About Acting Summer School
Working with a theatre industry professional, participants will develop a piece of theatre together, and learn how performances transfer from the rehearsal room to the stage. Each week culminates in a performance on our professional stage at 6pm on Friday*.
Dates: Monday 3 - Friday 7 August
Times: 10am - 4pm (performance 6pm on Friday)
Where: The Theatre, Chipping Norton
*Tickets for Friday evening performances are available from Box Office and can be booked in advance. £8, £6 conc.
"I like going on the stage, but I don't like coming off it."
Jessica, Participant
FAQs
What should my child expect?
Each of our workshops are unique, as our workshop leaders adapt their content to the interests and skills of the participants in the group. However, a general overview of a day may look like this:
9:50am - 10am: Arrival & Registration
10am - 11am: Physical warm up, getting to know each other, plenty of games
11am - 11:15am: Break time; rehydrate and refuel
11:15am - 12:30pm: Getting stuck into a theme or story and starting to generate ideas for a performance
12:30pm - 1pm: Lunch time; rehydrate, refuel, bond with new friends
1pm - 2:30pm: Build on earlier ideas - maybe it is time to create characters, or start writing pieces of script
2:30pm - 2:45pm: Break time; rehydrate
2:45pm - 3:30pm: Planning ahead; it's time to think about next steps for the show; consider lighting and sound
3:30pm - 4pm: Time to wrap up with some more games and a warm down
4pm: Home, Sleep, Repeat!
Our Acting Summer School finishes with an onstage performance to parents/guardians and friends, so while there is plenty of time for fun and games, the participants will be working towards a final piece.
What do I need to bring?
Your child should wear loose, comfortable clothing that they can move around in, and practical footwear such as trainers or plimsols.
Your child should bring a bottle of water, snacks and a cold packed lunch.
Depending on the themes of their final sharing, your child may be asked to bring in some small items for props or costumes. If this is the case, we try to let parents know on the first day, and try to ensure that it will be an everyday item. We do not expect any participants to buy additional items for their performances.
Nothing else is required except energy and an eagerness to get involved!
Who will be looking after my child?
All workshops are run by at least one workshop leader - who will be an industry professional - and are also supported by an assistant.
There is a first-aid trained duty manager present in the building at all times, as well as Take Part Department staff on hand to assist should any issues arise.
All of our workshop leaders hold up-to-date enhanced DBS certificates, and are experienced youth practitioners.
Is lunch provided?
No food is provided by The Theatre. All participants should bring their own packed lunch, and a water bottle to keep them going. We recommend bringing an additional snack due to the length of the day.
Water bottles can be refilled at The Theatre. We are unable to heat any food. Any allergies are taken seriously and we will communicate with participants if any foods are prohibited during the workshop (i.e if a participant has a nut allergy, we may ask that no nut based food is brought into the building).