ALTITUDE

ALTITUDE
IS our new performance group made up of young people
aged 10-16 years. Our group leader, Cheryl, has always
had a great interest and passion for the performing arts.
She felt led to give young people in Gosport the opportunity to experience and develop the same interests in a Godly
environment where there is potential for them to get involved in other church activities. She also feels that such an opportunity is a positive deterrent from other negative influences surrounding today's teenagers.
It was initially intended for secondary aged young people but due to a keen interest from those year 5 youngsters, it was decided to lower the age and boy what a good decision that was!
Altitude also has its very own tea lady... Nat; a fellow youth leader at S.R.B.C
but she does, however, still need to live up to that title as to this day she
has never made any member of the group a cup of tea! Despite this though,
the young people are very keen to get her kitted out with an Altitude T-shirt
displaying this glamorous yet undeserved title!! They also think Cheryl should
have one saying Director but after much discussion we have opted out of this.Altitude meet from 3.00pm to 4:45pm on Sunday afternoons. We have seen
an incredible bonding within the group and it has been marvellous to see
their friendships develop. With groups as close as this, the danger is that
people can alienate others but we are very glad to say that new members
have been welcomed and included too. We have been so encouraged by their
joy, enthusiasm, commitment and support for each other. Added to this,
the responses of downcast faces and words to the effect of, "Oh what? No
Altitude!" at the possibility of a weeks break from it have made us very aware
of just how much they enjoy attending. In the short time that Altitude has been meeting, we have put on two
performances. The first, 'Perfect Light' was at Christmas. It was
fabulous to see friends, parents, grandparents and various
other relatives together with many members of S.R.B.C come and support the young people. Some even came from as far as Lincolnshire!! Amazing how the word of Altitude managed to get that far up north! The second performance, 'Life' was at Easter. The young people had great fun at rehearsals coming up with ideas for the performance. The director incorporated some of these wonderful ideas whilst the tea lady nodded with much approval. At both performances, all the young people of Altitude did an absolutely
brilliant job. Everybody contributed in such a magnificent way and we believe
that the confidence and ability of each group member has grown. Our newest
member shone in his lead role in one of the dramas. Another success story
that springs to mind is of a boy who initially joined up to help the tea lady .
However, within moments he had resigned from his tea boy post and was right
in there perfecting those dance routines! We are also delighted to say that,
obviously so impressed by their first performance, the Lincolnshire visitor
returned for our second performance too. Along with this, we also attracted
additional audience members from Birmingham! Well what more can we say other than we hope to do another performance in
the summer so please, please come along and to all the Altitude members
we must quote Brucie in saying, "You're my favourites!!" That goes to any
additional members too, so please encourage the young people you know to
join us and if they say of themselves, "But I can't dance or do drama", just let
them know of our tea assistant vacancy!