3 TIPS TO SUCCEED AS A YOUNG ARTIST Cho-Kiu Wong, a Hong Kong-based theatre artist, currently studying in University of Leeds as an exchange student, talks to Manic Chord Theatre …
Everyone can be an artist. That’s what they say. Well, perhaps it is time to say farewell to the age when art used to be ‘high art’- the large number of small, independent theatres mushrooming in the city are providing more than enough opportunities for people who are interested in showcasing their work. So here comes the question: if I’m serious about my art, then what can I do to stand out from the others? How can I produce works that are really good?
After interviewing Manic Chord Theatre (MCT), a young theatre company based in Leeds, I started to be able to figure out the problem. This young company was formed in 2012 when the three core members Alex Monk, Dave Cartwright and Sam Berrill graduated from Leeds Uni (and all of them under 25). Within a year and a half, they’ve already produced two shows and earned themselves a double five stars in the Edinburgh Fringe. This year they’ve started their first tour around the UK, in four different cities, and they are currently developing their third production for the Edinburgh Fringe 2014.
Given my background as a young theatre artist, I’m surprised by how much progress the MCT has made in such a short period of time. There’re lots of small theatre companies similar to the MCT (with core members below 30 years old) in Hong Kong, formed by graduates from the Academy for Performing Arts, or young art lovers who were members of the drama club in their high schools or universities. However, few of them have the ambition of turning theatre-making into their career. Even for graduates from the Academy who’d received professional training in theatre, much of their effort is distracted by part-time jobs or other performing opportunities. It appears that, for them, creating their own theatre pieces is like a hobby and it is nice to have, but as something that is set apart from their own professional development. Typically young thespians are more attracted by offers from well-established companies, and no one really dedicates 100% to the new companies. As a result few of them can actually ‘achieve’ anything.
The art scene is very cruel; it’s all or nothing. When I spoke to the members of MCT, I felt strongly that their early achievement is due to their self-discipline. ‘Working in a collective, energised, playful manner’, that’s how they described their company. Yet behind their highly entertaining performances and playful outlook, the company actually work very hard to get everything on track. They meet 4 or 5 times a week and spend the whole day on their theatre work and company business. As a young company they don’t have any resources and are not in a position to receive government funding. They have to knock on many doors to find a rehearsal space and go through all the production details themselves. This ranges from recruiting designers, settling props and costumes, to fund-raising, marketing and ticket selling – not to mention the administration side of running a company and their additional education programme for schools.
However, ‘this is where the men are separated from the boys’, said Dave, one of the company members. The MCT members always place the company as their first priority even though they each have part time jobs.
So, Tip No.1, which is simple but important- WORK HARD. If you want something you always have to pay with your soul.
But working hard is not enough. It’s the beginning but not the end. I think the thing about MTC that impresses me the most is their incredible energy. It’s amazing to see them even when they’re only rehearsing. You can see their passion and enjoyment in theatre from their highly physical and competitive style of performance. Their goal is to produce high-quality theatre pieces that are accessible for all ages, to entertain and to raise questions at the same time. However before doing so for the audience, they do it for themselves. It doesn’t imply that they ignore the audience and are only concerned with having fun themselves- what they believe is, if you want the audience to find something interesting you have to first enjoy it yourself. It reminds me of the essence of theatre, which is to share. Instead of wondering what the audience will like, and ending up following the trend or being the shadows of certain masters, we should simply follow our heart. Do what YOU find is inspiring, interesting and exciting. DO WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO!
Finally, BE AMBITIOUS. The MTC never stops. They keep producing new high-quality work. They join the Fringe festivals; go into schools, and tour around the country. They work with new people, and are constantly reflecting on and adjusting their way of running the company. They said they didn’t have a motto, but for me they’re living in the moment. They’re enjoying it and yet they’re never satisfied with the present. They always seek for challenges and breakthroughs and that’s where the dynamic of their performances come from.
Work-hard, play-hard. Never Stop. A lesson I learnt from Manic Chord Theatre.
Cho-Kiu Wong is a Hong Kong-based theatre artist, currently studying in University of Leeds as an exchange student. Her personal Website is at www.behance.net/chokiu