Meet the committee

Three weeks old and in a carry cot, that was me on stage for the first time, by the age of six I had been in puppet shows, Oliver, King and I and had traveled around the country on many stages in other performances. Moving forward by a ‘ number ‘ of years and having done hundreds of different projects and shows, directing, costume making, make up, set design and building. I decided to create a different kind of teaching group for those who wanted to learn theatre skills, to build confidence and be given opportunities that in most cases people don’t get, so taking all my professional knowledge I first set up Wychwood Saplings in 2010 for Primary ages with two others and then Branching out drama society / BODS on my own in 2017…the talent that is in our communities is amazing and I’m so pleased that Bods has been able to help so many over the years and give them life skills through drama and the chance to shine on and off stage. With the Wychwood Saplings it’s been a wonderful experience to watch the tiny children developing into great actors, gain experience in theatre and in the world around them and grow up into amazing people who go out into the world in successful jobs and careers. Many have continued with Bods.

The Bods theatre family keeps growing and is one to behold, the stage is just another room in the house and acting is just storytelling behind a mask. In my working life Bods is not only a successful venture but one that I’m so proud of creating but the best bit are the people who make it so exciting and fun!

After a working life with mundane numbers as a Chartered Accountant I chose, on retirement, to concentrate instead on dramatic words and this has resulted in writing and acting in 7 pantomimes and 15 plays.

Taking part in amateur theatre has been a totally joyous and fulfilling experience. Every production requires dedicated teamwork where the efforts of the technical and back stage crew merit applause equal to the performers on stage.

Ageism is now rightly regarded as an outdated concept so it is utterly delightful to see BODS wholeheartedly encompassing the opportunity for all age groups with an interest in drama to develop and enhance their capabilities in such a congenial and positive group.

I have been involved with amateur theatre for the last 25 years, mostly on stage, but I have also served on a number of committees. I am currently the treasurer for BODS, trying to keep the spending within our limited budget.

I have been a member of BODS for a year and have really enjoyed our Monday evening classes and performing in A Christmas Carol. It’s a brilliant way of meeting people and sharing the magic that happens when we bring a performance to the stage. As the new Secretary I look forward to keeping the Committee organised and helping to navigate the future for this wonderful and inclusive community group.

I have been involved with many of Mandy's productions over the years since I was a teenager and was previously on the Saplings committee up until last year when I switched to B.O.D.S. I am a Paediatric Nurse which keeps me busy a lot of the time but B.O.D.S is a great way to unwind. It is unlike any other group I have been involved with before in that despite being a group of people of various ages and from different backgrounds with a wide range of acting/performance experience, everyone is so welcoming and it really does feel like a big group of friends. Everyone is so supportive of each other on and off stage and we enjoy social events together as well as rehearsals and performances. I feel very honoured to be part of the committee.

My name is Lizzie Large. I have been involved with dance and theatre since the age of 2. I manage the box office for BODS and you will usually find me on the door of the performances. In the real world I am a qualified Occupational Therapist working in the NHS as well as running my own inclusive dance school, specialising in wheelchair dance and care homes.

Performance is world of escape where you can be anyone or anything you want to be and I love it!