Tyler Mortimer - Artistic Director
“Tyler has now directed two productions for St Ives Youth Theatre. The latest being a full Shakespearian work. He managed the process extremely competently, and delivered the 'product' to considerable acclaim and under budget. The perfect result.” April 15, 2011
Chris Lewis, Owner, Aver Psychology
worked directly with Tyler at St Ives youth theatre
Having always had a keen interest in the theatre I joined local acting groups and performed in a number of different plays and musicals, quickly catching the bug, I nurtured this interest with an A at gcse drama and a C in theatre studies during my time at school. when a local group I was a member of for many years were looking for additional help to join the team of volunteers I offered my services in whatever I could jumping straight into the role of assistant director on the musical vision witch ran in St Ives for 5 days then had a run at the Edinburgh fringe festival in 2010 to great acclaim. It was that same year I was to direct the spring production this was to be a double feature of two one act plays highlighting violence in young people. I had looked into the play "bang bang you're dead" by William Mistrosimone. The play discusses the story of fictional school boy josh who after his expulsion from school, returns with a gun leaving a body count in his trail. The play picks up in his cell after his capture was he is tortured by haunting memories of the people he has killed. this was directorial debut and it was described as "It was slick, pacy, convincing and unpredictable and a very promising directorial debut" the experience of directing stuck with me and keen to prove myself I set out my next challenge "William Shakespeare a midsummer nights dream" A Midsummer Night’s Dream has become a very welcome recurring event for me, having seen it several times, performed in two productions and now having the opportunity to direct this amazing piece of theatre.
“Tyler's work at the St Ives Youth Theatre (SIYT) has been prolific and industrious; innovative and inspirational for the young drama students of St Ives, I commend him most highly.” April 14, 2011
Nicholas Perry, Sir, St Ivo
was a consultant or contractor to Tyler at St Ives youth theatre
Some may believe that the ideas behind A Midsummer Night’s Dream are out-dated, but they translate quite easily in today’s world and are actually very relevant to teenagers – the power of love, the clear division of class or those with or without, arranged marriage and the classic love triangle (or even square). Through rehearsal and workshops the cast quickly developed these themes and found their own interpretations of the characters instead of trying to capture often caricatured ideas of Shakespearean characters.
One of the most enjoyable things about this production was creating the fairy world. You will notice that the fairies in this production are mainly from the younger members of SIYT. We wanted to create a world which seemed out of time and without age. In this world, then there is only a chain of command and an argument that has raged for as long as time.
The staging of this production is quite simple in comparison with its complex story line. This provides clarity of ideas and allows you to interpret these in your own way – creating a vivid fairy world on stage could not take on board the vast range of interpretations we may each have of what a fairy world could be. So this world (stage) is left bare. The characters instead create the world they enter and the audience is left free to interpret this in whatever way they choose.
Many people may have seen, maybe even played in or directed this wonderful piece before. I’m sure all of those people would agree that to stage a Shakespeare Play is a fine experience, but to interpret the text and make it your own is something truly unique. For me, this is what makes Shakespeare’s works timeless.
