For 20 years The Telegraph Hill community (New Cross Gate, London) puts on a festival in March. The opening event is a musical directed and produced by local people with a cast of 200 aged 6 - 70! 
Each year group gets one or two musical numbers with the adult cast (50+) leading the production. The directorial team meets in December to choose the musical and puts together a spectacular show with just 10 weeks of rehersals. Performed in the local church in the round with local musicians accompanying the cast it is a exceptional experience of intergenerational theatre making 

I have been participating as a performer since I was a young child and last year whilst in my final year of my degree I directed the Years 3 & 4 in our production of Oh What a Lovely War. Working part time as a graduate I had more time this year and followed the production process from start to finish. This year's production had some hiccups at the start as we struggled to get rights to our first chouce: Cabaret. So 2 weeks into the rehersal process we were able to secure rights to Annie Get Your Gun and proceeded to make what has been described as the best show yet!

This year the directorial and production team was made up solely of women, and it has been inspirational experience to be part of that team. The rehersal process is intensive, rehersing back to back (1hour per year group) all day Saturday and Sunday with Adult Cast rehersals on Tuesday evenings. Navigating production meetings to work around each the directors individual day-to-day schedules whilst also fitting in rehersals for the Lead Cast whereever possible. 

I have learnt so many directorial skills working with children in such large groups (30+),  directing with groups of 30+ children of all ages to act and sing in such a short space of time. I am confident in leading warm-up excercises, breaking down choreography, injecting energy and courage into timid performers to attain a successful performance whilst also making the process fun.

I have learnt so many directorial skills working with children in such large groups (30+),  directing with groups of 30+ children of all ages to act and sing in such a short space of time. I am confident in leading warm-up excercises, breaking down choreography, injecting energy and courage into timid performers to attain a successful performance whilst also making the process fun.

It is not about dictating a vision of one director but assembling the strengths and