Charlotte White
(Singing Teacher)
The
school gives young people, age 7 to 21, the chance to train in Musical theatre,
in a safe and exciting environment.
School
lasts for 3 hours on a Sunday morning and our professional tutors teach dance,
drama and singing. Then we combine the three to create a
"performance"!
Each term we introduce the students to a number of popular Musicals in dance, acting and singing - over the years they will form quite a repertoire!
We
·
ACT 1 – 7 - 10 years (academic
year 3 – 4)*
·
ACT 2 – 11 – 13 years
(academic year 5 – 7)*
·
ACT 3 – 14
– 21 years (academic year 8 – 13)*
They
will work hard, but also have lots of fun!
This
year the students have taken LAMDA examinations and enjoyed a trip to see Billy
Elliott in the West End. Our summer show included extracts from Beauty and the
Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Rent and A Chorus Line.
Our
most accomplished students have recently joined an agency with a view to finding
professional work.
The
next major production will be Footloose
in spring 2010.
Finally,
this is NOT a profit making venture and any money we do make will be invested in
the school or in future Act 4 productions.
If
you need any further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate
to contact us.
Queenswood School,
Shepherds Way,
Brookmans Park,
Hatfield,
Hertfordshire
AL9 6NS
All students learn dance, acting and singing. For the younger age-groups classes are based around games, and children are encouraged to work on music of their choice.
Dance
This includes all styles of dance from the tap of 42nd Street, to the jazz in Chicago and the street-dance in Footloose. Classes not only develop new skills, but help to improve overall fitness.
Acting
Acting
sessions are based on improvisation and general stagecraft. These develop a
variety of acting skills through devising scenes and creating characters.
Students have an opportunity to work on speeches and scenes from Musical shows
of their choice.
Singing
Our
singing classes aim to develop technique and will cover both the popular music
of the moment and stage musicals. All sessions start with vocal warm-ups and
students will work on acting through song.
We
also cover audition technique in all three disciplines
Act4Theatre Stage School enter students for LAMDA’s (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) new Musical Theatre Examinations.
These exams are designed to develop the skills necessary to communicate the dramatic content of musical text over a range of musical styles. Examinations are graded as pass, merit or distinction.
Click here for Act4theatre students LAMDA results
Our teachers are selected for their performing skills, their teaching experience and their enthusiasm and desire to work with children. They inspire the students in all three disciplines.
Charlotte White
(Singing Teacher)
Charlotte graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2001. Since graduating Charlotte has worked for the London Workshop company as an actor / teacher, and as an accomplished pianist, she has composed for Theatre and worked as an accompanist for recitals and exams.
She currently teaches singing for a number of Stage Schools, and has taught in Spain and Turkey.
Charlotte also works as an assessor of performing arts students before they are sent to audition professionally.
Charlotte has recently been working on a production of Oliver, and directing Jungle book and Alice in Wonderland.
Charlotte is delighted to be able to work with a new group of students at Act 4 Theatre.
Helen Spall (Dance/Singing
Teacher)
Helen graduated with a B.A. Honors in Drama and Technical Theatre Studies. Since then she has appeared in many shows including “Maid Marion” in Babes in the Wood and “Salty” in Teechers. Helen has vast experience of teaching dance and choreography. Her credits include choreographer for the C12 Contemporary Dance Company, jazz teacher for Middlesex University and Choreographer for ‘In To The Woods’, ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘The Wiz’. She has appeared professionally as a dancer in London and as cabaret soloist. Helen teaches all styles of dance, including advanced jazz and tap.
Helen is Artistic Director and Choreographer for “Caburlesque” (a London based cabaret group) and stage manager at Piccadilly’s Comedy Store.
Helen brings a wealth of skills to Act 4 as she is also skilled in lighting design, costume design/production, teaching singing and is a scenic artist!
Andrea
Pollington (Dance
and Drama
Teacher)
Andrea trained
at 'The Harrison College of Dance and Drama,' where she gained teaching
qualifications in Ballet, Tap, Modern, National and Disco dance. She has
been teaching and choreographing for over 15 years and in that time has
successfully trained and entered numerous students for ISTD exams.
Andrea has worked at several theatre schools including 'Italia Conte' and 'Redroofs,'
where she taught up to Advanced Tap, Jazz and Musical Production.
