Who are STAC?

by Site Admin on Friday, May 18, 2007
14 comments on this post

Established in 1965 when the Swan Theatre first opened its doors, the resident Swan Theatre company has performed in Worcester for over 40 years. During that time we have presented over 200 plays on the Swan’s main stage and in the Sara Knight studio adjacent to the theatre. In addition, the Children’s Theatre wing has staged plays for younger theatergoers for almost as long.

Several premieres have been staged by the company including a play based on a book by Dirk Bogarde, A Postilion Struck By Lightning, as well as Brian J Burton’s musical version of The Drunkard (or Down with the Demon Drink), which went on to play for eighteen months in an Off-Broadway theatre and is still performed all over the world.

The Swan Theatre Company changed it’s name to the Swan Theatre Amateur Company (STAC) in 2004. We continue to produce and perform about five productions a year on the main stage in the theatre and at least three plays in the studio, which has something of a cult following. Our popular Children’s Theatre also occupies the main stage, one Saturday a month from October to May, for two morning performances.

Swan Theatre
The Moors, Worcester
WR1 3EF
Home of STAC

14 comments to “Who are STAC?”

Dilip Sarkar, June 4th, 2007 at 7:57 am:

• Hi

  My nearly 12-year old daughter, Hannah, is very interested in pursuing her great interest in drama, so I am researching what local youth drama groups exist. Is she old enough to become involved with your activities, I wonder?

  Many thanks

  Dilip Sarkar

Site Admin, June 4th, 2007 at 9:25 am:

• Hi Dilip

  There are a number of local theatrical groups with roles for children.

  STAC runs Children’s Theatre from October to May, once a month on a Saturday. This is theatre for quite young children (a bit like mini-pantomimes) and there are sometimes parts for children in these plays. (Children’s Theatre rehearses for just three or four weeks prior to each Saturday show, so it’s a good way for younger actors to get involved because the commitment is not too high.) This website will keep you posted on auditions etc — so keep dropping back, or better still subscribe to our RSS feed!

  STAC do not have a specific youth wing, however, so when it comes to our regular main stage plays, unless a play calls for a young character there isn’t normally an appropriate role.

  If your daughter is interested in musical theatre, WODYS is the Worcester Operatic and Drama Youth Society (that’s “operatic” in the broad sense, including west-end type musicals etc). (They are an off-shoot of WODS). http://www.wodys.com/

  There is also the Midland Musical Theatre Group (MMTG) http://www.mmtg.biz/

  And also in the local area there is Perdiswell Drama Club, Kays Theatre Group (who do the Christmas pantomimes at the Swan) and if you’re really keen there is the Harlequin Stage School and the Star Stage School (both for dance).

  Potentially a good place to view and perhaps meet some of the people involved is the Steve Mayor Tribute Show this coming Sunday, which features performances from a range of children’s groups. http://www.huntingdonhall.com/swan/events_review.asp?eid=453055542
  But be quick, I imagine it will sell rather well.

sandra, June 25th, 2007 at 10:49 am:

• Hi. I agree with all the above. WODYS is very good. They audition children every year in about September time. However, it is very popular and you need to get your daughter’s name on a waiting list so my advice would be to contact them asap http://www.wodys.com. You can audition from the age of 8 to 18. Also as mentioned above is the Perdiswell Drama Club which meet on a Thursday at Perdiswell Young People’s club tel no. 01905 451372. It is run by a very nice lady called Julie Mayor. If you ring that number they will put you in touch with her. Also as well as the two dance school’s mentioned above there is another dance school in Worcester that I would recommend called Academy Dance tel no. 01905 616675. It is a much smaller school than the other’s and is very friendly. It is also a very successful school. They enter dance competitions, produce shows are involved in pantomimes. I hope this information will be of some help to you.

