step 2 find out more
Click on a question below to find out more about studioQ2010
WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN studioQ2010?
WHERE DO THE COURSES TAKE PLACE AND WHERE DO I GO WHEN I ARRIVE?
WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE TAKE THESE COURSES AND WHAT DO THEY THINK?
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN studioQ2010?
We believe that the best way to learn skills in theatre is to do what real actors and directors do everyday – so instead of just playing drama games, you’ll be considered a ‘trainee actor’ preparing for real performances, led by a tutor who is actively involved in the theatre industry.
At the end of each semester you will have the opportunity to be part of our Showcase Performance in the Q Theatre, which is open to the General Public.
Each semester is loosely structured in the following way, based on the methods used by actors and directors when they are creating new work:
| INCUBATION | Exploring Ideas, Improvisation, Voice and Movement Skills, Scripted and Unscripted Work |
| DEVELOPMENT |
Moulding Ideas into Character, Narrative and Theatrical Style, Shaping and Scripting Performance |
| PRODUCTION |
The Rehearsal Process including Technical, Design and Performance Aspects |
Each semester is designed to build on the learning of the previous semesters, so participants will be continually introduced to new skills, theatrical styles and performance approaches.
WHO ARE THE TUTORS?
We have a team of great tutors for studioQ2010, and they will be joined through the year by actors and directors from leading Australian performing arts companies. Once we know how many groups are doing studioQ2010 we will be able to let you know which of the tutors below you will have:
| Stephen Hodge | A freelance film and stage performer whose recent credits include Short+Sweet (Newtown Theatre), Crash and Burn (AFTRS), and Footy Legends (Suitcase Films). Stephen has an Adv. Dip. of Dramatic Art from the Aust. Academy of Dramatic Art. |
| Naree Shields | A street & circus theatre performer, Naree practices clown doctoring at children’s hospitals + devising and performing her own clown/storytelling shows. Naree has also worked with Ruby Bloomer’s Women’s Circus and Circo Blurto Youth Circus. |
| Brent Thorpe | A graduate of the Actors Centre (acting), NIDA (writing), and UNSW (hon. performance studies), Brent’s credits include The Rocks Ghost Tours (author & director), The Fabulous Punch and Judy Show (Sydney Mardi Gras, 2009 and Old Fitz, 2010), and Sydney Comedy Festival. |
| YOUTH COURSES (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced) – Saturday mornings 9.30am-12.30pm | |
| Semester 1 | February 13, 20 & 27; March 6, 13, 20 & 27; April 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26 |
| Semester 2 | July 31, August 7, 14, 21 & 28; September 4, 11 & 18; October 16, 23 & 30; November 6, 13, 20 & 27; Dec 4 & 11 |
| q youth company – Wednesday evenings 6.30pm-9.30pm | |
| Semester 1 | February 17 & 24; March 3, 10, 17 & 24; April 21 & 28; May 5, 12, 19 & 26; June 2, 9, 16 & 23 |
| Semester 2 | July 28, August 4, 11, 18 & 25; September 1, 8 & 15; October 13, 20 & 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; Dec 8 |
| ADULTS’ COURSES – Tuesday evenings 6.30pm-9.30pm | |
| Semester 1 | February 16 & 23; March 2, 9, 16 & 23; April 20 & 27; May 4, 11, 18 & 25; June 1, 8, 15 & 22 |
| Semester 2 | July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 30; September 7 & 14; October 12, 19 & 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30; Dec 7 |
| INCLUSIVE WORKSHOPS – Fridays 10am-1pm | |
| (please contact us if you would prefer Tuesdays 10am-1pm instead) | |
| Semester 1 | February 12, 19 & 26; March 5, 12, 19 & 26; April 23 & 30, May 7, 14, 21 & 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25 |
| Semester 2 | July 30, August 6, 13, 20 & 27; September 3, 10 & 17; October 15, 22 & 29; November 5, 12, 19 & 26; Dec 3 & 10 |
The studioQ2010 Performance Showcases will take place at 8pm on Saturday 26 June and Saturday 4 December.
WHERE DO THE COURSES TAKE PLACE AND WHERE DO I GO WHEN I ARRIVE?
All studioQ2010 courses take place in the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street Penrith. Most weeks each group is allocated one of the following spaces – the Q Theatre stage, the Richard Bonynge Concert Hall stage; the Mullins Studio stage; Orchestral Room 1 or Orchestral Room 2.
When arriving for a session please wait at Box Office on the ground floor – your tutor will meet you there and take you to the allocated space.
I WANT TO BE IN THE INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED OR q youth company GROUPS BUT I’M FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE AUDITION?!
