WODYS – Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section – enjoyed a fun-packed spooky-kooky dance and choreography workshop, giving them a taste of the music from their next show, The Addams Family.

Run by one of the theatre group’s former members, Loren Howland, the youngsters, aged eight to 18, were delighted to be provided with a morning of being “undead ancestors” dancing to the song When You’re an Addams.

Loren, who has now completed 10 years as a secondary school drama teacher, after gaining a degree in drama and performance, took the youngsters through individual dance steps, with enthusiastic explanation of what they were trying to convey through the dance; sparking their imagination and helping them decide on the story they wanted to convey from ‘their ancestor’.

Loren who lives in Droitwich with her partner and daughter, was a member of WODYS for seven years. She now regularly performs in various venues as Lolly Parton – A Tribute to the Country Queen. She also acts with Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society and has recorded an album with her band.

She said: “The workshop was really fun. I loved being back at WODYS again.

“WODYS gave me my love of musical theatre and all things drama, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. It helped shape my career and hobbies today.”

Every autumn and winter WODYS have people to teach a variety of theatrical skills - from dance and drama to singing - in a number of eagerly attended workshops. This year the workshops still to come will include one by full masked theatre company Vamos Theatre.

Later in the year WODYS members will also be looking at their next production, The Addams Family, to be performed at Worcester’s Swan Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, August 6 to 10, 2024.

Meanwhile, the talented youngsters had the time of their ‘undead’ lives.