Senior Stage School
Tutors:
Steve Hartland
Sarah Nally
Ellie Anne Smith
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Classes in Musical theatre, drama, dance and street performance.
Drama at a senior level focuses on different dramatic techniques that are then showcased in the end of term/year performances. Each week (or few weeks for a longer project,) young people are introduced to a new aspect of dramatic performance. Mime, improvisation, and comedic acting, just to name a few, are all introduced, and these skills are honed each week. Characterisation is enhanced by using accents, emotions, and physical movements. Dramatic writing, like monologues, duologues, and open scenes, are also a significant part of drama at senior level. Creating imaginative stories and ideas and writing a scene from them, ties it all together. As with the other age groups, self-esteem, confidence, teamwork, and language skills are all hugely benefitted by the discipline of drama. Musical theatre and Speech and Drama/Acting/Creative Performance exams are also an option for young people. Other units such as acting for the camera, voiceover work, stage management and design – lighting, set, costume and makeup are also explored throughout the stage school year.
Musical theatre focuses on performing a song with pure emotion and expression, importance of lyrics and storytelling in a song, connecting to the lyrics in a deeper and personal level. Singing with correct technique involving correct breathing, good posture, warms up that involve scales and arpeggios that focus on flexibility, tone, range extension and smooth transitioning between the singing registers. Using a variety of stimuli participants are given the skills to create their own songs, exploring components of music and genre. Great fun and a wonderful opportunity to develop music literacy skills as well as imagination.
Dance at Senior Stage School focuses on Hip-Hop technique and commercial based choreography and technique. This includes Hip-Hop foundations and basics, challenging young people' pick-up rate and performance skills with different commercial choreography each week whilst still focusing on technique throughout. One of the main goals for our young people is to come away after having a fun class whilst also challenging themselves through dance.
Saturdays 2:30pm - 4:30pm (post primary: 1st, 2nd and 3rd yr)
Testimonies
‘Over the last few years, she has come out of her shell so much more and has made some incredible friends in the Arts Centre. They are together every week and she is her real self in there. We really do appreciate all the hard work and time that you and all your team there put in.’
‘You must be so proud! A fantastic night. Thanks to you and all the tutors for all the hard work.’
