Here at Inspire we work towards doing two major productions per year with each of our groups. Everytime we have a production, the comments we receive from both relatives and people from the acting industry talk about how high the standard of work from this group is. We are a group that will only get better.
The London Showcase
8th December 2009
Soho Theatre, London
The London Showcase was an event for Casting Directors and agents to see our young people. The aim of the showcase was to show them that they have a casting pool of young talent in Nottingham. The feedback from the industry professionals was overwhelming and Inspire Academy plan to stage another, similar event next year.
Peter Pan
1st & 2nd July 2009
Nottingham Arts Theatre
The play was written by the director of the group - Luke Gell. This was an ambitious project. Peter Pan, a beautiful childhood story for many people across all generations. The story was turned completely on its head and portrayed Peter Pan as the coward and Hook as the scorned woman. The message behind the play was that things aren't as simple as good and bad. Everyone has the ability for both. The play went down very well with the audience. The cast pulled off this interesting take on Peter Pan.
Born Yesterday
29th & 30 June 2009
Bonington Theatre
This is a play written and directed by our very own Nic Harvey. The story is of an alternative reality where there are no children. Everyone is born an adult and is born into a job. The play follows the story of a community that struggles to cope when a child is born. This production by the Over 16's showed Inspire to be a thoughtful and complex group. The audience loved it and the standard of Inspire was held high.
Who is Jesse Flood?
18th & 19th June 2009
Bonington Theatre
The first production from a City group in 2009. It came from Inspire's 'afternoon group'. It was the story of a boy who never could quite fit in. Jesse had all sorts of different people around him, good and bad. The audience loved this play. They fell in love with the play and were taken on quite a journey. Lots of laughter and a few tears. Inspire once again proved the quality of its actors with this outstandingly good play.
Tall Stories
15th May 2009
Rushcliffe School Theatre
This was Inspire Academy West Bridgford's first production. A collection of monologues and duologues. As a group they took the audience through an hour of highs and lows, laughter and anguish. A great performance by a great group. This performance proved the West Bridgford group are of the same high standard as its related groups in Nottingham City Centre.
Tell Them
19th December 2008
The Nottingham Arts Theatre
Tell Them topped Nine as inspire's largest cast production to date. 80 young people performed in an evening of comedy sketches, monologues, stories and song. The production was put together in 5 weeks. The work was heavy but the group pulled through and performed in front of a packed audience - 320 at The Nottingham Arts Theatre. Incredible way to finish an incredible year. Luke's comments at the end of the evening - 'Never again...'
Nine
24th & 25th October 2008
The Vine Community Centre
'Nine' was inspire's largest production to date. It had a cast of 40 and a tough story. Over 200 people saw 'Nine' - about a bus, classroom and warehouse, all trying to discover their deaths. It was a heavy piece of work for our 11-16's but they rose to the challenge and Nine proved to be Inspire's most talked about and critically accliamed production of all. Industry people sat up and recognised that Inspire was a workshop of the future.
One
16th August 2008
The Nottingham Arts Theatre
'One' was a collection of monologues and duologues from the Over 16's. The standard of performance on the night was second to none and the group showed versatility and passion in performance. People commented on not knowing what to expect from this evening but went away thinking that the standard of this group is extremely high.
The Summer Course
26th August 2008
The International Community Centre
The Summer Course was held during the school Summer Holidays. It was a day packed with things to do and learn. Rachel Bussell is an accomplished musician and composer, she taught the group some aspects of musical performance. Tara Kirkwood came from London to teach the group contemporary dance and contact impro. Luke and Melissa taught together in an improvisation workshop.
The Easter Course
March 2008
The International Community Centre
The Easter Course was the first time us as Inspire came together with our Sister group 'Urban Young Actors' from Leicester. For two days in the Easter half - term, we joined together for the Easter Course. 65 young people attended the course, which was a symbol of success for our groups. Freddi Kofi taught at the course along with workshops in Shakespeare, Impro and Comedy.
The Chrysalids
March 4th - 7th 2008
The Nottingham Arts Theatre
We have some photos from the most recent productions. More will be added over the coming days. Below is a slide show of pictures. If you are a relative to one of our young people, you may order these photos by sending us an e-mail and quoting the reference number below the photo. We will then e-mail across the photo to you.