About
Barnstorm is a unique youth theatre. It mainly runs during the summer holidays and aims to produce two original musicals each year.
We run two projects - at each one 32 young people camp for eight days in the Forest of Dean and become completely immersed in creating the show and they have just seven days to do it. This means long hours and a team of talented and dedicated artists.
Barnstorm is entirely non profit making and aims to keep the costs to participants as low as possible. All the shows are free to watch.
This year we were lucky to receive funding from the BBC Performing Arts Fund. This enabled us to run a series of devising workshops with young people. This early input into the material from the young people really helped shaped the final shows.
The first show was called One Month In Cuba and told the story of a family from Spain who arrive in Cuba in 1958 to take over a sugar plantation. Their lives quickly become entangled in the Revolution.
The second show ‘Marry Maria’ was set in Malta in the 1570s. In the City of Valletta there are riots and looting and all because The Knights Of Saint John are on holiday. The Governor is determined to regain control, but he is hiding a terrible secret of his own.
We do not hold auditions anyone aged 12 -18 who is prepared to work incredible hard is welcome. We do not have a mailing list. To apply you need to visit this website and download the letter and application form. This will be available from January 1st 2012.
This year you will be invited to apply to Barnstorm 2012. You can indicate a preferred week, but the final decision will be down to the directing team. You will be told which week you have been allocated by February 1st.
Our Team
Alice
What is your role at Barnstorm?
I am the Set Designer
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I love this job. Working with such a talented committed team of professionals, and meeting inspirational young people is the best way I can think to spend the summer. I smile and laugh as much in 1 week of Barnstorm as I do in a whole month of normal life!
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
I work as an event designer, set designer, artist, teacher and PA in London. I relish an unusual project. I am happiest up a ladder with cable ties in hand. I have designed decorations for large Balls, Pop Up Restaurants, have made sets for numerous Youth Theatres, have my own sculpture's exhibited in galleries, teach A level Art and Design and run the odd workshop.
Amy
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Although my official title is Assistant Director at Barnstorm, I can also be found under the titles: harmony patroller, game leader and hot chocolate stirrer.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I was once a Barnstormer and the magic, friends and memories have never left me. After going out into the big wide world working with theatre companies and earning my secondary drama pgce, i came back to Barnstorm and joined the team who continue to make it all happen. I come back every year to help new generations of Barnstormers have the same amazing experiences I had.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
In the real world I teach drama to teenagers part-time and help University students with their problems the other part of the time. I also love speaking to strange dogs, wearing hotpants and singing, singing, singing!
Chez
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Choreography and early morning yoga!
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
This is such a special and magical week of the year, sharing such an intense and creative process from improvisation through to performance, from warming up to full on dance routines, from hearing a song idea in the camping field to four part harmonies filling the skies. Being outdoors and animating May Hill with a talented and inspiring group of young people and team… how couldn't you want to come back?!
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
I am a freelance Theatre maker, puppeteer, and performer touring with professional companies and playing through the UK and Europe. I also dangle around in circus arts, using aerial equipment to help me be upside down more. I am a practising clown, playing and improvising with The Original Spinners in Bristol. I love learning and exploring and playing and music and singing and dancing and smiling and stories.
Hannah
What is your role at Barnstorm?
I have been working in the costume department at Barnstorm for the last 4 years, mainly in charge of buttons and hooks and eyes. Occasionally I'm allowed on a sewing machine.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I come back to spend a magic week with wonderful people. Simple.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
When not at Barnstorm I divide my time between Come Dine with Me and looking after a year 2 class in Camden, London.
Ian
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Set construction
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
The pleasure of working with a team of great people and be part of making something wonderful that will remain in the memory of everyone involved.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
Carpentry / restoration. Design and make things. Drawing.
Jez
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Musical Director
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
Making musical theatre with great people in a special place.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
Run two youth theatres and work as a composer, director and workshop leader.
Jo B
What is your role at Barnstorm?
