Summer Courses 2010

PLEASE NOTE: All our Summer Course Fees have been held for 2010!

One of the UK's most innovative acting schools, East 15 has been training actors for nearly 50 years. The School was born from the work of Joan Littlewood's world famous Theatre Workshop and developed by Margaret Bury. It has produced successful actors, producers, directors and theatre technicians from across the world.

East 15 summer courses are aimed at student actors (aged 17 and upwards), teachers and experienced amateurs and professionals who wish to extend their talents and explore new ways of approaching characterisation using the methodology of the School's full-time programmes. Younger people may be interested in attending one of East 15's Youth Theatre Workshops.

University credits are available for all courses.

A good level and understanding of English language is required to fully appreciate and enjoy the course.

Visit the web site for up to date information or contact us to join or priority information list at: e15summercourses@essex.ac.uk

All courses run Monday to Friday 10am to 5.00pm (courses may run over) Planned dates and details of courses for 2010 are as follows.

Loughton Campus

East 15's Loughton Campus, with its Georgian dower house, studios and mediaeval tithe barn (now a professionally equipped 125-seat theatre) in a glorious five-acre campus on the outskirts of London, provides excellent rehearsal and performance facilities, all set amidst the natural beauty of our gardens and lawns. This is an ideal place to study and yet only a short trip from central London.

Introduction to Acting (one week) w/c July 19th. and w/c August 2nd. Fee: £290

This one-week foundation course is for people of ages 17 and upwards who want an introduction to the various techniques of acting, voice and movement training, which are part of the programme at East 15

Introduction to Acting (three weeks) w/c July 19th. Fee: £675

This three-week foundation course is for those who want a more in-depth introduction to the various techniques of acting, voice and movement training, which are part of the programme in professional drama schools. Students will work on themes and explore a variety of ways of approaching text, character-creation, rehearsal and performance.

Acting for International Students (one week) w/c July 19th. Fee: £290

An introductory course, using East 15's traditional acting techniques, but aimed specifically at International students. The week includes exercises to build imagination, inner life and creativity, with an emphasis on acting in the English language, as well as articulation, with a special focus on students whose first language may not be English. English first language students are also very welcome to join the course.

Acting and Performing Shakespeare (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee: £290

This weeklong course, taught by experienced Shakespearean practitioners, offers students the opportunity to speak and understand Shakespeare’s verse and play his characters with confidence and proficiency. Using a mixture of exercises, short-cuts and vocal clues, students will be able to perform with truth, contemporaneousness and proficiency.

African Theatre and Drumming (one week) w/c July26th. Fee: £290

An introduction to the invigorating, enjoyable and life-enhancing techniques of African drumming, dance and song. Our holistic approach, that involves co-ordination, creativity and confidence, it taught by experienced practitioners.

Audition Technique (one week) w/c July 19th, w/c July 26th. and w/c August 2nd. Fee: £290
This one-week course is intended to help students understand the audition process and how to present themselves effectively. Bring speeches and songs and we'll help you to improve them - or we might suggest you to scrap them and give you lots of new ideas!

Introduction to Acting on Camera (one week) w/c July 19th. Fee: £325

This intensive practical one-week course is for those who already have some experience in acting and wish to broaden their skills on camera. Students will have the opportunity to develop existing skills and learn how to adapt them to film and television. The programme will also cover audition techniques, sight-reading, what to expect on set and the opportunity to film short scenes.

Introduction to Technical Theatre (one week) w/c July 19th. Fee: £275

This course introduces students to the numerous skills that are used in the backstage and production elements of creating theatre. Based at East 15's Corbett Theatre, students will lean about design, stage management, costume, props, lighting and sound, all taught by East 15's experienced technical team.

Stage Combat (one week) w/c August 2nd. Fee: £300

Students learn armed and unarmed combat techniques with a professional fight teacher, creating a short choreographed dramatic fight sequence leading to a foundation level examination with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. All weapons provided.

Theatre Directing (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee:£325
This one-week course will explore text, actor-director relationships, planning a production, researching and methods of rehearsal. Practical sessions will examine everything from selecting and approaching the text to working with actors and technicians. You will also have a chance to speak with professional theatre directors about their experiences.

Contemporary Theatre (two week) w/c July 19th. Fee: £495

This challenging two-week course will look at contemporary ideas of acting as applied to contemporary British, American and European play texts. Students will be expected to be able to respond to the emotional and intellectual challenges offered by this course, thus it is not suitable for students without much prior experience.

Southend Campus

East 15's new state-of-the-art Clifftown Studios are close to Southend Central and Southend Victoria railway stations, with journey times to London Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street taking less than one hour. Students can either commute from London or stay in Southend.

Stage Combat (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee:£300

Physical Theatre (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee £290
This intensive five-day course is aimed at students interested in physical theatre or teachers of drama looking for new ways of integrating movement into their classes and rehearsals. Participants will be introduced to a range of techniques, based on the work of Laban, Grotowski, and Lecoq amongst others.

Circus Skills (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee: £290

This intensive five-day course concentrates on aerial techniques and creative application. By the end of the week, students will have experienced and learnt the basics of: cord lisse, trapeze, silks and cocoon. The workshop is for beginners or students with some experience and ideally must be fit and in good health.

Introduction to Acting (one week) w/c July 26th. Fee: £290
This one-week foundation course is for people of ages 17 and upwards who want an introduction to the various techniques of acting, voice and movement training, which are part of the programme at East 15

Booking Details

How to book
Please contact the School for further information and booking forms. The 2010 booking form is also available on-line in PDF format. Click here to access the booking form

You will need Acrobat Reader to view the PDF files (the reader is available for free from the Adobe website).

Note for visually-impaired users: Adobe provide a free online tool which converts PDF files to a format which can be used with screen-reading programs. This is available on the Adobe Accessibility site

Accommodation
East 15 can provide information about off-campus accommodation, including hostels, local hotels, bed and breakfast and host families.

Are you a future E15 student?
Some Summer School students later become full-time students at East 15, having successfully passed an audition for one of our courses the following year. Any Summer School students interested in auditioning for the school should consult their Summer Course tutors for admission procedures.