Chris Isaac, July 3rd, 2007 at 3:17 pm:

• I would ask all theatre-goers,membership and those who are curious about the S.T.A.C.and what it does to write here.
  What you would like to see performed.
  What you want from theatre in the 21st century.
  Do you think you would like to take part,acting,lighting,props making,scenery,stage-management etc,etc.
  Do you think that theatre is too stuck up?
  Is it relevant to your every day life.
  Do you just want to be entertained or are you up for something more demanding?
  Please tell us(S.T.A.C)
  We are you local theatre company and we are here for you,the community.

Rachel Le Sauvage, July 12th, 2007 at 1:58 pm:

• Worceter Live also offer a youth theatre for children, this is run throughout the week, on different days dependant on the childs age. In order to find out more information on this contact worcesterlive on 01905 758812

N King, June 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 am:

• Hi,

  I am a 22 year old student, I have just moved to Worcester. I am interested in taking up acting as a hobby. Would your company be suitable for me, and if so, how would I join?

  Many thanks,

  Naomi

Bethany Griffin, June 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pm:

• Heya,

  I’m really into drama and acting and I would like to joina drama club in worcester – so its near where i live, i’m 13 years old and was wondering if you do classes on a weekend or after school clubs sort of thing, but i can’t sing or dance!, Please could you provide me with some information or contacts on where/when i could go?. Many thanks, beth Griffin

Beverley spence, July 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am:

• Do you provide drama tuition ? My daughter is 4 and a half starting school in September 08. Additonally could you add me to the mailing list for information regarding Saturday performances.

  Many thanks

Site Admin, August 14th, 2008 at 5:32 pm:

• Thank you for all you queries

  We don’t provide drama tuition as such, but Worcester Live do run various workshops including children’s workshops. They can be contacted on 01905 611427 or found at http://www.worcesterlive.co.uk

  Please see our new “Join us” and “Mailing list” pages which we’ve put up specifically to give more information on membership, auditions etc, in response to your queries.

Mary, October 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm:

• Hello there,

  I’m a 32 year old local mum who’s tentatively seeking out a hobby in acting. I have no experience (apart from High School plays!) but I do have a whole lot of enthusiasm. Although I have read through the “Join Us” and “Mailing List” pages of your website I’m still not too clear about whether I can come along for auditions or join without any prior experience or history with any other am-dram group.

  Sorry to be a pain if the answer is indeed staring me in the face on here!

  Thanks

  Mary x

Joe Warriner, November 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm:

• Hi There

  My name is Joe Warriner, 26, I live and work in Malvern with my son and t’other half: and I am bloody GAGGING to get back on stage!!!
  I studied performing arts at Salford University but haven’t done any ‘Official’ acting in far too long. I have done a fair bit on my own in the way of making short films in my spare time, but that is as far as I’ve gone up to now.
  I have a burning desire to get involved with the theatre in any way possible but what I really ‘need’ is to get my teeth into an acting role. I need to work on my discipline as an actor which, i’m sad to say, has fizzled out some what since leaving Uni! However, I am keen to re-light my fire and get back on the case!!
  I really look forward to hearing from you and hope it would be ok to meet with someone face to face, or even come along to a rehearsal just to get an idea of the kind of things you guys get up to!!

  I eagerly awaited your reply

  many thanks

  Joe

Jamie Buckland, January 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 am:

• Hello all.

  Just trying to trace some old faces. I played the part of Dirk when the company put on “A Postilion Struck By Lightning” many years ago. Just wondering if anyone else made contact…

  jamie.

Sharon Griffin, July 21st, 2010 at 10:55 pm:

• Hi
  I have a 17 year old son who has just had his first taster of helping back stage at a school theatre and he throughly enjoyed it, I really think it helped boost his confidence of which he does lack. Just wondering if there are any part time jobs or any volunteer help need at your theatre or do you know of any help needed in any other theatre.
  Thanks for your time
  Sharon Griffin

sally, July 24th, 2010 at 11:19 am:

• I’ve emailed you a membership form for him and yes his help would be most appreciated.

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