Reamus Youth Theatre

Brian, Ashley and Heidi in Merry Wives, 2008 - Photo by Anne Robinson
Reamus' "Merry Wives of Windsor" 2008

Who Do I Contact?

Contact the Reamus Youth Director, Heidi Bush
Phone: 0407 306 004
Email: heididymphna@gmail.com

Theatre for Young People

Maitland Reamus Youth Repertory caters for persons aged from 16 to 25 years.

Weekly meetings

Monday is Reamus Night at the Playhouse. Reamus members contribute $2 subscription each night to pay for minor expenses such as refreshments and photocopying.

Reamus Youth Group meets on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9.30pm at the Playhouse Theatre, Maitland.

Reamus members are required to be members of Maitland Repertory Society for insurance purposes.

Reamus Concept

Maitland Reamus Youth Repertory is a group that exists to aid young people in developing their acting skills, theatre skills and other techniques used behind the scenes. These skilled and talented people then produce entertainment for the general public.

What events does Reamus do?

Reamus regularly performs short play nights with a variety of one-act plays.

Reamus provides some light entertainment at various venues and has recently performed for dinner shows.

The Reamus team performed at the Tamworth Dramatic Society's Drama Fest in October, 2003 and again in June, 2004. A number of plays were performed and the group came away with a host of awards -

  • Best Actor (Male Lead) - Llew Robinson
  • Best Actors (Female Leads) - Renaye Loryman and Meghann Smith
  • Best Actor (Support Role) - Kevin Dangel
  • Adjudicators Award - "Putting the Pal in Principal" which was written by, directed by and starred Ben Martin
  • Encouragement Award and Second Place for Production of "Two Women and A Chair".

Reamus Youth Theatre were also successful at the Wyong Encore 2004 Festival in August, 2004.

Workshops and Learning

Rod Ansell, actor and director of Newcastle, facilitates regular workshops for Reamus Youth Theatre members. They study character voices, resonance, articulation, breathing and correct use of the voice.

Play writing workshops encourage Reamus members to write their own material. Ben Martin has written many plays that have been performed successfully by Reamus at their Short Play nights and at Drama Festivals. Ben's play, 'Milking the System' was written with guidance from Mark Gauntlett of Newcastle.

Other workshops, such as acting and movement, photography, make up, mime and circus skills have taken place to increase Reamus skills and knowledge.

Scholarships were offered in 2003 and 2004 for Reamus members to attend NIDA workshops on acting, directing and teaching drama. More scholarships will be offered in the future for Reamus members.

Mentors

If you are interested in lending your expertise and sharing your skills and talents, please ring Heidi Bush phone: 0407 306 004 email: heididymphna@gmail.com as mentors are always needed and appreciated.

News excerpts:

BEST YOUTH THEATRE
"Newcastle youth shows certainly weren't lacking in quality but the most outstanding work was done by Reamus Youth Theatre, the 16 - 25 year old group of Maitland Repertory Society. Rod Ansell's production of Romeo and Juliet with these performers was one of the best I have ever seen of the play."

-Ken Longworth, Newcastle herald
YOUTH THEATRE TO HELP KIDS DEVELOP SKILLS FOR DRAMA AND FOR LIFE
Maitland Mercury article of 7 March 2001

GIVING youth a forum for self expression and growth is the inspiration behind the creation of a new youth theatre group in Maitland. Reamus Youth Theatre is an extension of Maitland Repertory Society catering for 16 to 25 year olds. The group hopes to encourage young people to become well adjusted and confident adults through the Society's new venture.

The new group meets weekly and will participate in acting classes, produce plays, enter competitions, as well as run fundraising activities. Members are being trained in all aspects of the theatre from liaising with the media to the finances of running a non-profit organisation.
FIRST MASTER CLASS WEEKEND WITH THE BELL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
Nell Hourn from The Bell Shakespeare Company conducted a Master Class weekend in August, 2001 for the Reamus Youth Theatre Members. Eighteen young people attended, had a great time and learnt about creativity, characterisation, dramatisation, movement and improvisation.The theme for the weekend was "My First Love" and plays that were workshopped included two plays by the late playwright Nick Enright (A Property of the Clan and Spurboard), Michael Gow's Away and Cosi by Louis Nowra.