What is BYU Young Company?

by Jessa Cunningham, dramaturg

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One of the coolest things about this production of Macbeth is that after the show closes at BYU, it will play other places for a while. That's right, the cast of this show will go on tour, and visit many different elementary schools in the area over the course of a couple months! That way, more children are reached and get to see these famous Shakespeare characters come to life! That's all thanks to the BYU Young Company.
What is Young Company? It's a training ground for both actors and training artists that want to work in theatre for young audiences. They facilitate interaction with children of all ages, and get them involved and excited about theatre with the shows they perform. Each year, the Young Company performs for more than 16,000 young people! They oftentimes do workshops and activities in the schools they visit, which help to nurture a strong relationship with the audiences they meet.
This year, they have decided to bring Shakespeare's Macbeth to life, and it couldn't be cooler. The actors, designers, and director are all working incredibly hard so this show touches all who see it. They are making something truly special for the children-- you won't want to miss it! It will be a treat for everyone involved.
During the run of the show, you'll come to get to know the members of the cast and others involved with the show, so keep in touch!

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by Janine Sobeck, dramaturg Tech week is one of the most exciting moments in any show. It's the time when we get to leave our rehearsal room, move onto stage, and add all of the production elements. To help the actors adapt to all the changes we usually make a gradual transition. Pre-tech: While still in the rehearsal room, actors are given certain rehearsal props and costumes to help them in the creation of their characters. In the case of Princess Academy, all the girls were given rehearsal skirts and all the characters were given rehearsal books and and other items (such as the miri flower). We also added all of the instruments used in the show. Tech day 1: The first day of tech included adding the set and sound. One of the biggest changes for our actors is the ramps on our stage. They finally had the opportunity to climb the mountain! Tech day 2: It's time to add the props! In order to support Director Megan Sanborn Jones' vision of the show, prop designer Scott Jackson made all of the props out of paper, letters, and books. Tech days 3-4: This is what we call an "All Tech." The final elements of the show (lights, costumes, and make-up) are added into the mix. Day 3 is spent working through all the cues in act 1 and day 4 is spent working through act 2. Tech days 5-7: The time has come to run the show! These are our dress rehearsals, where the goal is to do the show exactly as if it was a real performance. This means starting at our normal curtain time and trying to never stop. The director, playwright, dramaturgs, and designers sit in the audience making notes about what is working and what still needs to change. At the end of the nights, the actors and designers are given feedback and we rehearse any moments that need some extra attention. Tech day 8: Which is today! Tonight is the time when we finally get to add the final element of the show: the audience! Our final day of tech is known as the "preview performance." Friends, families, and students are invited to see the show before we officially open. While we always reserve the right to stop the show if necessary (it is, after all, still a rehearsal), we hope that everything will go smoothly!

What is BYU Young Company?

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