NEW FOCUS THEATRE
SOUTHEND ON SEA
17TH JUNE 2011
Dear Parents, Friends and Former Students
It is with great sadness that I write to you announcing that after the morning of Saturday 2nd July 2011, the NEW FOCUS THEATRE will no longer be operating.
This decision has not been taken lightly but due to recent exorbitant financial demands from the management team that runs the youth service in the town, it has become impossible for us to continue the work that we do with all our wonderful students.
I would like to add that these events only came to light at the end of the spring term and we have spent the past two months, without success, searching for either local or national funding that would ensure the continuation of these sessions.
We live in a very tricky economic climate these days and despite the uniqueness of the youth theatre, our efforts have proved to be fruitless. I am sure that you appreciate that there has been a great deal of soul-searching on our part.
We have also had to cancel our plans for the Play in a Weekend. For those of you who do not fully understand this exciting but intensive aspect of our work, we commission a play to be written so that each and every youngster is cast accordingly. However, due to dwindling numbers and the fact that many of our students now have other commitments that weekend, we feel that our plans are not viable and the production would put too much pressure on the remaining students.
So, we have decided to invite all our students on SATURDAY 2ND JULY 10.00am-1.30pm to the theatre for a final celebration, games and end-of-an-era party. We are planning to invite former students to come along and join us.
The arrangements for the final weekend are as follows:
FRIDAY 1st July 2011 6.30pm-9.30pm
All Friday & Saturday students - presentation of devised piece
SATURDAY 2nd July 2011 10.00am-1.30pm
All Tuesday, Friday & Saturday students – former students are invited as well
On a personal note, I was the very first drama tutor when the building was erected all those years ago and now, I am saying my farewell. The journey of the NEW FOCUS THEATRE originated as Saturday Morning Drama School that used to meet above Halfords in Southend on Sea. We then went to both Focus and the Technical College before making the Focus building our regular home.
I am attaching a list of some of the productions that have become a part of our heritage over the past forty years, and this is something of which we are exceptionally proud.
We wish to thank you all for the wonderful support you have given the youth theatre over the years, and we wish each and every student the very best in their future drama studies.
With my kindest regards,
Louise Manders
Artistic Director
NEW FOCUS THEATRE
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