A new youth theatre concept, Studio 18, is being spearheaded by director Jean Marc Cafa. Charlotte Stafrace gets carried away by the buzz of this innovative project.

Summer intensive workshop in progress.

Jean Marc Cafa is quick to inform me that Studio 18 is not a drama school. It is, instead, a place where youths in the 15 to 21 age bracket can put their studies to practical use through performance-based experiences and, indeed, find a way “to play”. The group, he tells me, also strives to develop new skills in its participants.

Studio 18 provides one-off workshops; many well-known faces in the performing and directing scene have, to date, conducted classes and shared experiences. Recently, an actor who has worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company gave a very fruitful session.

There are also more intensive summer workshops, which are open to anyone who is interested. These sessions focus on how actors react to given situations through movement. Workshops in musical theatre are also included.

But the core programme at Studio 18 is the Creative Lab. Participants are chosen through auditions, which strive to bring together a group of youths with different drama, dance or singing experiences to work collectively. The first round of auditions has already been held, with a second series scheduled for the end of September. Once recruited, the group will attend three sessions a week.

The first session will get theperformers to develop existing, or new, performance skills. The second session deals with creating work – this can be woven from experiences, stories and different bits of information. The third session includes brainstorming, workshops and fora.

Once the group is finalised, the performers are expected to co-ordinate one event for charity with the help of mentors and collaborations with different organisations.

This event reflects the huge importance that social responsibility and independent thinking are given at Studio 18. An actor, Cafa says, doesn’t limit him/herself to acting. His or her vast array of skills can be applied to various aspects of the creative industry. In reality all that is being learnt, juggled around and shared can be applied to a multitude of future careers.

But just how difficult is it to get today’s youth to commit? Cafa is quick to reply that he faced no difficulties with that; on the contrary, the members of the group have become so dedicated to their passion for development that they have been more than altruistic with their time. A key factor in getting the core group to commit is to give them ownership of the project.

Youngsters, who are today taking part in the programme, could be future project leaders and facilitators

“It helps if you find ways toengage with and inspire them,” Cafa says. And once these youths are encouraged to work in a team, it is less likely to be “all about me”.

After all, as an actor, you work towards being someone different, juggling many hats. As many youths in the group are finding out, being generous towards the team ethos is actually very rewarding.

Studio 18’s energy is being generated from a new central site in Mosta, The Box, being run by Daniel and Christina Cauchi of the Big Band Brothers and Red Tape Dance Company fame, so the whole space now encompasses music, dance and drama. Being in such a complex enables particpants to actually feed off the energy of other performers and provides the right stimulus to create.

So where does Studio 18 intend to go? Cafa says the youngsters, who are today taking part in the programme, could be future project leaders and facilitators. Moreover, in 2018, these youths will hopefully be at the forefront and also part of the creative celebration. Studio 18 is already working on generating a spark – that of being a catalyst in the growth of the creative industry.

For more information e-mail workshops.studio18@gmail.com.