Spotlight
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Spotlight Drama Academy is enjoying a third year as Baldock's only independently run performing arts establishment. The group is run entirely by young people aged 17-19, and welcomes anyone aged 8-16 to be in the cast. After two variety evenings and two musicals, the group is now preparing to begin work on its final production - "Annie". Spotlight will be ending on what will hopefully be a high note before several members of the production team progress to universities and drama schools.

Back in May 2005, the idea to launch the group was developed by a group of then-GCSE students, and after touring local schools with assemblies aimed at recruiting members, the group held its first session in September that year. For its first two terms, Spotlight ran in groups as opposed to one big company. The members were split by age group, and lead by one to two leaders to a group, they each prepared a short play. These were showcased at Spotlight's first performance evening, "The Xmas Factor", in December 2006.

In January 2006 the group continued much along the same lines, only with an additional group added especially for those with an interest in Dance Drama. The second performance evening, held in March, was named "Oh What A Night", and was praised for being a vast development on its predecessor.

The production team decided that its next project would be a musical production. The show of choice was "Grease", and members interested in taking part were merged into one company. Strong interest from local teenagers led to a large intake of new people for the cast, and after an audition workshop in May the show was cast. Newcomers Rebecca Owen and Dan Bell were comfortably cast as the world's most famous musical couple, Danny and Sandy. After a long and stressful rehearsal period, the 40-strong company took the show to the stage in December 2006. All three performances sold out and became the Spotlight's most acclaimed project to date.

 In January 2007, Spotlight temporarily reverted back to the group system with which it began. Until Easter the group worked on building upon the skills of the company as opposed to building up towards an another production. Those who preferred production work as opposed to workshop session left the group during this term, but in April it was announced that there would be another musical in the pipeline - "Guys And Dolls".

More new members arrived in time for the casting auditions, which saw Adam Furness, Shannen Fuller, Anthony Goddard and Sophie Mance cast in the four principle roles. Rehearsals got into full swing in June, but two of Spotlight's original founder leaders found other demanding commitments left no time for another show, and they decided to leave. In their place, a new vocal coach and choreographer were appointed, and the new five-strong production team has since become regarded as the tightest and most productive in Spotlight's history.

In October 2007 Spotlight went into new territory by launching an online TV-style series following the rehearsals for "Guys And Dolls". Entitled "Broadway To Baldock", it built up a strong viewership over the course of its 8-episode run. "Guys And Dolls" was performed on December 15th 2007, and once again set a new high for Spotlight, with many labelling it "even better than Grease".

In January 2008 Spotlight will begin work on "Annie", which is to be performed in May and will be the final production for the group. "Broadway To Baldock" will return for a second series in April.