Fifth Form boys preparing for their Academic Drama exam were given some very special feedback from an exceptional guest – the founder of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), Jeremy James Taylor.
With just four weeks to go until their final exam, the boys were given the unique opportunity to perform their extracts in front of Jeremy. He was then able to give the boys constructive criticism and ideas on how they could improve their pieces. As an accomplished and experienced director, with over 200 productions to his name, working with the likes of Sheridan Smith and Jude Law, the boys were hugely privileged to receive feedback from Jeremy.
He told the boys that stage presence, in particular in those crucial first 10 seconds, is so incredibly important. “Grab the moment, be confident, look up and think boldly” he advised with enthusiasm and animation.
Jeremy also told the inspiring story of a young actor and ex NYMTer Tom Chambers who, after years of rejection in the industry, finally got his break after learning to play the drums in his garden shed, and going on to perform a Fred Astaire routine; ‘Tap Dancing with Drums’ – eventually going on to perform it in the West End.
Head of Academic Drama, Mrs Antoinette Keylock, enthused, “The students found Jeremy an inspiring director to work with and he was impressed with their talent. I am sure this experience will help them to achieve highly in their final exam on 7 December.”