RED SCARE YOUTH THEATRE (2021)
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May Chadwick
Alex (Cast A), Ellen (Cast B), Sound Design May Chadwick is 16 years old and attends St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie. She has done drama since 2016, gaining experience in performing, improv, and writing. May has found being part of Red Scare Youth Theatre to be a great way to gain confidence and experience, and to connect with others who share her passion for the arts. |
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Hunter Chippindale
Jed (Cast A), Props Although Hunter has had an interest in theatre for a long time, they’ve rarely had the opportunity to explore this interest in full. So the Red Scare Youth company was a pleasant surprise, and a great opportunity. They're looking forward to experiencing Battle Hymn with everyone, not just as a rehearsal but as a show that’ll (hopefully) captivate the audience through emotionally charged characters and unique setting. |
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Maddie Gillespie
Ellen (Cast A), Chris (Cast B), Stage Manager Maddie has been involved in the Wellington theatre scene since she was young, performing in productions with the Bacchanals, Wellington Summer Shakespeare and Wellington Young Actors, to name a few. Maddie was a member of the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2019, training at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. She is currently a student at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. |
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Rowan Goldsack
Jamie (Cast A), John (Cast B), Music Director Rowan is a student at Chilton Music School, who loves being able to perform and be a part of theatre. Some of his highlights include, Mother Superior in Nunsense and Steve in She Skills Monsters. He looks forward to finishing Year 13 this week, and engaging different aspects of the performing arts next year. He is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing production. |
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Wiremu Johnston
Rowan (Cast A), Jamie (Cast B), Music Director Wiremu has been doing theatre since Year 4 and has been involved in many productions and musicals, both minor and major. Wiremu has had an absolute blast working with the rest of the cast of Battle Hymn and is thrilled to see what the futures of his fellow castmates looks like. |
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Angus Lindsay
Gabe (Cast B), Operator Gus found himself in the right place at the right time becoming an understudy for RSYT and getting to play the role of Gabe in Cast B. He’s a two-time Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival award winner, and aspiring filmmaker. He had to spend literally hours memorising his lines and all the fantastic songs in Battle Hymn, and is excited to play a small part in bringing the play to life. |
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Melitta Lukovzski
Rosa (Cast A), Alex (Cast B), Costume Design Melitta is a 16 year old student who aspires to become a professional in the performing industry. She says preparing for her characters has been an amazing challenge, through learning to refine the subtlety of body language and eye contact in this promenade show where the audience can be up so close. Melitta loves the inclusivity and versatility of theatre and the energy that’s created upon the stage, to form an atmosphere that the audience are able to invest themselves in. |
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Kelly Mui
Gabe (Cast A), Rosa (Cast B), Set & Lighting Design There's not a bone in Kelly's body that is not creative. Drawing and painting from the age of three, acting and performing from the age of six, she lives and breathes for the creative arts and the theatre industry. Battle Hymn has been her favourite production to date, pushing her out of her comfort zone, learning new things, and allowing her to use her artistic background to contribute to an incredible show supported by incredible castmates. Kelly is currently studying at Victoria University majoring in Theatre. |
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Connor Norris
John (Cast A), TJ (Cast B), Sound Design Connor is a 17 year old performer that is passionate about all aspects of the arts, filling his life with years of Shakespeare, poetry, dance, and singing. He has been in several musicals, most recently playing Claude in Otaki Player's production of HAIR. Battle Hymn is Connor's first immersive theatre show, and he is incredibly excited to be a part of it. |
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Blue Pilkington-Ching
Avery (Cast A), Jed (Cast B), Props Blue first started acting when he saw his school (Aotea College) perform the musical Hairspray. He liked the experience a lot, and so decided to get involved in the following school productions each year, as well as the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare performances. He loves being a part of Red Scare Youth, with the opportunity to grow in the subject of drama, and being able to put on advanced shows with awesome people beside him. |
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Jacynta Scurfield
Mara (Cast A), Avery (Cast B), Set & Lighting Design Jacynta has been acting since she was three. There's not been a year since where she hasn't performed in a play, but Battle Hymn has definitely been her favourite experience yet! Jacynta has loved discovering how to act in a promenade show as Mara and Avery, and learning how to sing. It's quite different from her usual Shakespearean roles. Jacynta is also a regular performer with Khandallah Arts Theatre and is hoping to head to The Globe in London next year with The Young Shakespeare Company. |
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Jessica Strachan
TJ (Cast A), Mara (Cast B), Stage Manager Before joining Red Scare Youth, Jessica did high school drama and was Sandy in her school's 2020 performance of Grease. Red Scare Youth gave Jessica a firm grounding in practical acting techniques and room to explore the world of theatre. Jessica is currently at university studying Chemistry and Theatre. |
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Hunter Thomson
Chris (Cast A), Rowan (Cast B), Publicist Hunter is a fairly new actor when it comes to big productions in actual theatres, having only performed in school performances before. Thankfully, over the past year Red Scare Youth has provided an opportunity for Hunter to expand and improve through Battle Hymn not only on his acting experiences, but experiences in marketing too. So that he's prepared for more performances to come. |
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ADDITIONAL CREW
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Director: James Cain
Assistant Director, Playwright: Cassandra Tse Composer: Bruno Shirley Production Design Mentor: Lucas Neal Intimacy & Fight Choreographer: James Kiesel Pack In Assistants: Michael Stebbings, Samantha Burnard, Ellie Stewart Photographers: Roc+ Photography, Memory Of Light Photography Front of House Volunteers: Abigail Helsby, Ellie Stewart, Ruby Kemp, Aimee Sullivan, Karen Anslow, Clara van Wel |
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
I can't believe we're finally here. This undertaking, the inaugural production by Red Scare Youth Theatre, seemed like it might never happen at various points this year. Navigating Delta has been enormously tricky, especially with the mighty ambitions of a show like Battle Hymn, where nearly everyone is not only double cast with two entirely seperate roles, they're also all doing a production role (ie Set Design, Music Direction), singing and working in promenade, a form that is very rarely used in Aotearoa, a fully immersive world where audience can roam and make their own narrative.
