costumes, set building equipment and materials and to enable the group to expand the age range downwards to include a junior section for children younger than the current joining age and upwards to include a senior section from the present leaving age of 18 up to 25.

Can you help us in our search for a building and help with fund raising?

As a minimum, we need somewhere central which is easy to get to using public transport, provide 2 rooms that can be used for rehearsals and as much storage space as possible. It is not essential for the building to be exclusive to Dynamo but we would like to have first call on the facilities. If you have any ideas or would be willing to help us with time and/or expertise, please get in touch by e-mailing mail@dyt.org.uk.

We hope you enjoy our website. Please get in touch to let us know what you think of the site or to request more information. We're particularly keen to hear from ex-cast and committee members whom we've lost touch with over the years. web@dyt.org.uk