Theatrecraft first opened its doors in September 2005. It was started by Iain Cowden, an experienced children's singing teacher, musical director and ex-professional actor.
Theatrecraft came about due to Iain's desire to teach children using proper licensed shows; musicals written professionally and tried and tested over the years. As well as having had to use amateur and poorly written material, Iain became aware that many of the children he taught had not even been to the theatre. How could you expect a child to learn theatrical skills having never been to the theatre? Surely that would be like learning to swim without even getting wet! Finally, he became increasingly frustrated with the isolation in which the seperate skills that make up theatre were being treated, skills that Professional peformers never use in isolation. Singers act, actors dance, and dancers sing. So, why should children who aspire to be performers or who seek to learn through the performing arts be taught differently?
Iain firmly believes that the best performers and the most confident workers in any profession are nurtured in a supportive and caring environment where every member is part of a committed team, as well as being permitted to display excellence. In theatre, this concept used to be called repertory. Actors would work together as a company performing many different plays, sometimes travelling from theatre to theatre but staying together almost as a family. He believes that this concept can be applied to the tuition of performance skills for children.
With the support of his family, Iain opened the first Theatrecraft Company at Ursuline School in 2005. By Summer 2006, Theatrecraft Students had the opportunity to perform 5 different shows in two different venues, and to go on 4 theatre trips, both local and West End.
Iain believes that to become confident performers, children should have the chance to perform, that to become skilled in theatre, children should experience theatre and that all children with an interest deserve to be given the opportunity to learn about theatre and all of the many skills that make theatrical adventures happen; lighting design , costume design, sound, set design, the way in which performance spaces vary and can be used, and all of the myriad parts that make up theatre.