Don’t worry! The audition process is especially designed and led by our tutors to get the best out of you - all participants who audition will be able to join one of our courses – the audition helps us to place you in the group that is going to be best for you. Auditioning is a process actors go through on a regular basis – so this will help you to be prepared for what it’s really like.
For Intermediate and Advanced levels the audition starts with a group workshop and then you will perform a monologue up to 2 minutes in length – this can be something you know or have created prior to the audition day, and can be self-written or from an existing text.
For the q youth company the audition consists of a monologue up to 2 minutes in length and an interview – you may also be asked to do improvised performances of your monologue in one or more other ways, so make sure you know it well! The monologue can be self-written or from an existing text.
All you need to do at the moment is indicate on your application form that you wish to be in either the Intermediate, Advanced or q youth company groups and we will contact you to arrange an audition time and give you all the details. No need to stress – just have a go!
WHEN ARE THE AUDITIONS?
Auditions for the Intermediate and Advanced courses take place during the first session on Saturday 13 February from 9.30am-12.30pm. Simply arrive at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Box Office by 9.15am on that day. (You will have already submitted your application form and payment by Friday 5 February).
q youth company auditions will be scheduled individually – each person auditioning will be allocated a 15 minute slot on either Tuesday 9 February or Wednesday 10 February between 5.30pm-9.30pm with the first session for those accepted commencing on Wednesday 17 February from 6.30pm-9.30pm. Just make sure you have your application form and payment to us by Friday 5 February – we will then be in touch with you to arrange the most suitable time for your audition. Please note, if you are unsuccessful in your audition for the q youth company, we will discuss with you the most suitable alternative course for you – should you not wish to do any of the alternatives offered we will refund you what you have already paid minus $30 (to cover the cost of the audition).
WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE TAKE THESE COURSES AND WHAT DO THEY THINK?
Our participants come from all walks of life, and have included students, tradies, white collar workers, and retirees! There are participants of all ages and abilities – some have never acted, while others are on their way to professional acting careers.
Our participants regularly tell us that they love coming to studioQ, because:
- their tutors are real actors and directors, who are eager to help them get what they want out of the course;
- they get to perform in a state-of-the-art theatre in front of a general public audience;
- they gain skills, confidence and experience in a professional theatre environment, and…
- they meet exciting new people, and make great friends.
But perhaps the biggest indicator of their satisfaction is that they love coming back!
Here’s what some of them have said about our courses:
I joined up to explore the idea of becoming an actor. It’s turned out to be a fantastic creative outlet – writing and performing my own stories and bringing texts to life…a great experience.
David, 42, Adult Beginners, 2009
I have become more confident and become a better actor.
Hanna, 12, Youth Beginners, 2009
(our tutor) Brent’s strengths are his experience, attitude, wisdom, imagination, personality, diligence and co-operative way of teaching – Brent’s list of strengths is endless!
Zac, 17, q youth company, 2009
I have taken the knowledge from this course to all aspects of my acting. I also liked the time I spent in the Q Theatre.
Emma, Youth Intermediate, 2008
This year was really good! I’ve learnt new skills and am more confident than ever!
Charlotte, 15, q youth company, 2009
The thing I enjoyed most about the course was the people I met – I’ll remember them as really good friends. studioQ went way past my expectations, IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!
Alec, 14, Youth Intermediate, 2009
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
studioQ2010 costs $500 per semester if you pay the full amount upfront (save $50). You can also opt to pay in 2 instalments of $275 instead – a total cost per semester of $550.
Payment Schedule:
1 x $500 upfront – due Friday 5 February
2 x $275 instalments – due Friday 5 February and Friday 16 April
ALL studioQ2010 participants also get at least 2 free tickets per semester to selected performances at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (that’s at least $100 value over 2 semesters).
(Please note: there will be additional costs for any school holiday rehearsals and performances – details to be advised prior to the commencement of each production phase)
WHEN AND HOW DO I PAY?
You need to make your first payment by Friday 5 February and get your application form in by the same day. You can pay by phone or in person through our Box Office (Credit Cards, Money Orders, EFTPOS, Cash and Cheques accepted). You can also give us permission to automatically deduct instalments from your credit card on the due dates – see the application form for information about how to do this.
CAN I TRY BEFORE I BUY?
We do require at least $275 payment upfront each semester, BUT… should you find after 2 sessions that studioQ2010 is not for you, we will happily organise a partial refund* (*only available to participants who have never previously been enrolled)
WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY BY?
Friday 5 February is the final date we can accept application forms and payment for Semester 1.
PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR OUR WEEKLY COURSES RECEIVED AFTER FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY WON’T BE ACCEPTED – the due date allows us just enough time to organise auditions, groups and tutors prior to the first session commencing in the second week of February 2010.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Contact:
James Fischer
Producer, Education & Audience Development
(02) 4723 7613 / jfischer@jspac.com.au