One of our cohort calculated that we've rehearsed for over 204 days on this show. That seems like an awful lot of work, but it's my belief that the process and learning that comes with it, is just as important as the show itself. I've seen these young people grow in confidence, come to own their characters and surprise themselves with their level of commitment as they've approached this meaty and challenging script.
They've also come together as a company. There's nothing quite like doing a show together and I consistently see that trust and support for one another in the rehearsal room. The social time, sharing kai on our big Saturday rehearsals, dressing the stage, learning songs and choreography, has all bound them together and there's something really sacred about being a company that can rely upon each other, onstage and off.
Finally, I'd like to thank Cassandra Tse and Bruno Shirley for allowing us to revisit their incredible script from 2014 and give it new life. Battle Hymn is about human nature, "the very best and worst of humanity" as one of our actors described it. Our ability to endure and to hold each other close, even in the darkest of circumstances, is a comfort that we continue to return to, time and time again. I'm thrilled that the students responded so strongly to the script. Growing up, I was allowed the opportunity to perform roles that any adult would find challenging. It was a great responsibility to be trusted with those parts and seeing these students rise to the challenges I've set them and absolutely surpass my expectations has been the highlight of my year.
Wander freely, make your own journey and don't let the watchers bite...
One of our cohort calculated that we've rehearsed for over 204 days on this show. That seems like an awful lot of work, but it's my belief that the process and learning that comes with it, is just as important as the show itself. I've seen these young people grow in confidence, come to own their characters and surprise themselves with their level of commitment as they've approached this meaty and challenging script.
They've also come together as a company. There's nothing quite like doing a show together and I consistently see that trust and support for one another in the rehearsal room. The social time, sharing kai on our big Saturday rehearsals, dressing the stage, learning songs and choreography, has all bound them together and there's something really sacred about being a company that can rely upon each other, onstage and off.
Finally, I'd like to thank Cassandra Tse and Bruno Shirley for allowing us to revisit their incredible script from 2014 and give it new life. Battle Hymn is about human nature, "the very best and worst of humanity" as one of our actors described it. Our ability to endure and to hold each other close, even in the darkest of circumstances, is a comfort that we continue to return to, time and time again. I'm thrilled that the students responded so strongly to the script. Growing up, I was allowed the opportunity to perform roles that any adult would find challenging. It was a great responsibility to be trusted with those parts and seeing these students rise to the challenges I've set them and absolutely surpass my expectations has been the highlight of my year.
Wander freely, make your own journey and don't let the watchers bite...
PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTE
Battle Hymn was first written and staged in 2014, when I was 21; it was part of my Honours thesis. Although that project was ambitious in its own right (never again will I build an entire set using a hammer and a bag of nails), I was never able to fully realise the open promenade structure that I had hoped to include in the show – it was more of a traditional production with two alternate endings. When James asked if I wanted to return to Battle Hymn for Red Scare Youth Theatre's inaugural project, I was excited to be able finally write the promenade script I had dreamt of, but worried that he was biting off more than he could chew – a double-cast musical promenade script, with cast also taking on crew roles? I said yes with more than a little trepidation.
What followed has been an absolute joy of an experience. This production owes a lot to James's determination and leadership, but just as much to the talent, resilience and bravery of the Red Scare Youth ensemble. I have been continually blown away by them not only as actors, but as creative collaborators, and am so excited to see them take their next steps in the industry.
What followed has been an absolute joy of an experience. This production owes a lot to James's determination and leadership, but just as much to the talent, resilience and bravery of the Red Scare Youth ensemble. I have been continually blown away by them not only as actors, but as creative collaborators, and am so excited to see them take their next steps in the industry.
NGĀ MIHI
Circa Theatre, Tama Smith, Jessie Cooper & Wellington College, Joy Hellyer, Paul Kay & Gryphon Theatre, Katie Morton, Sam Tippet, BATS Theatre, Garage Project, StorageOne, Christopher Finlayson, Brian Steele & Shoreline Partners, Wellington City Council, Richard Cain & Kerry Lamb, Russ King, Marysia Collins.
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