A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE YOUTH IN PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM.

Prepared by Alf Taylor in 1999

In 1991, Graham Morris of Gosford West Rotary Club, suggested that the Club could sponsor a program whereby youth, on the Central Coast, with talent in the performing arts could showcase this talent in a series of concerts. The club adopted this as a part of its youth program. Don Craig, as Manager of the Laycock Street Bicentennial Community Theatre, was asked whether the Theatre could support the project by becoming a joint sponsor. Don saw this as a very practical way for the theatre to encourage the youth of our district while at the same time providing the general public with first-class entertainment. Don approached Alf Taylor, a retired school Principal and one who had had considerable experience as a stage performer, to find out if he would be interested in organising and conducting the program. Alf agreed to undertake this job and a committee was formed to launch the project. The first series of concerts was held following the Queen’s Birthday Holiday weekend in June 1992. This week has been used each year since.

General Aims of the Project

  • To provide an opportunity for youth to perform and participate in a quality program featuring all aspects of the performing arts.
  • To promote and foster the development of youth with talent and interests in the Performing Arts.
  • To develop a feeling of ‘community’ for youth of the Central Coast.
  • To provide financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, for youth with talent and interests in the Performing Arts.

Rotary’s Role

  • Provide manpower if and when needed. ( auditioning, stage, transport)
  • Solicit sponsorship from local businesses.
  • Set up and administer a Trust Fund for any profits from ticket sales; this money to be available for scholarships for young people pursuing their performing arts interests. A Rotary Committee would allocate these scholarships.

Theatre’s Role

  • Provide the venue for rehearsals and performances. This included the necessary technical staff.
  • Allow access and use of office supplies & equipment to Alf Taylor
  • Assist with the staging of the concerts through preparation of the stage, curtaining, etc.

Alf Taylor’s Role

  • Undertake all organisation necessary to ensure the production of 5 concerts, incorporating a variety of acts, selected by audition, with an emphasis on excellence and entertainment. This organisation involved contacting schools and other groups, processing Application Forms, advertising, arranging auditions and rehearsals, directing and MC-ing concerts.

Procedure

All Central Coast High Schools are used as a distribution point for information and Nomination Forms. In addition press advertisements encourage young people, not at school, to nominate. Forms and information are also available at Laycock Theatre. Audition panels are formed of several people with special interest and/or experience in the performing arts and auditions are conducted in High Schools, community venues and in Laycock Theatre. Suitable acts are chosen, concert programs drawn up and rehearsals organised. After the concerts, Letters of Participation are provided by Rotary to those participants who request them.

Points Emphasised

  • This is not a ‘School Festival’.
  • Items should not exceed approximately 4 minutes.
  • This is NOT a talent quest. There will be no suggestion of competition or comparison of items or schools.
  • Interference to a school’s routine would be minimal.
  • Performers would be limited to high school age and under 21.

Current Day (2018)

Gosford West Rotary Club managed YIPA for the first 12 years before handing over to a committee to run the concert series. The committee continues to run YIPA to this day.

Youth In Performing Arts is now in its 27th year and going stronger than ever. 2018 saw an all-time high in the number of performance items auditioned for YIPA. The YIPA team visited more high schools, music studios and dance studios than ever before.

There are currently 4 YIPA concerts each year which as usually held towards the end of May.

Throughout the 27 years of YIPA, two local Rotary clubs, firstly West Gosford and then Gosford North, have continued to be a major stakeholder in YIPA. The YIPA Committee would like to express their appreciation of Rotary’s continued involvement.

Youth In Performing Arts enjoys a fantastic working partnership with the Central Coast Council and Laycock Street Community Theatre. Without this partnership, YIPA may not be possible.

Scholarships and Encouragement Awards are a big part of YIPA. In 2018, YIPA presented $15,000 in awards thanks to the generosity of local businesses, community groups and families. YIPA will continue to source these awards so as to assist young performers as they reach to improve and perfect their individual skills in the performing arts.

2023

In 2022, whilst under Council administration, a review was carried out by Central Coast Council. This review involved the operations of the various Council owned Theatres and Galleries. Laycock Street Community Theatre being one of those places under review.

With the review of Laycock Street Community Theatre, Gosford Musical Society and Youth In Performing Arts were scrutinised and changes made to the way that both organisations were permitted to use the theatre facilities.

It was established that YIPA was a sound and financial working program but Council could no longer support it was it had previously done.

For Youth In Performing Arts this meant that any future YIPA concerts would have to be as a result of YIPA hiring the theatre as a “Community” user.

Council did provide YIPA with the proceeds of the 2022 Concert Series so as to ensure there were funds available to commence operations in 2023. In 2023 YIPA applied for and was successful in obtaining a Central Coast Council Community Support Grant which was used to pay for some of the venue hire.