Greetings everyone, I'm Fairy Crystal and your spirit guide I shall be. We are off on a panto adventure, full of laughter, fun and glee!
Well, not quite... I'm Beth, S.A.T.S' current Marketing & Events Assistant. Nevertheless, we really are off on an adventure, full of laughter fun and glee and I sincerely hope you'll join us! I’m here to tell you a little bit about myself, what S.A.T.S. means to me and how truly amazing the company is for its members – the #SATSFamily – and you, our audience!
S.A.T.S. is incredibly important to me; you may know me better as Fairy Crystal from our 2019 Pantomime, Jack & The Beanstalk, or as Snow White from our 2015 pantomime, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves. Whilst these are both roles which I was more than happy to take on in the last six years, they are humongous undertakings that ‘little me’ wouldn’t ever have dreamed I’d be accepting one day!
Before I joined S.A.T.S, I was a quiet girl who went to school in the morning, sat in class all day (usually knowing the answers but not daring to raise my hand) and then went straight home. Except for the days when Miss Johnson’s dance club was running. I knew I loved to dance and the feeling I got whilst performing. But, having quit dance classes a few years earlier, I had thought I was too far behind my peers and therefore could never contemplate theatre as a career. Then, one day I went to watch my best friend play the fairy in a Stoke Amateur Theatre Society pantomime, saw how much fun the whole cast were having and swiftly requested to join the S.A.T.S Facebook group to keep watch for their next audition announcement.
Today, having benefited from the opportunities S.A.T.S has given me in abundance over the years, I am (almost) a completely different person! My first spoken lines, my first solo song and my first named role are just a few examples of these opportunities which helped my confidence blossom.
One thing you may or may not have noticed, when attending our performances over the years, is most of the Production Team is made up of young people, headed up by our writer and director, Paul Brammer. Being trusted with the title of choreographer when I was 17 is probably one of the most significant things to have ever happened to me in terms of my confidence. It was this which made me realise I really could do anything I wanted to, as long as I put my mind to it. I am proud to now work alongside Carys, the current choreographer who was one of my team of dancers in Robinson Crusoe!
After a few years away from S.A.T.S, doing a multitude of things which I couldn’t have done without the skills and self-confidence I gained during my time with the company, I decided I couldn’t keep away and returned at the start of 2019.
Most recently, I became a member of the S.A.T.S Committee as Marketing & Events Assistant. With this role came even more amazing opportunities and possibilities, all of which coincide with my current degree in Events Management at Staffordshire University!
I am incredibly grateful for the faith the #SATSFamily have put in me once again as I work on developing and managing their social media and website as part of my university course. For the time being, you’ll be hearing from me as I bring you the latest S.A.T.S news. However as soon as my module is complete, I hope to share some more stories just like mine from our other fabulous members!
To conclude, I guess the message I’ve been trying to convey is this:
Whilst I'm a firm believer in creating your own opportunities, being part of a theatre company is an absolutely invaluable experience no matter what your age or role, as it creates so many opportunities and life lessons. I really wouldn't be the person I am today if S.A.T.S hadn't been there to help mould me, support all my dreams (theatre related or not) and build my self-confidence to a stage where I'm able to seize the opportunities I want. I’m beyond happy that I can continue to grow alongside S.A.T.S whilst giving something back to the company and ever-changing #SATSFamily who I love so dearly!
I hope you’ll all come a long for the adventure, full of laughter, fun and glee!
- Beth
Check out our upcoming performances & events here: www.stokeamtheatre.co.uk/events