Student Performance Opportunities

Performing is a big part of STAMP

Performance is at the heart of what we do.

STAMP isn't just about learning singing, dancing and acting in a weekly class. Members are given opportunities to take the skills they develop in rehearsals and use them on stage.

Throughout the year, our groups work towards productions and other performance opportunities where members can experience being part of a live show.

For many members, this is one of the most exciting parts of being at STAMP: seeing something they first learned in a rehearsal room eventually become part of a fully staged production in front of an audience.

From weekly sessions to the stage

Weekly sessions and productions are closely connected.

At different points during the year, members might be developing singing, dancing, acting and general performance skills.

As a production approaches, sessions naturally become more focused on the show.

Members may begin learning:

• songs and vocal material;
• choreography;
• scenes and dialogue;
• characters;
• entrances and exits;
• musical numbers;
• ensemble material;
• staging.

Over time, those individual pieces are brought together into the complete production.

That means members can experience the whole journey from early rehearsals through to performing the finished show.

Do all STAMP members get opportunities to perform?

Regular members are given opportunities to take part in STAMP productions and performances.

The exact opportunities vary depending on the member's group and the production we're working on.

Being a STAMP member does not guarantee a particular character, principal role, solo, number of performances or amount of stage time.

What we can provide is the opportunity to become part of the wider company and experience preparing and performing live theatre.

Principal roles and auditions

For most Blue and Green productions, we hold auditions for individual roles.

We see auditions as part of the learning experience rather than simply a way of allocating characters.

Members are encouraged to research the show, think about the character or role they would like, prepare the required material and put themselves forward.

This gives young performers experience of:

• preparing for an audition;
• learning audition material;
• researching a character;
• performing individually;
• taking direction;
• dealing with nerves;
• putting themselves forward for something they want;
• understanding that casting decisions are part of theatre.

Specific roles are never guaranteed.

Not receiving the role someone wanted doesn't mean they aren't an important part of the production.

Performance opportunities in Minis

Performance for Minis is approached differently and in an age-appropriate way.

Younger members still have opportunities to experience performing and being part of STAMP productions.

Casting is more relaxed than the audition process used for many Blue and Green productions.

Where appropriate, we encourage Minis members to try small speaking or singing parts and begin experiencing individual moments within a wider group performance.

For one child, standing on stage and joining a company number may be a huge achievement.

Another may be ready to try a line or small character part.

The aim is to introduce performance positively while helping younger members gradually become more comfortable on stage.

Performance opportunities in Blue Group

Blue Group members aged 7–12 work towards productions and performance opportunities as part of their STAMP experience.

During production periods, weekly sessions can increasingly focus on the songs, scenes, choreography and ensemble material needed for the show.

For most Blue productions, members also have the opportunity to audition for individual roles.

Whether performing a principal character, a smaller speaking role or as part of the ensemble, members contribute to bringing the complete production together.

Visit the Blue Group class page for current class information.

Performance opportunities in Green Group

Green Group is for young people aged 13+ and has a strong focus on performance and productions.

Members work across singing, acting, dance and ensemble performance and can take part in the process of preparing material for the stage.

For most Green productions, members have opportunities to audition for individual roles.

Older members can experience the commitment involved in developing a character, learning material, rehearsing consistently and becoming part of a complete production.

Visit the Green Group class page for current class information.

The ensemble matters

A musical theatre production isn't made up only of principal characters.

Ensemble performers are a vital part of a show.

They may sing harmonies, perform choreography, create characters, appear in scenes and help create the world in which the story takes place.

Being part of an ensemble also requires members to work together.

A performer needs to know their own material while also understanding where they fit alongside everybody else.

For young performers, learning that a production depends on the whole company rather than only the biggest roles is an important part of the STAMP experience.

What happens if my child doesn't get the role they wanted?

Auditions inevitably mean that not everybody can receive the role they hoped for.

We understand that can be disappointing.

It's also part of the experience of taking part in theatre.

We encourage members to prepare properly, put themselves forward and be proud of auditioning regardless of the eventual casting decision.

