Performers Academy Plus - London
New Earth Academy Plus was launched in 2023 in response to feedback from academy alumni and ESEA communities.
After taking academy courses, many alumni are keen to future pursue their career in theatre but feel there’s a gap between introductory courses and career opportunities, and there are few artist development programmes specifically aimed at BESEAs.
The Academy Plus programme aims to bridge the gap between our entry level courses and professional opportunities by providing further training and engagement opportunities tailored to ESEA artists and creatives to prepare them for the next stage of their careers.
To date New Earth Academy has offered entry level courses in performing, writing, theatre making and technical theatre to over 450 alumni.
Photo: Performers Academy Plus 2024 - Harry Elletson
New Earth Performers Academy Plus is a 2-week intensive course for ESEAs who have some performing/acting experiences already and are looking to move to the next stage of their careers.
Students will train in person with course directors, voice and movement tutors and additional guest workshops, specialist talks and panels. There will also be lunchtime industry talks and the course will finish with a showcase for an invited audience with industry professionals.
Course Dates: Monday 14th to Friday 18th & Monday 21st to Friday 25th July
Course Leader: Broderick Chow
Location: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Experience Level: At least 1 years previous performance experience or actor’s training.
Due to the structure and collaborative nature of the course, full attendance across all days is required.
Deadline: 10am Friday 2nd May
APPLICATION INFO:
Selected applicants will be invited to an in person audition in London on Saturday 24th May at The Central School of Speech and Drama.
We are also asking applicants to the Performers Academy Plus - 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.
Performer Academy Plus FAQS:
What is the difference between New Earth Performer Academy and New Earth Performer Academy Plus?
New Earth Performer Academy (one-week intensive training) is suitable for any East and South East Asians aged 18+ resident in the UK who are interested in developing their skills and engagement in the performing arts and may not have much experience in theatre and/or performing. Previous experience is not necessary. It will be an introduction course to movement, voice, ensemble work, stage combat and more. You can pick up a new hobby, try new things, learn new skills and make new friends and join the academy family!
New Earth Performers Academy Plus (two-week intensive training) is suitable for East and South East Asians who have had some experience in theatre making and/or performing and are looking to move to the next stage of their career.
Can I apply for New Earth Performer Academy Plus if I didn’t attend New Earth Performer Academy?
YES. Please note that New Earth Academy Plus is open to artists and creatives who have had at least 1-2 years training or experience working in the creative industries rather than those who have little or no experience.
Do I need to audition?
YES. Please see ‘Application Info’ section above
Do I need to do a self tape?
YES. Please see ‘Application Info’ section above.
What is the schedule of the Performer Academy Plus course?
Performers Academy Plus is a 2 week long, full time course. Usual hours are 10am -6pm Monday to Friday. There may be social activities or theatre trips on some evenings. Due to the structure and collaborative nature of the course, full attendance across all days is required.
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.
