March 2010

We’ve just come to the end of our spring term which we so enjoyed despite the arctic conditions! We reckon the daffodils in our garden should definitely be up by August.

Great news for all you followers of fashion. We are unveiling our new collection of dramalab t-shirts and hoodies at the start of our summer term. No excuses for not looking cool from now on.

Well done to Jessica Ross Hicken for her lovely portrayal of ‘Daisy’ in ‘Daisy Pulls it Off’ last term at Newstead Wood School for Girls. Also well done to those members of dramalab who supported Jess in that production.

Rebekah Lucking also shone in the outstanding production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Hayes School. Truly inspiring stuff.

More congratulations go to Chloe Walshe who has an unconditional offer to study drama at Exeter University. However, a few drama schools are also interested in her, quite rightly so. Well done to her. She has a bright future ahead.

The feeling at dramalab is really up-beat. The workshops have been quite challenging recently, but all our members have been really ‘up for it!’

Our aim has always been to provide a truly creative atmosphere in which our students can flourish and develop as actors and actresses. This, and more, is being achieved. Our members have stayed with us term after term and made great friendships within the workshops. Being in such creative company is worth its weight in gold.

A few of our ex members have taken their acting on into ‘the business’ and are working professionally. Others have gone on to excel in other fields. They all agree that attending drama workshops made their journey into the big wide world a whole lot easier. We’ll drink to that!

Happy New Year to Everyone

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We are so sorry to our dramalabbers at Newstead Wood who have had their first two workshops cancelled due to the school being shut because of the winter wonderland.

Theatre 62 workshops went ahead as usual and the vast majority of you managed to fight through the snow and get there on time! It was a great example of ‘the show must go on’ and thanks to all of you and your parents for braving the elements and making the effort to come.

As usual, this term we will provide an eclectic mix of drama workshops which we hope will prove to be challenging and unpredictable. We shall continue to offer advice in various acting techniques and look forward to your imaginative input and emotional energy. It is what you as actors bring to the rehearsal rooms that really get things going in terms of excitement and improvement. Having a good laugh in between times is always high on our agenda as well . . .

Thank you to all those who attended our specialist adult workshops last term, we so enjoyed your creative energies and great company. We are currently discussing possibilities for a summer weekend of adult drama at Theatre 62, details to follow.

Oh, and with a bit of luck and a fair wind we should be able to offer dramalab T-shirts and sweatshirts this term. This is in response to the many requests we have had from members and ex-members alike.

We have also had requests for a reunion of ex-members which would be great fun.

Let’s just get this term up and running first, then see what we might be able to do.

We are so looking forward to all the workshops with you this term, and hope that you are too. Remember – test yourself . . .

Love

R&J

Hi to everyone

A huge welcome back to all of our members this September term. We’re really looking forward to seeing you again and feel excited about meeting our new dramalabbers as well.
This will be our first term at the Newstead Wood School for Girls’ drama studio. We have known Newsteads’ head of drama for some time and seen some excellent work – so we know that there is a great appetite for acting there.
Congratulations to all our actors and actresses who appeared in our shows at the end of last term. We received some excellent feedback from our audiences at Theatre 62, West Wickham. Well done to Grace Cannell who was cast as Edith in Theatre 62’s next production of Blythe Spirit. The theatre is very keen to give our members the chance to audition for future productions and we shall keep you all informed of any opportunities that come up.

ADULT WORKSHOPS.
We like to keep new ideas coming, so this month sees the start of selected drama workshops for adults. This is largely aimed at keen amateur actors and actresses living in the Borough. Like any athlete, it is a good idea to keep in training to be in good shape for any oncoming productions. The atmosphere for these workshops will be fun, informal and undaunting.

September 4th. THEATRE GAMES –
an eclectic mix of theatre games to broaden your imagination and sharpen your senses

September 25th. BUILDING A CHARACTER –
helping you to step into the shoes of any part you may be given

October 16th. IMAGINATION WORKSHOP –
explore the boundaries of your thinking in acting

October 23rd. INSTANT SHAKESPEARE –
don’t be daunted by the Bard. Helping you get comfortable with Shakespeare’s language

October 30th. DIRECTING & BEING DIRECTED –
helping you make choices as a director and as an actor

November 20th. FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE – finding ways of making a script come alive

November 27th. VOICE AND THE ACTOR –
how to tune up and use your voice for the stage

All are welcome to attend as many workshops as they choose.

7-10 YEAR OLDS
The energy and imagination from you all was spectacular last term. This term we promise to give you lots of new challenges individually and as a group. There is a great mix of personalities in this group and the fun just keeps on coming!

11-18 YEAR OLDS
Those of you who already attend will know that each and every one of our workshops are different. We never tell our members in advance about the subject or content of our sessions. This keeps an air of expectancy before we start and keeps everyone on their toes!

Members may expect script work, theatre games, improvisation, group work, stage fighting, themed workshops (Halloween being a big favourite), audition techniques, dramatising relevant issues and more.
New and original workshops are constantly being designed in order to strengthen our members’ techniques and stretch them imaginatively. New members are guaranteed a warm welcome and lots of fun. The best work from all actors comes when they are having a good time.
Dramalab provides a safe, encouraging and supportive environment for actors to experiment with all aspects of drama. No singing, no dancing – just acting.
Some experiments will fail, others will produce exhilarating, unexpected results. This is a safe haven to expand as a performer by pushing boundaries enabling you to maximise your potential.
Good luck everybody – enjoy the term.
Term starts the week commencing 7th.September.
See you then

Richard & Janice