The Itinerary
Day One
10.00: Meet and Warm Up
There will be a maximum of twelve people at the session, so we’ll spend a short while getting to know each other and playing a few fun theatre games to break the ice, but also to introduce the group to the methods of working.
11.30: Taking The Shakes Out Of Shakespeare
Patrick Wilde will begin to remove your fear of Shakespeare. A short discussion about Shakespeare the man and his theatre is designed not to fill in historical background but debunk the mythology of Shakespeare and get back to the basic fact that he was first and foremost a very pragmatic working writer. This session is designed to remove the main fear actors have when approaching Shakespeare – the language. We will work on non-Shakespearean text at first just to explore the way language works; to rediscover the power of words. We will then apply what we have discovered to Shakespeare. This will include jargon busting and a demystifying of Shakespeare’s language. By the end of this course the aim is not only to reduce your anxiety, but have you longing to do more and more Shakespeare.
13.00: LUNCH
14.00: Speeches
Each participant will present their Shakespeare speech to the group. Patrick will then work with the actor on the speech, incorporating the work done before lunch on voice and language, utilising the other students to help by standing in for other characters, something impossible to reproduce in one-to one classes. This rehearsal time and the memory it will give you and edge when it comes to performing the speech on your own in auditions. Each actor will then be given specific things to think about before re-presenting their speech tomorrow.
17.00: Wind down
Patrick will summarise the day for the group, and then lead a discussion about what has been achieved.
18.00: Finish
Day 2
10.00 : Warm Up
A briefer warm up than yesterday, focusing particularly on the vocal demands of Shakespeare.
10.30: Speeches
Each participant will again present their Shakespeare speech to the group, followed by more detailed direction from Patrick.
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Mock Audition
Each participant will get to be “auditioned” by a panel, including Patrick and two others. A further presentation of the speech will be followed by the type of interview candidates should expect at drama school. By watching each other’s interviews, followed by discussions, candidates will learn invaluable lessons in how to present for interview, and the type of questions you might be asked. It seems remarkable how a simple question like “why do you want to be an actor?” or “who is your favourite writer” will faze would-be drama students.
The interview is the most neglected part of a candidate’s preparation, but if we assume most candidates have acting talent, it is the interview which is going to clinch whether you are offered a place or not. Arguably, it is the most, not the least important part of the whole process. Following this course you will be totally prepared for whatever you may be asked.
16.00: Presentation
A unique opportunity to present the Shakespeare speech you have been working on, together with a modern speech of your choice, to the rest of the group in a fantastic 180-seater auditorium from the stage. This will be your moment to pull together all that you will have learned from the course, and experience the exhilaration of presenting these great monologues in a theatre, further increasing your confidence.
17.30: Final Session
Patrick will give final feedback on your work, and answer any further questions you have. By now you will be feeling not only less nervous about your auditions, but looking forward to them with a new found confidence.