“I have worked with Tyler for 3 years on various projects for St. Ives Youth Theatre. He is extremely professional and hard working and has an amazing rapport with the youngsters who have performed under his direction. Tyler has an amazing focus and a steely determination to produce a first class performance, even when those around may cast doubts on some of the more 'way out' ideas, which usually steal the show! As an actor Tyler is a joy to watch and you know that he will have put everything he has into his role.” April 14, 2011
Jane Percy, Company Secretary, Pico Technology
Chris Lewis, Owner, Aver Psychology
worked directly with Tyler at St Ives youth theatre
Having always had a keen interest in the theatre I joined local acting groups and performed in a number of different plays and musicals, quickly catching the bug, I nurtured this interest with an A at gcse drama and a C in theatre studies during my time at school. when a local group I was a member of for many years were looking for additional help to join the team of volunteers I offered my services in whatever I could jumping straight into the role of assistant director on the musical vision witch ran in St Ives for 5 days then had a run at the Edinburgh fringe festival in 2010 to great acclaim. It was that same year I was to direct the spring production this was to be a double feature of two one act plays highlighting violence in young people. I had looked into the play "bang bang you're dead" by William Mistrosimone. The play discusses the story of fictional school boy josh who after his expulsion from school, returns with a gun leaving a body count in his trail. The play picks up in his cell after his capture was he is tortured by haunting memories of the people he has killed. this was directorial debut and it was described as "It was slick, pacy, convincing and unpredictable and a very promising directorial debut" the experience of directing stuck with me and keen to prove myself I set out my next challenge "William Shakespeare a midsummer nights dream" A Midsummer Night’s Dream has become a very welcome recurring event for me, having seen it several times, performed in two productions and now having the opportunity to direct this amazing piece of theatre.
“Tyler's work at the St Ives Youth Theatre (SIYT) has been prolific and industrious; innovative and inspirational for the young drama students of St Ives, I commend him most highly.” April 14, 2011
Nicholas Perry, Sir, St Ivo
was a consultant or contractor to Tyler at St Ives youth theatre
Some may believe that the ideas behind A Midsummer Night’s Dream are out-dated, but they translate quite easily in today’s world and are actually very relevant to teenagers – the power of love, the clear division of class or those with or without, arranged marriage and the classic love triangle (or even square). Through rehearsal and workshops the cast quickly developed these themes and found their own interpretations of the characters instead of trying to capture often caricatured ideas of Shakespearean characters.
One of the most enjoyable things about this production was creating the fairy world. You will notice that the fairies in this production are mainly from the younger members of SIYT. We wanted to create a world which seemed out of time and without age. In this world, then there is only a chain of command and an argument that has raged for as long as time.
The staging of this production is quite simple in comparison with its complex story line. This provides clarity of ideas and allows you to interpret these in your own way – creating a vivid fairy world on stage could not take on board the vast range of interpretations we may each have of what a fairy world could be. So this world (stage) is left bare. The characters instead create the world they enter and the audience is left free to interpret this in whatever way they choose.
Many people may have seen, maybe even played in or directed this wonderful piece before. I’m sure all of those people would agree that to stage a Shakespeare Play is a fine experience, but to interpret the text and make it your own is something truly unique. For me, this is what makes Shakespeare’s works timeless.
“I have worked with Tyler for 3 years on various projects for St. Ives Youth Theatre. He is extremely professional and hard working and has an amazing rapport with the youngsters who have performed under his direction. Tyler has an amazing focus and a steely determination to produce a first class performance, even when those around may cast doubts on some of the more 'way out' ideas, which usually steal the show! As an actor Tyler is a joy to watch and you know that he will have put everything he has into his role.” April 14, 2011
Jane Percy, Company Secretary, Pico Technology
St Ives Youth Theatre
So What's it All About ? Established in 2001 & based in the picturesque riverside market town of St. Ives, Cambridgeshire UK, SIYT is made up of around 60 students aged 11-17, (30 boys & 30 girls) with the aim of providing people in secondary education with the opportunity to develop performance skills and to gain experience of all aspects of stage craft.
This includes the support of performances through stage-management, technical support, marketing, costumes & make-up - young people are encouraged to develop the self-confidence and personal qualities that will sustain them through life. Team-working, self-respect & respect for others are key to our ethos. As well as developing performance skills & rehearsing, we organise trips to amateur & professional productions as well as educational visits to encourage understanding of the issues behind the work performed.
This includes the support of performances through stage-management, technical support, marketing, costumes & make-up - young people are encouraged to develop the self-confidence and personal qualities that will sustain them through life. Team-working, self-respect & respect for others are key to our ethos. As well as developing performance skills & rehearsing, we organise trips to amateur & professional productions as well as educational visits to encourage understanding of the issues behind the work performed.
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