A children's theatre director with ME, who always remembers to pace and rest during her busier times, has been firing up the imaginations and performance skills of more than a hundred children in her area.
Megan Young, who trained in English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London, runs Miniver Academy in Dronfield, Derbyshire – which has become a well-known fixture on the local scene since she set it up in 2022.
Megan writes and directs her own shows. She took time out to talk to us after staging three performances of her latest show, ‘Robin Hood’, for 7-10 year olds at Coal Aston Village Hall, near Chesterfield, last month.
“I own the Miniver Academy and teach classes each week as well as write and direct all our shows but I have the help of my brilliant teachers Julie and Emily and other wonderful supporters”, said 27-year-old Megan.
“I absolutely love my job but that does mean that I have trouble switching off and making myself rest (before my body forces me to). I'm still struggling with this but I feel that I'm better at not pushing myself than I used to be.
“I think I've also gotten better at accepting help and asking others for support. I'm very grateful to have a wonderful support network but I've felt guilty in the past for accepting help – still do (but I'm definitely working on it)! I also like to think that I've become more open when I'm struggling.
“If I'm having a tough time due to my ME, I'm more likely to express that to people instead of trying to push forward (which is likely to cause an exacerbation or relapse) or hiding my struggles from people as I have done in the past.”
Megan set up her theatre company – named after the 1942 film ‘Mrs Miniver’, a favourite of her late grandma and her family – with fellow graduate Andrei Cotocu. They started putting on shows Megan had written which proved to be a success across the country.
Photos show Miniver Academy students during their recent performance of Robin Hood – written and directed by Megan herself.
One show, ‘At This Stage’, toured across the South of England after debuting at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh – where Megan moved to for two years, working as a social media manager before she became too ill to continue her work there.
Another, ‘Love You and Leave You (Dead)’, sold out at the New Wimbledon Theatre Studio in London. But soon after Megan started struggling with health and in 2022 she moved back to the family home near Sheffield.
After coming to terms with the limitations of her condition, she bit the bullet and set up Miniver Academy.
“I might be a tad biased but our students are definitely talented enough to become professional actors and I'll be their biggest cheerleader when that happens.” she told us.
“At the moment, however, my main focus is their enjoyment. I want them to have fun with drama and have a great time with their friends who share a love for the theatre. For some,, this is their introduction to the topic and I want to cultivate their interest and passion.”
The group – which has students ranging in age from toddlers to late teens – is frequently seen out and about in the local community. They’ve performed for the Mayor of Dronfield at local events, appeared at Christmas lights switch-ons, Christmas markets, arts festivals, and more.
One mum, Catherine Gibbons, said her nine-year-old daughter Martha had been going to Miniver for 18 months and thoroughly enjoys herself. “She has school friends there and it’s been nice to meet others across Dronfield too. It’s so nice to see them all on the stage having fun and putting on such a brilliant performance! I am so grateful to Megan and the rest of the team for giving these acting opportunities to the children”.
Parents of any young actors who would want to have a go at the drama classes can attend the first week for free. All classes at the Miniver Academy last an hour and cost £6 per session.
Anyone who is interested in joining can fill in an online form or email Megan at miniveracademy@gmail.com
Photo shows Megan seated in the front row with some of her students at a rehearsal.
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Volunteer, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566
