Taylor Jay Productions, which was formed by Taylor Jay, is undoubtedly an incredible production company who have already proven that they are ones to watch out for in the theatre industry, already putting on some fantastic productions at the Phoenix Arts Club including Ordinary Days, [title of show] and Edges. Taylor Jay Productions' next project is Spring Awakening, which will be running at the Phoenix Arts Club from the 22nd - 25th August. We spoke to Taylor Jay to tell us more.
Q) Hello. Before we begin, please can you introduce yourself and tell us more about your background in theatre?
Hiya! I’m Taylor and I am a London-based Theatre Producer. I originally trained as a Musical Theatre performer at Guildford School of Acting and Trinity Laban - but just before my final year, I decided to take time out to see what I really wanted to do. Turns out - producing is the thing for me!
Q) What was it that inspired you to make this change and has being a former performer influenced how you approach producing shows?
In the summer before my 3rd year, I was diagnosed with Colitis. It’s a form of IBD - i’d been struggling with these symptoms for years. I decided (after quite a tough 2nd year!) that 5 years of training was enough for me and that I should focus on putting my physical and mental health first for once.
Being a former performer is interesting when producing - I feel like I have a sort-of niche that not many other Producers have. My knowledge enables me to look at certain things more than other producers might - for example, the need for covers and swings in this industry, estimating rehearsal times and taking care of my casts.
Q) Could you tell us a little bit more about the work you do with Taylor Jay Productions and what you aspire to achieve?
I really love working with fellow neurodiverse individuals - the industry doesn’t always get our ‘quirks’, so it’s nice to be in a room full of them without worrying that someone will take something that I say the wrong way. I also am very passionate about platforming new talent, and putting on shows that have rarely been performed over here.
Q) You are so positive in your approach of working with upcoming new talent in the industry - how can potential performers get involved with your work?
All of my concerts are open to submissions from everyone. I post publicly on my Instagram every time that one of these is casting. Show-wise, I tend to use Spotlight for casting - it enables me to reach out to a wider and more diverse audience. [title of show] had 1500+ submissions for 4 roles - it’s a really tough game. Make sure you have an example of your singing voice on your Spotlight!
Q) You’ve recently put on productions of Ordinary Days and Edges at the Phoenix Art Club - how did these song cycles go down with the audience and are these the types of productions that you are hoping to stage more frequently in the future?
Honestly, I was unsure about how Ordinary Days would be received. My choice was based on the fact that it was a short show, a small cast, and that it contained one of the most notorious female drama school audition songs, ‘Gotta Get Out’. It was received really well, and I really hope there’s a future life for it.
Edges was a really fun one - I knew it would go down well because it’s Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, Dogfight). It was a really fun show to do, because we got to chop and change the show from a list of 20-ish songs they gave us to create our own version of the show and story.
These short, small cast shows are fab and I love them. Especially song cycles - as they give the audience opportunity to focus in on the acting and vocals, as opposed to a whole spectacle.
Q) Your next project will be Spring Awakening, which is running at the Phoenix Arts Club from the 22nd - 25th August - what in particular stood out to you in terms of putting this musical on?
Spring Awakening would have been my last 3rd year musical. I thought the idea of putting this on a few months after it would’ve been, would be such a power move - not in the show, but producing it! The Director of the Phoenix Arts Club (shout out to Peter - one of my biggest supporters/enablers in this industry) pitched the idea of doing a larger show to me, and I immediately said yes.
I fell in love with the show when I worked on the 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert in the West End in June. I got to meet the writer (Steven Sater) and the original West End cast - and I feel like I got a much deeper understanding of the show. It’s so cleverly written and so dark.
Q) Why should audiences come along and what can audiences expect?
It is SUCH a good show in every area. The vocals and acting are top notch, the choreography and movement is great fun and the cast are fabulous. Expect Spring Awakening like you haven’t seen it before. It’s happening around you in an ‘abandoned bar’. We make use of the space, the lighting, even the theatrical posters on the walls. No spoilers, but - we’ve gone all out for this production.
Spring Awakening runs at the Phoenix Arts club from the 22nd August until 25th August - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here. You can also keep up to date with the incredible work of Taylor Jay Productions on here.
Photography by Danny Kaan
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