Lizzie and The Arts

Through my childhood and teenage years I had experiences of all areas of the Arts.

Drama

While I was at my first school, I took part in all my class assemblies and plays. In most of the plays I was in, I had the part of a narrator. I sometimes felt annoyed about this, as I felt that the only reason I was a narrator was because it was a static part, where my wheelchair didn't have to be pushed on and off the stage. My sister took part in school plays too, and whilst at secondary school she was in the chorus of ‘Fiddler on the Roof' and had a main part in ‘Ratz' which was a musical of the story of the Pied Piper. I went to watch her in her plays and looked forward to doing the same things. At junior school, I had speech and drama lessons with some of the other girls. In these classes we would act small plays together and I had the opportunity to see that I could do other parts. In my last year of junior school the school did ‘The Evacuees' and although I was (again!) a narrator, I loved the whole experience of acting and being involved in the rehearsals and then the 3 nights of the show. While I was at secondary school I took part in a poetry competition at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and I won a medal for reciting two poems. Drama was always one of my favourite lessons throughout school, and I was quite sad that I was unable to fit it into my timetable for GCSE.

Music

From the age of six until fourteen I had piano lessons and I had five different teachers. Playing the piano was a great way for me to keep my hands and fingers moving as well as enjoying the tunes. I didn't enjoy the lessons so much when I had a teacher who made me practise every night and then talked behind me to my helper while I was playing! The pieces that I learned to play the best were ‘The Bare Necessities' and ‘Walking in the Air'. One of my other piano teachers organised little concerts for her pupils to show the parents at the end of each term. I really liked having the opportunity to play with other instruments and to have the chance to be in a sort of mini orchestra! I always wanted to try to play the piccolo, but never fulfilled that ambition! At secondary school, I was a member of the choir for a couple of years, and enjoyed singing in various school concerts and services.

Ballet

I started ballet lessons when I was 6 years old. I loved the music and doing all the movements that I could. My mother would hold me up for the static dances, and for the moving ones, she or one of my friends would push me round the room while I moved my arms and feet. I had to give up my ballet when I was 12 as I was getting too tall and heavy to hold up, and I found it too difficult to sit without my body brace on.

Art and Design

I have always loved drawing, painting, collage making, and any type of art. I studied Art through to A level and continue my interest now through drawing on the computer, using my digital photographs to create collages and doing fabric printing. I am involved with the Buddy Scheme at Pallant House and hope to get linked to a volunteer in the near future.

I would encourage all readers to get involved in any type of Art, Drama, Music or Dance available. It was a great way for me to express myself and I loved all the activities that I was involved in. As a family we have always enjoyed trips to various types of plays, concerts, shows and performances as well as visiting exhibitions at museums and art galleries. Having experienced various aspects of the Arts while I was growing up has helped me to appreciate the hard work and practice that goes into a production as well as the fun and satisfaction.

Lizzie Baily lizzie@wellspringwestsussex.org.uk