Click here for a full report on the 2011 STARS programme

STARS is Next Stage’s Summer School: a series of activities which prepare youngsters for their future training and a career in theatre. For five action-packed days in August, The Mission hosted workshops by local actors, theatre practitioners, singers and dancers, developing stage skills and performance technique.

For more information please call 01225 428600 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Monday 8 August:

Mime and Impro

with Yvonne Paulley & Next Stage actors

Some of the most effective actors on stage can speak volumes without uttering a word, others are brilliant wordsmiths.
In this workshop you will explore:

• mime
• vocal exercises and techniques
• body language
• improvised scenes
• working with masks
• comedy sketches
 

Tuesday 9 August:

Musical Theatre

with Carl Speck

The musical theatre day develops vocal techniques and works towards a showcase piece with lots of opportunities for solos and duets.
In this workshop you will explore:

• warmup exercises
• basic vocal technique
• ensemble work
• singing skills
• musical theatre

Wednesday 10 August:

Stage Combat

with Nicky Wilkins & Next Stage actors

Often theatre calls actors to do more than just talk to each other, and frequently a script will say “they reach for the nearest weapon”. Good stage combat is like magic, the audience want to believe it’s real and as long as you get all the steps right a simple trick can be a great illusion.
In this workshop you will explore:

• how to fight safely
• the various different types of combat – comic, dramatic, armed and magical
• paired work developing a selection of safe moves
• a choreographed fight

Thursday 11 August:

Dance Workshop

with Novato Dance Company

The aim of the day is to provide you with a taster in street dance, Bollywood, lyrical, jazz and contemporary. In this workshop you will explore:

• learning set choreography
• compiling a routine
• improvisation
• choreographing your own moves
• creating an exciting variety dance show

Friday 12 August:

Preparing for Auditions

with Ann Garner & Next Stage actors
Presenting yourself and your role to the public is part of an actor’s day to day life, but sometimes putting your work in front of examiners and Drama School selectors can seem a daunting prospect.
In this workshop you will explore:

• devising a personal warm-up routine
• breathing and projection
• selecting an audition piece
• staging a monologue
• when to move and when to pause
• what to do with your arms!