Course Content
ACTING
In these classes be prepared to challenge your thinking, what does it mean to act, and what is the role of the actor? There will be a mix of acting theory, drawing on several critical perspectives, and practical work involving movement, voice and all the tools of self-expression. We will workshop a variety of material with tutors, peers, and guest lecturers all in support of your application process for university or drama school.
SCENE STUDY
Scene study classes follow the process of preparing, rehearsing and presenting a scripted text. The rehearsal room is where actors experiment with and apply their training in relation to different theatrical forms and rehearsal processes. The classes enable actors to explore, develop and take risks. Scene study is where all acting techniques learned on the course are put into practice and critique given for the benefit of all in the class.
VOICE
A stalwart of all actors training is working with speech. Develop a healthy and robust speaking voice that can tackle the most challenging of situations with precision and clarity.
MOVEMENT
Discover your body’s expressive potential and have at your disposal the techniques which will allow you to achieve the physical and imaginative transformations required as an actor. The classes explore key movement influences, including Laban, Lecoq and Anne Bogart's Viewpoints training. The focus of the classes is to embody movement with imagination at its heart, working on body awareness, improvisation and developing original performance and choreography that allows you to clearly express ideas, emotions and enrich storytelling.
TEXT
Establish a process for working with words as a starting point. The practice of finding the drama and making sense of any text. Particular attention will be paid to Shakespeare along with prose and a healthy dose of sight reading!
BALLET
The ballet course provides students with strong technique and understanding of the basic requirements for ballet. Through a structured programme of floor work, barre and centre practice the students learn how to maintain correct posture and how to correctly use their turnout, while also developing a knowledge of the French vocabulary and common dance patterns. By the end of the year they will be confident in dancing short sequences and responding to a variety of music, leaving them well prepared for college auditions.
PLAY
Join all Drama and Dance courses in a practical session exploring improvisation through play and games.
PHYSICAL THEATRE
These sessions will explore how through movement we can be inspired to tell stories in new and innovative ways. Unique movement vocabulary can be devised from unexpected starting points and it is through this creative process that new choreography emerges. Students are led on a revealing and liberating journey, connecting narrative, emotion and character with movement.
THEATRE IN CONTEXT
These classes shed light on a range of influential practitioners across theatre and performance training. We will explore the key ideas and approaches that have formed the background to theatre’s development and pivotal moments in actor training practice.
THEATRE LABORATORY
Identify and apply the skills and specific training related to devised performance. Extend your creative development, addressing acting as an embodied and exploratory art form at the heart of the theatre-making process. Interpret and evaluate performance methodologies from a diverse range of critical perspectives, with a focus on contemporary companies and practitioners.
JAZZ DANCE
Students will work on developing the foundations of Jazz technique through a variety of exercises focused on improving strength, flexibility, and performance skills. Students will be challenged by working on a range of jazz styles and contrasting routines.
GROUP SINGING
Improve your overall singing technique while learning key skills for working within an ensemble, such as listening, tuning, timing, and holding a harmony. Surround yourself with the powerful sounds of an ensemble in song!
