NODA Theatre Summer School 2024 - Evening Classes

Evening sessions on Monday and Wednesday are volunteered and hosted by our tutors to allow students a taster of something a little different, mix with students from other courses and have fun. Each will last a maximum of 90 mins and have a slightly less formal feel than daytime classes.

We hope you enjoy the selections for 2024

Attendance at our Monday and Wednesday sessions is optional.

Please sign up for your first and second choices. We will aim to make sure that you get your first choice on at least one of the nights, where possible but numbers are often tight on some courses so bear this in mind (spaces are NOT allocated on a first come first served basis).  Please make your selection before Midday on Sunday 4th August 2024.

To register your selection, please 

• Log in to the NODA website

• Go to the Evening Classes Page on the NODA Theatre Summer School website. 

• Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see a section Your Activities.  (If you do not see this, you’re not logged in, or aren't on the account that your course place is registered with!)

• Use the Drop Down boxes to select your first and second options 

• Click on "Save Choices"

• If you change your mind, you can return to this page and update your option. Please remember to do this before Midday on Sunday 4th August 2024 as we can't guarantee to see the changes you make after this.

Alternatively, ask for help in the NODA Theatre Summer School Hub

For other Evening Activities see the latest information in the NODA Theatre Summer School Hub

Monday Evening Classes

• -Please select your first and second choice
  
• A Practical introduction to half-masks
  with Jonny Dixon - A fun, practical session exploring how half-masks can help you create strong characters, encourage spontaneity & playfulness and work better as an ensemble. Come ready to play!
• An Introduction to Stage Set Design
  with Alex Marker - A valuable insight into the designer’s role on a production.
• Creating Characters
  with Sarah Osborne - At the heart of every excellent performance are engaging characters the audience believe in and care about. Regardless of whether you’re playing the title role or you are in the chorus the more three dimensional the character the more memorable your performance will be. This practical, interactive workshop will provide performers with a toolbox of techniques to add depth and truth to their characterization. Suitable for both beginners and more experienced performers.
• Everybody Dance Now!
  with Lynne Bustard - If you’ve always wanted to dance but never had the confidence, come and try this fun filled session. You know you want to!!!
• Play with a play
  with Eva Sampson and Pam Rudge - Music for a play. Sing and play. Music in a play. Come play with us to create a play together with songs and music, in just two hours! Bring your speaking voice, singing voice (and musical instrument, if you like!) for an evening of fun, play and great storytelling.
• Playwright’s toolkit
  with Hayley Greggs - Learn about the fundamentals of playwriting including creating characters, developing dramatic structure and finding moments of theatricality.
• Rethink. Reframe. Revitalise.
  with Jordan Langford and Jack Bennett - Explore new possibilities for staging musicals, both classic and contemporary, within licensing limits. Delve into the practice of cohesive decision-making across every production element – from costume and set design to choreography and lighting – to ensure that your show embodies a fresh thematic vision rooted firmly in the text and score. By understanding what the original writers and composers intended, your society can present a more authentic and engaging theatrical experience. We’ll address the pitfalls of imposing superficial concepts onto productions, choosing instead to elevate them organically from the source material. We’ll also discuss the relationship between what an audience hears and sees: are full orchestral backing tracks suitable for a seven-hander West Side Story in a 90-seat venue, or are there better options? This practical hands-on session aims to inspire you and your society to offer something uniquely appealing rather than a lesser imitation of the latest West End revival. Whether you’re envisioning Little Shop of Horrors as a comic book come to life or aiming to centre your Mikado around the romantic subplot, this class will equip you with the creative tools to ensure your productions are compelling and engaging for your audiences, regardless of budget or venue size
• Two’s Company
  with Tri Cummings - An evening of fun delving into the world of acting in a duologue. A page to stage workshop on listening and communication, exploring eye contact, status, tactics and actioning. Will suit all levels of acting experience with a sense of fun and a safe environment to try out some new techniques

Wednesday Evening Classes

• -Please select your first and second choice
  
• Audition prep, delivery and execution
  with Chris Tomlinson - Whether it’s preparing for drama school, auditioning for your society or trying to land that part with a new company.
• Dance Audition Preparation
  with Lynsey Brown - A mock dance audition setting where we will cover all that will be required, from what to wear, to make up application, to how to enter the room, for the details to listen out for and importantly how to process the rejection along with the wins.
• Ensemble Singing
  with Marjory Watson and Sarah de Tute - Singing is good for the soul so come and sing some great ensemble numbers and experience the joy of singing together.
• Making it up as you go along
  with Sarah Osborne - Improvisation is a must have skill for performers as it allows you to be inventive, creative and in the moment in both rehearsals and performances. This fun, energetic and fast paced workshop will unlock spontaneity, build confidence and inspire you to be brave enough to think on your feet. Suitable for all levels of experience – expect a fair amount of ridiculousness!
• One Big Dance
  with Grace Goulding - In 2020 Grace Goulding set up One Big Dance, an international Lockdown Arts Project based on community and togetherness, a space for fun and friendship for those feeling isolated and alone. This session will take inspiration from Grace’s signature playful style encouraging accidental chorus, ensemble and instinctive devising. This is organised chaos, play and finding alternative ‘ways in’ to creating physical storytelling and clowning. A chance to let your hair down and release the wild
• Set and Costume Design (on a Budget!)
  with Lu Herbert - A presentation that illuminates how to source costume sustainably and at a low cost, things to look out for, ways to elevate costumes and repurposing unexpected items to use for costumes. It will also look at how to find furniture and set pieces online, designing sets with the purpose of re-using the base structure for future productions. Finally it will focus on prop making using items you can find around your house, thinking outside the box and how to create different unique props. This will be followed by a Q&A where students can ask more show specific questions, or glean advice about set and costume design
• Special Effects Make Up
  with Paul Herrington - An evening learning about special effect techniques with makeup and products. The session will include creating stage wounds, ageing and cuts and bruises.
• Voice into Text
  with Anna McSweeney - Participants will be guided through a comprehensive voice warm-up and into a fun, practical exploration of Shakespeare’s language. The session will furnish students with a toolkit of voice exercises and text work strategies from the rehearsal room. Participants should wear comfortable clothes they can move in.