BRADFORD YOUTH PLAYERS
BYP Registered Charity Number: 1102702
BYP Seniors is open to anyone age 16-25 (school year 12+). Members do not need any previous performing arts experience, and there is a strong emphasis on allowing young people to develop their own skills, abilities and personalities in the context of staged dramatic and musical theatre performances. The Seniors meet regularly on Thursday evenings (7.30-9.30pm) between September and July at BYP's base, Little Lane Church Community Hall.
The Seniors perform a musical in a local theatre each summer, and perform a range of fundraising events throughout the year such as one-night-only events and straight plays.
In 2009/10 the Seniors will present fully-staged productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Rent (Bradford amateur premiere production!). For more information see the links on the left of this panel.
Tickets for the 2009-10 programme are available in the Online Bookings section of this website. Details of past BYP Seniors events can be found in the production archive.
Ian has been musical director of BYP Seniors since 2004, and took over as section leader in summer 2007. In addition to his theatrical work with BYP, he is MD for some other performing societies in West Yorkshire. Ian's 'day job' is as a Research Assistant in the School of Music at the University of Leeds, where he is also doing a PhD investigating the orchestration of film scores.
A former youth player herself, Kathryn returned to BYP Seniors as choreographer for Fiddler on the Roof in 2009. An extremely active member of the amateur dramatics circuit in the region, Kathryn brings to BYP a unique combination of boundless energy(!), practical experience and, having been a member herself, a real understanding of the BYP philosophy. We are delighted that she is working with the Seniors again on RENT.
Dave has been involved with BYP for the last four years, starting as rehearsal accompanist for West Side Story in 2006. A firm favourite with the members ("Dave, Dave, give us a wave!"), we are delighted that he is able to join us again this year in part thanks to funding obtained by the members. Dave is currently undertaking a PhD in the School of Music at the University of Leeds, looking at aspects of music psychology and film music.
The Seniors have a Members' Committee which assists in the running of the section, contributing to areas such as funding and publicity, and ensuring that the views and opinions of the members are known, understood and acted upon as appropriate. Elections are held towards the end of each year, usually at the BYP Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July, and members are eligible for re-election to the Committee.
BYP Seniors presented a highly successful Cabaret Night on Saturday November 6th at 7.30pm. The event was at BYP's base in Little Lane Church Community Hall (BD9 5HD), and featured songs, dances and acts from a large number of Seniors group members.
The Cabaret was well attended and very well received by all who saw it, and was an excellent showcase for the talented young people at BYP Seniors.
BYP Seniors staged Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 February 2010.
Auditions for principal parts were held on Thursdays 17 & 24 September during the normal BYP Seniors club sessions at Little Lane, and there were a large number of excellent performances. A principal cast list is given below.
The show was extremely well received by full houses across all three nights, and the members distinguished themselves with superb performances. Several members undertook their first lead roles with the Seniors (or with BYP), and the principals were supported by a strong chorus who demonstrated the strength in depth within the group.
A big thank you must go to Gordon Pearce who stepped (or pehaps more accurately sat) in as the Audrey II plant puppeteer when injury prevented BYP Trustee and former youth player Rick Whyte from doing the role.
Seymour - Jonnie Taylor
Audrey - Emily Cairns
The Urchins:
-- Crystal - Rachel Slack
-- Chiffon - Hannah Butterfield
-- Ronette - Laura Mills-Whittaker
Mushnik - Isaac Eloi
Orin - Chris Avery
Voice of Audrey II (the plant) - Jamie Grieff
Other small parts were played by various members of the chorus.
There was a preview night for anyone interested in taking part in Rent on Thursday 14 January 2010, 7.30-9.30pm during the regular BYP Seniors session. Audition pieces for principal parts were looked at, and the production team explained their vision for the show and how it will work.
Auditions were held for principal parts in Rent on Thursday 4 March 2010 and Saturday 6 March 2010. All 16-25 year olds were welcome to audition or simply to join BYP Seniors in the chorus for the show.
