Midsummer Conservatory Program for High School Students!
Location
England: Oxford
Description
BADA's three week-long summer conservatory program based at Oxford University for 16-18 year old students, studying and acting Shakespeare.
The Midsummer Conservatory Program (MCP) is designed for serious sixteen to eighteen year old students of theatre and concentrates on three approaches to acting Shakespeare: text-based preparation, characterisation and movement.
The program's principal objective is to assist students in developing their skills as classical Shakespearean actors so that they are better able to meet the challenges of college, conservatory or drama school.
Highlights
* Classes
Classes are held on weekdays from nine to six, and Saturday mornings until one. Each week, Thursdays are dedicated to excursions relevant to the course content.
Acting Shakespeare: The Text A practical acting class working with two of the Tragedies with particular attention given to verse speaking and the challenges and possibilities within iambic pentameter.
Acting Shakespeare: Finding the Character Working with one of the Histories and a late Romance, students are introduced to the first principles of characterisation within Shakespearean production.
Dramatic Criticism: Each week students see professional productions of Shakespeare in London, Oxford or Stratford. This class is designed to sharpen students' critical skills by discussing the success or failure of what they have seen in performance.
Movement: This practical class is built around general movement exercises, all of which involve muscular co-ordination and control.
Voice: Carefully structured class exercises are combined with guided vocal discovery to add strength, creativity and emotional range to the students' national voice.
Tutorials: There are two non-elective tutorials with the Dean during the program.
* Facilities
The Midsummer Conservatory Program are based in Wadham College in the heart of Oxford.
* Faculty
The Midsummer Conservatory Program's faculty features distinguished artists from British theatre.
* Events
BADA organises several events and excursions unique to the Midsummer Conservatory Program throughout the three week program.
Theatre Trips: The program includes visits to the London theatre, to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the work of the Royal Shakespeare Company and to shows in colleges and other unique locations around Oxford.
Masterclasses: Each week actors, directors or academics with direct professional experience of Shakespeare productions share their knowledge with students on the program.
Entertainment Evening: Each summer, a BADA Entertainment Evening is held. Acts may include songs, piano pieces, juggling and magic or comedy acts.
Open Day: At the end of the program on the final Saturday there will be an Open Day at which students will perform some of their work in progress. Students' family members and friends are welcome to attend.
* Applications & Fees
Applications for BADA's Midsummer Conservatory Program are audition-based. See website for fees.