About
WODYS
FORMED IN 1982, WODYS HAVE ARGUABLY BECOME ONE OF THE LEADING AMATEUR MUSICAL THEATRE YOUTH GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY.
Our membership averages 70 youngsters aged between 8 and 18 years. We have a waiting list to join the group. People on the waiting list are invited to join our academy (WODAC) and then take an audition to become a full WODYS member.
Our first show, You Can’t Stop The Panto, was staged at our rehearsal room in 1983. Nowadays, with a much larger show budget the group uses more elaborate sets and costumes, such as that of Les Misérables (School Edition) with its barricade and revolving stage. WODYS marked their tenth anniversary production, HMS Pinafore, by staging it at the Swan Theatre, Worcester. Since, then we have been performing at the theatre and in many cases, to capacity audiences.
WODYS’ production of Half a Sixpence in 2011 was heralded as best youth musical in District 10 of the West Midlands region of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and was praised by the NODA president at the time for: “Outstanding performance in a youth society production”. Its Oklahoma! programme, in 2007, also received an award from NODA. Since that time our productions have won "Best Youth Production" awards from NODA year on year.
Each year WODYS form a “cabaret group” to provide entertainment for the elderly and infirm by visiting nursing homes and sheltered housing. This is done on a charitable basis.
We have links to professional theatre through the celebrities who have backed WODYS productions. Many WODYS members have gone on to professional theatre work.
WODAC
In 2007, WODYS formed its own training academy known as “WODAC”, intended for those youngsters who are on the WODYS Waiting List. As WODYS only audition for new members each Autumn, we were keen to provide opportunities for those youngsters who have not yet secured a place, and those who have joined the waiting list after the cut-off in mid-August to enter the annual auditions. WODAC provides a mixture of workshop and performance based trained, usually running between January and July each year. Workshops take place on a number of Thursday early evenings between 6pm and 7.30pm, and the schedule of dates is usually published early in the New Year to those on the Waiting List. The workshops offer a mixture of dance, movement, singing, drama, improvisation, general stage craft and confidence building activities. Some workshops also offer the opportunity for the youngsters to perform set pieces at the end of the workshop to whomever is collecting them. Workshops cost £1 per session and cater for a maximum of 35 youngsters each session.
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