What is Raw Talent?
"Lets start at the very beginning, that’s a very good place to start” Well that’s what Julie Andrews reckons, not that you’ll ever hear any one from Raw Talent singing ditties from the Sound of Music - because Raw Talent is an independent youth theatre that performs original exciting work, work devised by the cast and then scripted by professional writers.
When did it start?
Raw Talent was formed in 1996 for a summer school, the production had a cast of 11 and lasted the grand total of twenty minutes but as they say, from little acorns…etc etc etc. The company now has over 100 young members with at least a hundred more on the waiting list.
Raw Talent has two homes, Kingsbury School, Erdington and Hillcrest School and Community College, Dudley.
Abraham Malim of Raw Talent says of the group "we are a hard working, dedicated crew and have real Raw Talent"
How old are members?
Raw Talent has two age groups. Its is open to young people aged 7 - 11 and 11 - 16.
How do you become a member?
Raw Talent has an open access policy, we don’t hold auditions to become a member and we make sure that everyone has an important role in the productions. Because the members devise the shows, they dictate how big or small a role they want to give themselves.
What kind of work do Raw Talent do?
Raw Talent performs at festivals and venues across the country performing everything from knockabout family comedy to experimental theatre to peer lead educational dramas for conferences and seminars. Raw Talent have also produced two films." Hear Me Now", a film for UCAN (part of the Childrens Society) about young peoples rights and advocacy and "The Other Side of Life" a film created and written by young people in foster care in Walsall and performed by members of Raw Talent
Any last words?
Raw Talent produces lots of new work with lots of young people and with shed loads of enthusiasm.