Once casting is complete, the focus moves towards creating the strongest production we can as a company.

There are still opportunities to develop skills, perform and contribute to the show without having a principal role.

For some members, simply finding the confidence to audition can itself be an important achievement.

Fully staged productions

STAMP stages productions for paying public audiences.

Members therefore get to experience much more than performing something within their normal weekly class.

As a production develops, their work becomes part of a wider theatrical process.

Depending on the show, this can bring together:

• performers;
• directors;
• choreographers;
• musical and vocal work;
• costume and wardrobe;
• scenery and set;
• lighting;
• sound and technical production;
• backstage teams;
• licensed child chaperones.

STAMP also brings in professionals from areas of theatre and live production, including technical production, lighting, costume and scenery.

For members, this means seeing how the songs, dances and scenes they've rehearsed fit into the much bigger process of creating a live production.

Rehearsals and commitment

Productions require commitment from the whole company.

As a show approaches, there may be additional rehearsals or arrangements beyond a member's usual weekly session.

Members may also need to attend rehearsals where their particular scene or musical number is being developed.

Production arrangements can vary from show to show.

Families should therefore read the information issued for each production carefully, particularly details covering:

• rehearsal dates;
• additional rehearsals;
• performance dates and times;
• attendance expectations;
• costumes;
• what members need to bring;
• production fees or costs where applicable;
• venue arrangements.

Important information for members and parents is communicated through Spond, which STAMP uses as our main communication platform.

During production periods, Spond is particularly important for keeping families updated about rehearsals, costumes, performances and other arrangements.

Performing in front of an audience

Eventually rehearsals become performances.

Members have the opportunity to take material they've spent weeks or months developing and perform it in front of an audience.

For some members, walking onto the stage feels completely natural.

For others, performing publicly may be something they've gradually built the confidence to do.

Both experiences are valid.

We encourage members to challenge themselves and take opportunities where possible while recognising that confidence develops differently for different people.

Read more about Building Confidence Through Performing Arts.

What if my child is nervous about performing?

They don't need to arrive at STAMP already confident on stage.

A new or nervous member has time to learn material with their group before reaching the performance itself.

By the time they reach the stage, the song, scene or choreography should be something they've already spent time rehearsing with the people around them.

For some children, being part of the ensemble can be a comfortable first experience of performing.

As their confidence grows, they may later decide to volunteer for a line, try a smaller role or audition for something bigger.

Read our Classes for Shy Children guide if your child is particularly nervous about performing.

Do members have to become professional performers?

No.

Our aim isn't to turn every STAMP member into a professional performer.

Some former members have gone on to further training and careers within performing arts and related industries.

Others take the confidence, friendships, experiences and skills they've developed at STAMP into completely different areas of their lives.

The opportunity to experience rehearsing and performing live theatre can still be valuable whether or not somebody wants a future career on stage.

Twenty years of performances

STAMP has been creating performance opportunities for children and young people in South Tyneside since 2006.

Over more than 20 years, more than 1,000 young people have come through our doors.

Productions and performances form an important part of that history, and previous shows remain part of STAMP's story rather than disappearing once the final curtain comes down.

You can explore previous productions and other moments from our history in the STAMP Archive and read more about the organisation in STAMP History.

Current productions and opportunities

Current and upcoming public productions are available through our Box Office.

Where STAMP is currently accepting applications or auditions for a particular production, information will be published through the appropriate Auditions page.

Existing members should follow the information provided by their teaching team and through Spond for opportunities relating to their group.

Historic audition notices and cast announcements may remain online as part of the STAMP archive, but they should not be treated as current application routes.

Want your child to experience performing with STAMP?

Performance opportunities begin with becoming part of one of our regular groups:

• Minis: ages 3–6
• Blue Group: ages 7–12
• Green Group: ages 13+

Beginners are welcome and children don't need to audition to join our regular weekly groups.

Visit our Classes page to find the appropriate group, or read How to Join STAMP to find out how to get started.