Angel - Scott Murray
Benny - Jonnie Taylor (Understudy: Sam Higgins)
Collins - Matthew Parry (Understudy: Nathan Spafford)
Joanne - Laura Mills-Whittaker (Understudy: Zoe Patrick)
Mark - David Coverdale (Understudy: Jonnie Taylor)
Maureen - Emily Cairns (Understudy: Emily Thornton)
Mimi - Skaii Cross (Understudy: Abbie Marsh)
Roger - David Wilson
Other parts are played by various BYP Seniors members.
Thank you to everyone who auditioned. The standard was extremely high.
BYP Seniors will present the Bradford amateur premiere of Rent at Dixon's City Academy on 21-23 July 2010. Rehearsals for the show will take place during normal BYP Seniors sessions on Thursday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm, with some additional sessions on Sundays (3-6pm) as the show approaches. Any young person aged 16-25 is welcome to take part in the show chorus, and anyone (of any age) who would like to be a volunteer helper for the production (front of house, backstage, lighting, stage crew, etc.) should contact Ian Sapiro.
Dates: Wednesday 21 - Friday 23 July 2010
Start Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Dixon's City Academy, Ripley Street, Bradford, BD5 7RR
Tickets: Adults - £9; Concessions - £7; Students and Young People - £5 . Discounts are available for groups of adults and concessions. Tickets are available online through this website. For further information email Ian Sapiro .
Rent is principally about love, relationships and friendship, but the show also deals with adult issues including HIV and Aids, same-sex relationships and drug abuse. Parents and members are advised that the show uses strong language and is, at times, rather 'in your face', but this is always in an attempt to remain true to life, not to trivialise important or controversial issues, and to challenge audiences and performers alike to reconsider their own lives and the lives of others.
Jump to: 2010;2009; 2008; 2007
July 2010 - Kathryn Tonks appointed Deputy Leader and Drama Coach with BYP Seniors.
April 2010 - Val Brogden leaves BYP Seniors to become leader of the new BYP Drama Club, established with funding from the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament, with which we wish her all the very best. Kathryn Tonks takes on responsibility as director for RENT.
February 2010 - Kathryn Tonks returns to the Seniors staff to work as choreographer for RENT.
September 2009 - Rachel Shaw joins the Seniors staff part-time to work as choreographer on our production of Little Shop of Horrors.
July 2009 - Kristen Vogelsang leaves BYP after completing her Masters course and moving away from the area. Val Brogden joins the Seniors' staff as our new drama coach.
May 2009 - BYP Seniors perform at the Vinvolved awards in Bradford, previewing some of Fiddler on the Roof ahead of their summer production.
February 2009 - former member Kathryn Tonks returns to BYP, joining the Seniors' staff as choreographer (part-time) for Fiddler on the Roof.
October 2008 - BYP Seniors upper age limit raised to 25.
July 2008 - A Chorus Line receives excellent reviews from NODA. The first Maggie Awards are presented.
June 2008 - Steph Cull leaves BYP Seniors as her family relocates to Wales. We thank Steff for her valuable contribution to A Chorus Line, and wish her and her family all the best for the future.
March 2008 - Six members of BYP Seniors take part in a masterclass session on 'Performing through Song' with West End performer Jon Robyns. Jon originated the parts of Princeton and Rod in the West End production of Avenue Q, and is currently playing Marius in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, London.
February 2008 - BYP give World Premiere production of a new play, Dotty, by Robert Coke-Woods.
January 2008 - Steph Cull (choreographer) and Dave Ireland (rehearsal accompanist) join Seniors staff.
November 2007 - BYP Seniors receive £2,950 funding from Bradford Youth Grantmakers
October 2007 - BYP Seniors receive £40,900 funding from the Youth Opportunities and Youth Capital Funds
July 2007 - Kristen Vogelsang appointed Drama Coach with BYP Seniors.
July 2007 - Marguerite Jennings retires from BYP after 30 years' service. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours. Ian Sapiro takes over as Seniors section leader.