Category:Young Company

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Overview

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The Young Company is a theatrical acting troupe at BYU in the Theatre and Media Arts Department. The Young Company serves as a training ground for both BYU actors and directors wanting to work in theatre for young audiences. The group performs in front of on average, 23,000 young people each year, bringing live theatre to many who would not otherwise see it, using mediums such as children's theatre, mime and puppetry. The main purpose of the Young Company is to abridge classic performances, in order to be more accessible for young people. It has since expanded to include one Shakespeare and one modern play every year.

The Young Company, originally known as the “The Whittlin’ Whistlin’ Brigade,” was formed in 1975. Since then, the company has toured nationally and abroad, including the former Yugoslavia, Austria, Norway and the southern United States.

History

The name, Whittlin’ Whistlin’ Brigade was taken from LDS Church history. In the 1840’s, early church members built the city, Nauvoo, Illinois, from reclaimed marshland at Commerce, Illinois. “Nauvoo” meant “City Beautiful,” and its purpose was to remain a place safe from political injustice and social persecutions in their desire to practice their religion. Unfortunately, it was to no avail, and persecution continued to increase. In the midst of these conditions, and as an attempt to protect their property and their lives, a troop of boys armed with jack knives and sticks formed what was called the “whittlin’ whistlin’ brigade.” Whenever a suspicious individual came to town, the group would surround the stranger, not saying anything, and would whittle and whistle until the stranger became uncomfortable and left. This small and courageous action was enough to prohibit unwanted intruders from lurking on the sidewalks of Nauvoo.

Over a hundred years later the name resurfaced as the name of the acting troupe of BYU, comprised mostly of undergraduates, who have taught and delighted students of all ages through live performances. The company was formed by Dr. Harold Oaks in 1974. In 1983, the name was changed to The Young Company at the request of BYU administration. Permission was being sought for a company tour to Yugoslavia and Austria with the play Patches of Oz, representing the University. The administration was seeking title clarification and felt “The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade” was not an easily recognizable name, thus was born The Young Company.

Productions

1975 The Emperor's New Clothes Abraham & Isaac: The Akedah
1976 Yankee Doodle
1977 Toad-!
1978 Androcles and the Lion Mormon Montage
1979 Sleeping Beauty
1980 Cinderella
1981 Beauty and the Beast
1982 The Marvelous Land of Oz Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1983 Patches of Oz Cinderella
1984 The Meiser Winnie the Pooh
1985 The Nightingale
1986 Androcles and the Lion
1987 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1988 The Land of Everywhere
1989 Bamboozled
1990 Tales from 1001 Nights
1991 And Miles to go Before I Sleep
1992 The Purple Fan
1993 Step on a Crack
1994 Charlotte's Web
1995 The Reluctant Dragon
1996 Rumpelstiltskin
1997 The Arkansas Bear
1998 Step on a Crack
1999 The Yellow Boat
2000 Goodbye Marianne
2001 Taste of Sunrise
2003 Grimm Tales As You Like It
2004 Cymbeline
2005 Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse Hamlet
2006 Twelfth Night Holes
2007 King Lear The Jungle Book
2008 Pericles Good Night Moon
2009 The Tempest A Thousand Cranes
2012 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
2013 Henry V


References

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Media in category "Young Company"

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