A Thought From Our Community: Nicola Pearson
“More than just a School of the Arts; a family lifeline.”
No school, no playdates, no live performance, no socialising; the life blood of our family and so many others taken away by the impact of the pandemic. The potential for misery and boredom was huge and yet my family were able to overcome so much of this with the astonishing hard work, commitment and innovation of Team TACT.
In spite of all the restrictions imposed on us all over the last few months, we, as a family, have all still been able to benefit from the many opportunities still offered by TACT. Lessons in singing, drama and dance have still been available online, giving my children the chance to continue the extra-curricular activities they love and enabling them to connect with the friends they have made over their years attending TACT.
The live public performances that TACT are renowned for were of course cancelled. We were all disappointed that the rehearsals my daughter had been working so hard in would be wasted. But by some astonishing, technical wizardry beyond my understanding, the staff at TACT embraced the concept that ‘The Show Must Go On’ and, whilst we sat anxiously on the sofa with drinks and snacks, the laptop plugged into the TV for quality viewing, my eldest daughter performed her solo from her bedroom whilst we watched live from the living room. Performances from bedrooms across Telford enabled us to be part of ‘theatre’ in a whole new way, quenching our thirst for a show. Several of these have now been produced, not only featuring my children, but also an ‘Alumni Concert’, showcasing the incredible talent that TACT has produced over the years: A real treat.
Recognising people’s need for social interaction and entertainment, Team TACT streamed ‘Murder Mysteries’ and quizzes; family events that brought much hilarity and healthy (I use the term loosely) competition into our home. My husband being particularly keen on being able to unmute himself to play detective!
For me personally, watching TACT’s first virtual choir performance awakened in me a long hibernating passion to perform. Having been on the side lines as a ‘TACT mum’, attending my children’s performances with pride and enthusiasm, ensuring lines were learnt and rehearsals attended on time, I had never really considered being on the stage rather than in the audience. Even my husband gets to perform in the pit on his trumpet. But seeing faces of students, staff and most importantly, other mums, singing ‘Somewhere Out There’ so beautifully made me think I want to be part of that too. And with some trepidation I signed up to the next virtual choir. Virtual became reality when I attended VIP choir at TACT. Socially distanced, and in bubbles and then via zoom, we rehearsed throughout the second lockdown and last week I was able to watch myself perform at the Christmas Concert that was streamed to people’s homes. What a privilege to able to sing with such an incredibly talented group who have been so nurturing and supportive.
I cannot thank all the brilliant staff at TACT enough for ensuring that things have been able to continue in some way, shape or form over these difficult months. For me and, I’m sure, for many other families, The Arts Centre Telford really has been more than its name, it has been a family lifeline.