A group of final year Acting students at HSDC South Downs recently formed their own
theatre company, giving them a competitive edge as they leave College and prepare for
exciting careers in the theatre industry.
The formation of their theatre company, Youberry Productions, was completed as part of the
third component of their final year of studies at HSDC. Every part of Youberry’s formation
was down to the students – from crowdfunding to support taking their work on tour to defining
and implementing their own working methods.
They smashed their overall target of crowdfunding £700, raising an incredible £870 –
allowing them to take their performances on tour to Brighton Fringe, where they performed at
the Rotunda Theatre.
Youberry’s debut production, a modern retelling of Anton Chekov’s The Seagull, was a
fantastic success, and premiered as the group’s final performance at HSDC. The Seagull is
famously complex and emotionally nuanced, but the students were able to rise to this
challenge with maturity and creativity, delivering a truly outstanding performance.
Speaking about their version of the play, the students said:
“Putting on a version of a Russian play written in 1895 was always going to be
challenging. This is a play of four acts, each is linear and in real time. We wanted to
redefine that, keeping the story relevant whilst applying its setting and characters to
modern times.”
The students were also exceptionally proud to have received a 4-Star Review from
BroadwayBaby, a leading theatre review website.
The process of building their own theatre company has provided these former students with
invaluable hands-on experience that all learners at South Downs can expect. Their
experience with Youberry Productions showcases not only their exceptional artistic abilities,
but also their entrepreneurial prowess and desire to succeed in a fiercely competitive
industry.
Jimmy Ryan-Shedden, an Acting lecturer at South Downs, said:
“Thank you to everyone who supported our students throughout this tour. Your
support, whether you donated or bought tickets, really does make a difference.
Launching Youberry Productions has given these students a real opportunity to build
their careers on their own terms. It’s been a true honour to witness.”
Everybody at HSDC is exceptionally proud of all the members of Youberry Productions, and
wishes them all the best of luck in their future endeavours.
Find out more about studying a Performing Arts Course at South Downs here:
https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/course-finder/?keyword=&campus=1154&study_type=&interest=1073