Do you remember the first time you wanted to learn how to fly? From screen to stage, some of us will remember Fame from the 80's TV hit, others from the stage show musical or the re-adapted more recent movie.
I'm a first time around dreamer. Every Thursday night, armed with my own teenage dreams from the sofa, dressed in my maroon Fame sweater and captivated by the signature theme words of Lydia Grant in the Fame dance studio, “You’ve got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying in sweat”...cue music, star jumps and happy tunes!
That was New York School of Performing Arts, PA, in the 80’s. This time around, PA was transformed at Belfast's urban shared-activity space in the Titanic Quarter, T13, and the stars were some 80 local children from 10 to 22, all with their own dreams. Headline sponsored by Belfast City Airport and produced by MT4Uth, the kids and their dreams were about to find out if they could learn how to fly, and it wasn't going to be easy.
Auditions were held at George Best Belfast City Airport in June. And they were no ordinary auditions - young hopefuls, from all over the Province, live-auditioned in song and dance trials to audiences of summer check-in and arrival passengers to the airport.
But, incredibly, it was only I week before curtain that the casting was actually completed! A week-long boot-camp of rehearsals and non-stop professional choreography and mentoring to children who may never have acted or danced before.
This is as real as the Fame experience gets - one week to produce a 2 night show of one of the most famous dance musicals of all time!
Michelle Hatfield, Director of HR and Corporate Responsibility at BCA is delighted that the airport was involved as the headline sponsor, “The airport’s partnership with MT4Uth has allowed us to play such a significant role in supporting and developing this incredible talent”
The Dream came from
Music Theatre for Youth, CEO Jenny Cook. Now on its 8th anniversary, patronised by musical stars such as Chris de Burgh and Niamh Perry, MT4Uth was borne from a vision of educating, training and networking young people, from all backgrounds, to achieve their dreams.
Jenny’s commitment to the young people of Ireland in the Arts is exemplary and MT4Uth is the platform for apprentice programmes, outreach initiatives and productions since 2005, funded and supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Believing in the dream had endless support. A line up of local business leaders joined Belfast City Airport as the headline sponsor to help fund and make the event possible. George Best Belfast City Airport is active in community support with more than £100, 000 already invested in projects. As well as transforming the airport to a temporary stage school for Fame auditions, apprenticeship opportunities with MT4Uth will follow through into 2014.
And did they achieve? Only real dreams can make the impossible possible. An exceptional cast with formidable determination and passion, the focus and success defied their young age. The show was perfectly staged in the gritty graffiti setting of the H&W shipbuilding turned skate-park, T13, the cast were script perfect and the dance and song was executed flawlessly. Had I had my leg warmers, I would have been tempted to join them on stage!
I was delighted to be invited to cover the show. Fame was one of my childhood dreams, but now one of Belfast’s most aspirational and inspirational projects for young people this year. A great example of ‘Go big, or go home’. MT4uth is an inspiration to local business to help support the dreams and talent of NI young people. Belfast City Airport is proud to have been involved in this very special project, and look forward to many more.
Thank you, too, for the opportunity to cover the production and blog my dreams!
'Till next time, Pandora
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