Performers Academy - London
Photo: Performers Academy 2024 - Harry Elletson
Performers Academy will be a one-week full time training course. No previous experience is needed, just lots of enthusiasm. Students will train in person with a lead course director, voice and movement tutors and local guest workshop leaders.
There will also be online lunchtime industry talks and the course will end with a showcase for an invited audience.
Course Dates: Monday 14th to Friday 18th July
Course Leader: James Cooney
Location: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Experience Level: Beginner - no previous experience required
Due to the structure and collaborative nature of the course, full attendance across all days is required.
Deadline: 10am Friday 2nd May
APPLICATION INFO:
We are asking applicants to the Performers Academy London to submit a self tape following the instructions in the brief below. We are looking for your ability to be creative with text, clarity, energy, and confidence in performance, and to utilise your own stories in the creation of performance for camera.
It is recommended that you film your video in landscape mode, with bright light and a reasonably clean background for the panel to see you well. Please send us a video link (YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive) to your self-tape audition task. We ask that you make sure the link is working before submitting your application and if your video is password protected, please send the password in your application form.
Self Tape Brief : “Gifts”
In this exercise, you are creating a one-to-two-minute performance for camera, drawing on your personal identity, experiences, and cultural background.
First, you need to choose two things:
An object to give as a gift: this should be something that holds personal significance to you.
Someone to give it to. Use your imagination to create a dramatic scenario. This can be a partner, friend, relative, first date, blind date, boss, co-worker, stranger, etc. Be specific and have this “target” in mind while preparing your performance.
Then, you will create a text about giving the gift to the person. This can be a monologue, poem, or story. The performance should have spoken language in some way.
In the self-tape, you should first introduce yourself, tell us why you are applying for New Earth Academy or Academy Plus, and briefly introduce the theme of your performance. This introduction should be no more than one minute.
Perform your text to camera. How you do this is entirely up to you. You can speak to an invisible person outside of the camera frame, you can incorporate movement, you can address the camera directly, and you can physically utilise the object if you like. You are encouraged to create your own world within the scene.
Assessment Criteria:
Ability to draw on self and imagination to create a performance
Understanding of dramatic action in a scene (i.e. how will this person respond to the gift and how does this impact your actions?)
Ability to perform text with clarity, energy, focus, and confidence
Evidence of thinking and acting moment-to-moment in the text, not reciting or rushing through.
Performers Academy FAQS:
Do I need to attend an in-person audition?
NO. There is no in- person audition required for this course.
Do I need to do a self tape?
YES. Please see the brief “Gifts” above.
What is the difference between Performers Academy and Performers Academy Plus?
Performers Academy is a one week training course suitable for any East and South East Asians aged 18+ living in the U.K. who have an interest in theatre and/or performing arts. You don’t need any previous experience to take part. This is an introduction to acting including movement, voice ensemble work, stage combat and more. You can try new things, learn new skills, make new friends and join the academy family!
Performers Academy Plus is a two week intensive training course for East and South East Asians aged 18+ living in the U.K. who have some previous experience and/or training in performing arts and/or theatre making and are looking to progress to the next stage of their career.
How much do I need to pay to attend New Earth Academy and New Earth Academy Plus?
NOTHING - it’s completely free. We aim to keep all our New Earth Academy and New Earth Academy Plus free at the point of access to reduce financial barriers for participants.
We also offer travel bursary places for participants in need of financial support. If you'd like to apply for the travel bursary, please tell us why in your application and the amount you'd like to apply for.
What is the schedule of Performer Academy courses?
Performers Academies are week long, full time courses. Usual hours are 10am -6pm Monday to Friday. There may be social activities or theatre trips on some evenings. Course content varies depending on which academy course you’re applying for and the course leader who leads the programme.
Due to the structure and collaborative nature of the course, full attendance across all days is required.