At Barnstorm I write script, direct, and try and keep an eye on the well being of all participants.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
Because it is a glorious setting on a quiet hill in mid-Summer
Because it is the most creative full-on joyful thing, condensed into a week, that I do all year
Because I love the other members of the creative team - exuburant hard working funny intelligent people who don't generate trouble - just powerful THEATRE MAKING and humaness
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
When not at Barnstorm I run a youth theatre in Stroud, I run toddler dance classes, I run free-lance arts projects, I knit, I ride my electric bike, I write stuff, I make theatre in a variety of settings, I play poker, and sit on various arts boards. I run a creative writing group. I like listening to live jazz.
Karen
What is your role at Barnstorm?
I am a technical assistant at Barnstorm, helping mostly with set building and lighting though I sew the occasional button and peel the odd potato. I'll generally be found behind the lighting desk during the performances.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I come back to Barnstorm each year because it's an incredibly fun and joyful experience, the participants are fab and the songs and shows are excellent.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
When I'm not at Barnstorm I work as a copywriter, mostly for web but the occasional bit of print too.
Miles
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Website administrator
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I had such a magical time being a Barnstormer, something which I never want to let go. So I'm still clinging on to a part of it, even if it's only from behind a computer screen.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
I work as a web developer/designer. Even when I'm not at work, I'm working on personal websites/apps. I spend some of this free time working on the Barnstorm website, which I love. Putting together new features or sorting out pics and videos of past performances.
Richie
What is your role at Barnstorm?
I am an Assistant Director by title, but as any of the Team will know, Barnstorm is all about chipping in and doing bits of everything! My role ranges from running games with the Young People, writing bits of script, serving dinner, testing out harmonies, setting up the bonfire and BBQ, odd bits of set painting and of course directing parts of the play.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
I was a Barnstormer from the age of 14-18 and so I’ve experienced the magic of Barnstorm first-hand and what a positive difference it can make to a Young person’s life. When I was 18 and no longer allowed to take part it was heart-breaking and so when I was asked to become a member of the team (three years later after I had graduated from my Theatre degree) I jumped at the chance! It is the most important thing I take part in every year and I love working with such talented, kind and thoughtful Teenagers. I feel very privileged to be part of such a unique and special project.
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
When I’m not at Barnstorm I work predominantly as a Programme Services co-ordinator at the BBC in Bristol. I am involved with the junior development team working on new programme ideas and I also take part in projects with the BBC Outreach scheme. I have recently been working as a runner/ assistant floor manager on Autumnwatch. Outside of my 9-5 job I like to be involved with Theatre as much as possible and work with a few companies in between Barnstorm each year. I also sing in a folk choir!
Rosie
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Choreographer
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
Because I love it! I love being outside for a week, I love working with such talented young people, playing games, giggling, singing, eating cake, not checking my phone, dressing up, working with my mates, chatting 'til too late, singing my heart out round the camp fire, crying during the sad beautiful harmony song, feeling really proud in the audience when you all dance brilliantly, hanging out with Tilda, Oscar and May, eating more cake...
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
I'm an actor and theatre practitioner. Sometimes I'm in shows, sometimes I direct them, sometimes I write them, sometimes I choreograph them. I work for Flies on the Wall youth theatre and Dramarama in Stroud every week and run workshops in schools. Occasionally I have other acting related adventures, like pretending to be a depressed army wife for soldiers training to be counsellors, or running leadership training courses, where I get grown ups to play drama games. I have also been known to run physical theatre courses and teach dance classes. I'm training to be a Zumba instructor. I'm also running a singing group next term, which I'm quite scarred about. I am a Mum to a small red head.
Sue
What is your role at Barnstorm?
Head Cook
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
Answers coming soon
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
Answers coming soon
Tessa
What is your role at Barnstorm?
I am the producer as well as the co-writer and director. My special skill is surrounding myself with very talented people.
Why do you come back to Barnstorm each year?
In theory I never leave - Barnstorm is based at my house. I have been to Barnstorm every year for the last 29 years, first as a young actor and then as member of the team. (It started off as Taynton Opera Camp and was based at Taynton House 2 miles away.) There is nothing better than spending a week with a group of people who are all equally committed to producing excellent theatre, apart from maybe spending two weeks doing it!
What do you do when you're not at Barnstorm?
I write, direct, design and costume shows for other groups, which I adore. I raise my two children, whom I adore and I plan the next Barnstorm!
There are lots of other helpers (not mentioned here) who make barnstorm possible each year.
