March Youth Theatre News feature:
A big welcome to all our students, especially those new to the Children’s Performing Company of Australia (CPCA). We are very excited about our plans for 2009!
The Youth Theatre program encourages students to acquire dramatic and personal skills, and gain promotion through a four level class hierarchy. These levels are Youth Theatre Training, Players, Actors Ensemble, and Actors Studio.
We believe this structure nurtures committed and talented students and continues to develop the performance skills of all age groups and levels.
Students are provided with a clear developmental roadmap as each level in the hierarchy has specific criteria for promotion. For example, a student at Training level would be offered a promotion to Players when they have developed strong projection and articulation skills.
This semester, the curriculum and performance material has been designed to reflect the aims of the Youth Theatre; that is, to assist the students in continually improving their dramatic skills so as to reach a high standard of performance.
Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and development, with the curriculum incorporating optional activities and tasks for students to undertake outside their usual rehearsals.
Developing a strong rehearsal routine is essential – rehearsal directors will be encouraging students to explore their dramatic creativity, whilst equipping them with important performance skills in a positive and supportive environment.
Training Groups/Players Groups
The Youth Theatre groups will be working on two different dramatic pieces for their mid-year performance this semester. The ‘chorus piece’ aims to continue advancing students vocal techniques (including projection, articulation and clarity) and introduce dramatic elements such as object transformation and non-naturalism. The ‘scripted piece’, will allow students to begin exploring character development, and for those more experienced students, to continue developing their ability to construct, conceptualise and ‘perform’ character types.
Actors Ensemble
The Actors Ensemble and the Senior Actors Ensemble groups will be focusing on the connection between stagecraft elements, dramatic elements and performance this semester. The Actor’s Ensemble are working on a puppet spectacular, performing the well known Roald Dahl classic, The BFG. The Senior Actors Ensemble groups are working on a new performance piece incorporating musicality and soundscapes - 1001 Nights…The Tale of Scheherazade. The intention is for students to explore new ways to perform a narrative that can enhance a dramatic performance.
To read the full version of our March Youth Theatre News click here.
