| ABOUT US AND THE TRAINING WE OFFER
Q. I've haven't acted for x amount of years/I've never acted, but I'd like to give it a go. Do you accept beginners on to your courses?
A. Absolutely. The introductory acting course is designed for those who have never so much as stepped on stage before, or who haven't done so since the school nativity! Equally, if you have quite a lot of relevant experience, the improvers course will help keep your skills topped up, whilst exploring more unfamiliar territories. Either way, all you'll need is plenty of enthusiasm and the committment to turn up puctually and regularly to classes wherever you can. We're not saying it won't be challenging, or that one course will turn you in to a box-office star, but whatever your current level, we aim to make you a better actor.
Q. I'd love to do something like this, but I don't know if I've got the nerve.
A. It goes without saying that we are a small, friendly organisation and you can always contact us if you'd like a bit of old-fashioned reassurance that you can do this! We recognise that starting something completely new can be scary, not to mention the whole issue of meeting and integrating with complete strangers.
Don't worry, we won't ask you to do anything silly, irrelevant or embarassing and we don't cross the line into amateur psycho-analysis! Positive working relationships and equal participation from all students are intrinsically encouraged as part of our training. However, you always have the option to opt out of anything we do in a class if you don't feel comfortable. We keep class sizes to an absolute maximum of 16. And remember, many other people on the course will also be new and feeling a bit awkward.
Q. Hmmm, it's sounds like it might be OK, but I'm just not sure if I'd be any good.
A. We do very much believe in giving feedback - otherwise students would find it much harder to progress. However, we will always address the positive as well as the less successful elements of your work, and you can always contact us before or after any class if there's something particular you'd rather talk about in private.
The thing is, even the best actors need direction and feedback - we're here to make you a more effective and believable performer, we'll be kind and appropriate but we won't pander to you!
Still not sure? Well why not give it a go anyway? Students often find that as well as improving their acting, they gain increased confidence, self awareness and social skills in 'the real world'. Some past students haven't necessarily been that bothered about acting as such, but have learnt plenty of transferable tips and skills useful for presentations, public speaking, interviews and other work based activities.
Q. Do I have to turn up every week for the weekly course/do all of the course?
A. We do understand that you may have other committments that take precedence. However, you'll benefit a lot more from the training if you can attend regularly. Although there may be some 'stand alone' classes, good punctual attendance from students means we can cover more and work on longer projects. If you know in advance of a course when you are not available, please let us know. It means we can plan classes accordingly and we may be able to negotiate a discount on the fee.
Q. So what kind of stuff do you do, is it just games and exercises and 'freely expressing yourself?
A. We may do a couple of warm-up exercises or other exercises that help students practice a new skill or explain a particular point. However, we don't use games and exercises as a way of stretching out the lesson and we're always happy to explain the reason for doing anything. You'll find most of the class is spent on acting tasks both individually and in groups.
Each course is designed to start with the basics such as getting rid of self-consciousness and nerves, owning the space and reaching an audience. As we progress, we address other essentials that help make captivating performances - status, status play and confict, timing and sub-text as an example. We use a variety of texts as well as devising and improvising work. In order that you can put your newly acquired skills into practice, students have the opportunity to show their work in a public setting and we plan at least one public performance a year. | |
