THE Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama is launching what is believed to be the UK’s only film school special effects course and classes on stand-up comedy at its summer school, this August.
Led by the Academy’s award winning lecturers and visiting industry professionals, the Academy’s Dramaworks team has put together a packed programme of specialist theatre projects for seasoned professionals and the absolute beginner.
And there is something to keep the kids busy this summer as well.
Youngsters aged 5 – 17 years are being offered the chance to perform on stage, try their hand at scriptwriting and even compose new music.
There are six summer courses for young people to choose from this July with everything from performing in a fairy tale with a difference to surprising the people of Glasgow with a performance on the streets.
There’s even the chance to pen your very own script and compose original music for a special performance in the Academy
“This summer programme is our most ambitious yet,” said Eona Craig, head of Dramaworks.
“The wide range of courses offer unique opportunities for young people to work with industry experts and produce exciting original performance. Alongside the chance to create and perform, the projects can also help build confidence and are a great way to make new friends.”
Each course at the Dramaworks Summer School is an exciting one or two week programme of specialist training. All summer school students will be involved in practical work and will benefit from access to cutting-edge facilities within the Academy. Students will be challenged by expert tutors enabling each individual to learn and develop and the summer school progresses.
Professor John Wallace, Principal of the Academy, said: “Summer school at the Academy is a steep learning curve. I can promise each student that comes along an enjoyable time and a real sense of achievement at the end it. It’s the ideal way to begin the learning of a new craft or help you up-skill on existing techniques. Above all, it is a chance to meet interesting people, develop new ideas and allow yourself time to think!”
This year there are eight courses available for those either already working in or considering a career in the performing or production arts or people simply looking to immerse themselves in a creative experience.
Scholarships and bursaries available.
Notes to Editors
Summer School Courses for Adults (17+) and Theatre Professionals
Devising Theatre 2-6 August For those interested in making new theatre that is vibrant, challenging and meaningful to society. Participants will work with the Academy’s specialists in devising performance and with other like minded people to create and original piece of theatre.
Acting 2-13 August Working closely with the Academy’s teaching staff to develop performance skills. Study established acting methodologies and techniques, develop acting, voice and movement skills.
Design in Performance: Set and Costume or Lighting and Sound 2-13 August Delivered by the Academy’s design lecturers and guest specialists, consisting of practical and theoretical teaching and group projects, participants have the opportunity to develop and apply new design skills.
Prosthetics 9-27 August Led by Martin Mallorie, the Academy’s award winning lecturer in Design and Props, this course in the only one of its’ kind in the UK. Under Martin’s guidance and with teaching by some of the most experienced industry professionals, participants will study and produce special effects prosthetics for stage and screen working with both traditional and cutting-edge materials.
Musical Theatre 16 – 20 August Moving at an energetic pace, this course will focus on the skills needed to interpret musical theatre material. Developing acting through song, character development, singing skills and stylistic choice will all be covered.
Modern Ballet 2-6 August This course is for young people aged 13-17 who are interested in developing skills in classical ballet technique, repertoire, jazz and contemporary dance.
Stand-Up Comedy 16-20 August In partnership with The Stand Comedy Club, professional comedians will cover the basics of stand-up. Character and sketch development, improvisation, microphone technique, stage presentation, dealing with audiences and how to sell yourself in this competitive industry.
Acting for Camera (Performance and Production) 23-27 August This is an exciting new course for people interested in acting for camera or in the technical production of digital film and television. Working with the Academy’s acting and DFTV staff, performance and production skills will be explored and developed, culminating in the production of show reel material.
Summers School Courses for Children and Young People
Pack a Bag 5-9 July suitable for five-to-five year-olds Day one – bring your packed bag with you ready to begin your journey. What are you going to pack? Why? What is most important to you? Grab your best walking boots, a bottle of water and enough supplies to last a week and join us on a trip across land, water and desert. It will be tough but I’m sure we will all get through it. Who will we meet? What might we discover on the way – about ourselves, others?
Happy Ever After 12 to 16 July Suitable for eight-to-11 year-olds Fairytales. What springs to mind? Cuddly talking animals, sweet-natured princesses and a cringe worthy kiss at the end? THINK AGAIN … Come and join us as we investigate through drama, the dark and sinister side of fairytales and the secret messages that are contained within them. Together, we will create a contemporary fairy tale, turning traditional stories on their head and asking important questions like: Why are princes brave and princesses weak? How evil are old women? Is the big bad wolf still creeping up behind us? And how can we create a story where characters really live ‘happily ever after’?
Beg, Borrow or Steal 19-23 July Suitable for 12-to-14 year-olds Our challenge is to make a show on no budget – and we need your help to do it.We are looking for creative performers who can revamp trash to make it treasure. Using random objects, music and most importantly ourselves, we will explore the idea of waste as a useful resource and why our society prioritises new things over old. Can you help us find the worth in the worthless?
MAP 5-9 July Suitable for 12-14yrs Glasgow. A city you know like the back of your hand? Exploring a variety of different locations across the city centre; from shop fronts to graveyards, you will help us create new worlds and characters inspired by Glasgow’s untold stories. Using a mixture of installation and performance you will give a contemporary edge to places you never give a second glance and discover more about Glasgow than you could ever imagine.
Project DIY 12-16 July Suitable for 15-to-17 year-olds Following the success of last years Project DIY, the Academy’s intensive scriptwriting course is back for you to enjoy.This course is a great opportunity for you to challenge and stretch your script-writing skills and learn about character building, performance, staging and storytelling techniques. Over the week you will work in small groups with expert facilitation from a professional writer and director who will guide you through the creation, development and presentation of your writing through to performance.
To find out more about the Summer School or book on to one or more of these courses, contact us at dramaworks@rsamd.ac.uk . or call us on 0141 270 8213
Media Enquiries to k.bell@rsamd.ac.uk or 0141 270 8387
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Contact: Katie Bell
Phone: 0141 270 8387
Email: k.bell@rsamd.ac.uk
Website: http://www.rsamd.ac.uk
