The youth strand of the Company of Ten
Membership
The Company of Teens is open to anyone aged 14-19, on a first come first served basis. At present the group is at full capacity and so we are operating a waiting list. If you are interested in putting your name on the list please contact us at coteens@abbeytheatre.org.uk or by post at the address below with your full contact details, and we will let you know as soon as a place becomes available.
Where and when
The Company of Teens meets on one evening a week during term time, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm, at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans.
The aim of the group is to give members an all round training in practical theatre. Sessions have included physical theatre, street dance, stage combat, lighting, stage make-up, tap dancing, vocal projection, practical stagecraft, creating character, and other aspects of creating and enjoying live drama.
Joining us
We ask that all members of the Teens join the Company of Ten at an annual (concessionary) fee of £24. The membership season runs from 1 September to 31 August. Memberships beginning after 1 May run until the end of August in the following year, giving up to sixteen months of membership on first joining late in our season.
As members of the Company of Ten, Teens receive the monthly newsletter Prompt Corner (by email or by post). Teens are entitled and encouraged to attend auditions for Company of Ten plays where there are suitable roles, to take part in workshops (subject to cost and availability), and to attend meetings such as the Annual General Meeting, or other social occasions arranged by the Company of Ten.
Personnel
The Teens group is currently run by a member of the Company of Ten who has been working with young people for nearly fifteen years. She was one of the co-founders of the group and she has also run St Albans Youth Music since 1995.
She has been a key member of the Company of Ten for many years and she is currently involved with the vital tasks of play selection and training. She is a gifted set painter, and an experienced stage manager who has worked with a number of local companies.
Company of Ten members who work with the Teens are fully CRB checked.
Finding us
See the How to Find Us page.
Contacting us
E-mail: coteens@abbeytheatre.org.uk
Telephone: 01727 847472 (mornings 10 -12 except Thursdays, Sundays and Bank
holidays)
Write to: The Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans,
AL1 2 DL
History
Over the years since the group was founded in 2000 members of Teens have participated in many Company of Ten productions and have performed several one act plays, some by established playwrights, and some written by members of the Teens themselves. The group has gone from strength to strength and many former Teens have gone on to pursue professional careers either the stage, or behind it!
Past productions
2011 – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2010 – The Immorality Play
2009 - Have I Got Myths for You
2007 - Stage Door
2006 - The Miracle (NT/Shell Connections - performed at Watford Palace Theatre)
2005 - Mugged (NT/Shell Connections)
2004 - Rainbow's Ending
2003 - Little Shop of Horrors, What's the Matter with Mary Jane?, Highlights (Welwyn Drama Festival)
2002 - Figaro's A combined production by Company of Teens and Company of Ten (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Buying a Gun (Luton Youth Drama Festival, Best Production), Test of Character (Luton Youth Drama Festival, Best Actor & Best Actress)
2001- Arabian Nights by the Company of Teens (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Living with Lady Macbeth (Luton Youth Drama Festival, The Bill Harding Memorial Cup for Best Production)
2000 - Two Weeks With the Queen, Sparkleshark (Luton Youth Drama Festival, Dramatic Achievement Award)