She has also performed professionally as a singer and a dancer both in England
and overseas.
Andrea is delighted to be a part of Act 4 Theatre and is enjoying working with
such an enthuastic team.
Ellen
Mills (Dance
and Drama
Teacher)
Ellen graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in Drama and Contemporary Dance and has since continued to work professionally as an actor, director and drama / dance specialist in education. She has worked for most National Theatres with Britains No.1 Children's Theatre producer, Birmingham Stage Company on such productions as George's Marvellous Medicine, Jungle Book, Kensuke's Kingdom and Horrible Histories and has directed youth productions for Newcastle Theatre Royal and other regional theatres, as well as lecturing in BTEC performing arts. She has taught LAMDA and recreational Drama for over fifteen years, in England and abroad, and really enjoys working with young people of all ages and backgrounds and producing quality shows for and with young people.
Master Class Tutor - Joanna Riding
Joanna trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Her roles include Julie Jordan in Carousel (Royal National Theatre) for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a musical, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (R.N.T) and Jane Smart in Witches of Eastwick (Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Prince of Wales); for both roles she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a musical, and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) for which she won her second Olivier Award.
Joanna has also played Maggie in Hobson's Choice (Manchester Royal Exchange) receiving a nomination for Best Actress in the Manchester Evening Standard Awards, Miss Gossage in Happiest Days of Our Lives and Ruth in Blithe Spirit (Bath Theatre Royal and London's Savoy Theatre) for which she gained a nomination for Best Actress in the What's On Stage Awards.
Her TV credits include Casualty, Midsomer Murders, The Brian Conley Show, Seans Show, Strike Command, HeartBeat, Where The Heart Is and Holby City.
Joanna runs Master Classes for our students.
The classes rotate to cover all three disciplines each week, with a maximum of 15 students in each session
9.40 Arrive at School
9.45 Registration
9.50 First Class (Acting, Singing or Dancing)
10.45 Second Class (Acting, Singing or Dancing)
11.35 Break
11.50 Third Class (Acting, Singing or Dancing)
12.45 Students to be collected
Autumn
Term 2010
Starts Sunday 12th September
Spring
Term 2011
Dates to be confirmed
Summer
Term 2011
Dates to be confirmed
The Show Term
The term is focused on understanding a show and how the text and score are translated into performance
During the Spring Term the school will continue to develop skills in all disciplines, but will focus on 2 specific Musical Shows – of differing styles. The students will work on performing numbers and scenes from these shows, with each child having a chance to perform solo lines, a dance or a song – of all three if they so wish!
During this term we will give the students the opportunity to see these shows performed, to visit backstage and to talk to the cast/Director.
The last Sunday of the term parents can attend class to see the results.
The Awards Term.
The term is focused on acquiring performance skills
The students will be encouraged to work towards a LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) exam in Musical Theatre or in Acting. Students will work on their examination pieces in groups or individually.
These exams will allow students the following:
· To be measured against an internationally applied standard
· Make contact with expert assessors from outside of the school
· Receive critical appraisal and receive guidance for the future
· Build confidence and self-esteem
· Acquire a certificate
Should a student not feel ready to take an exam they will not be forced to so, but can just work on theatrical skills – we have our own little development awards for these students so they won’t feel left out on awards day!
On the last Sunday of term certifications will be handed out and we will have a party!
The Presentation Term
The term is focused on performing a group song/dance
The students will be taught musical numbers that will be part of the “Act 4” concert or cabaret, along side the adult performers. This will include group numbers and some solo work.
On the last day of the term the parents are invited to watch a class
Fees
First child in family is £20 per week (3 hours) and subsequent siblings receive a 15% discount
In addition there is a one-off joining fee off £10.
We would like to encourage our students to dress in our colours – black, red and silver.
Please wear soft clothes that can be danced in and soft shoes (jazz shoes)
Logo Merchandise is for sale from the school
The students will be encouraged to attend trips to the theatre. These will then be used to support class work. For local productions the students will have an opportunity to go backstage and talk to the cast.
A number of our Act4Theatre students are signed up with a professional agency. Work so far includes:
H.S.M.
Law and Order
A number of adverts
We will offer children contact with an agency – if they wish to take it.
If you are interested in attend the Stage School please call Sarah on 07894 219 844 or e-mail .