Following its first year on the block, Taking Notes returns in 2010 and promises even more bang for your musical buck with a brand new extension option and the best prices around.
Last year’s sell-out week of educational exploration set a precedent in the summer school market, as the first course of its kind dedicated to the contemporary musical theatre sphere.
Imitations have since appeared, but as we all know, the original is always the best. Just look at the Notes from New York series. Imitated by many, but surpassed by few. If we were the sort to boast, we’d actually say none! So this year we raise the stakes once more by offering an optional week long extension for those keen to turn up the heat and delve into more detail as we continue our study of the new and exciting musical theatre writing of today.
Specifically aimed at the performer, Taking Notes is an extra-curricular exploration through the new and exciting musical theatre writing of today. Designed to introduce you to a wealth of material you have yet to discover, whilst helping you to hone your craft, it;s an opportunity to delve deeper into the writing that is the future of musical theatre as we know it.
Guiding you through the week’s sessions will be the original creative team behind the West End’s acclaimed Notes from New York series. Bringing you a fresh, bold and confident perspective, the team will lead classes in song interpretation, solo work, musical staging, choral and audition technique, all of which are essential elements of an increasingly diverse modern musical theatre landscape
Taking Notes concentrates on how to grasp a particular style of contemporary performance, bringing out the reality and immediacy of acting through song. It offers you the opportunity to discover some of the most popular pieces of writing from selected Notes from New York shows, allowing you to work hard on making the songs your own.
This year Taking Notes will reunite the original Notes from New York creative team in the guise of Paul Spicer (Course Director), David Randall (Musical Director), and Julie Atherton (Head of Acting) and also welcomes Patina Miller, star of the smash hit musical Sister Act and also Samuel Barnett (History Boys) who will be taking masterclasses respectively. Also this year we welcome back award winning composer Michael Bruce and prolific theatre director Hannah Chissick as part of our diverse team of experts.
Our students found a wealth of knowledge was at their fingertips and they left the week having discovered brand new audition material, honed their already established performance skills and having had one or two major breakthroughs and the odd epiphany. We broke down walls and discovered new ways through the art of auditioning, on stage technique and the over arching picture of your approach to performance.
Taking Notes will culminate in a semi-staged showcase of material at the end of the week to an invited, industry based audience, including the producers of Notes from New York, their producing partners and associates.
As performers, we never stop learning. Extracting information and absorbing new skills from others is how we eternally stay at the top of our game. Taking Notes is far from your average summer course. It's an exploratory journey of discovery. A new take on how to approach work as an actor. A chance to dissect a way of performing and bringing yourself up to date with an ever-changing industry. It’s about the individual, so that you leave after the week-long course with a completely focused mind and a positive mental attitude to your work. Join us to remind yourself of the love of discovering beautifully written and endlessly inspiring new, contemporary musical theatre writing, which speaks to us all so strongly. It’s the perfect tonic to remind yourself of the love of discovering beautifully written and endlessly inspiring new, contemporary musical theatre writing.
Due to unprecedented demand from the youth of today, Taking Notes will this year open it's doors to students aged 16 and above, embracing the true grass roots of where it is that the first spark of passion and talent truly grows.
Taking Notes is open to performers aged 16 and over, whether you are a professional actor or currently attending a full time course. Only 50 spaces are available and enrolment will be administered on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
Participation in Taking Notes costs:
1 Week Only - £250
Both Weeks - £450
In the second week, classes will be split, meaning that the one week option is available in both weeks. Just select your preferred week on the application form. The two week option runs as per the one week course in the first week and as an extension option in week two.
Matthew Gibbins:
“Taking Notes gave me the inspiration to make my move to London and pursue performing when I was ready to give it up. It reawakened my love for musical theatre, and I’ll forever be grateful.”
Victoria Allen-Martin:
“Taking Notes is the best thing I did last year! A chance to get to know talented, like-minded individuals who shared my passion for contemporary musical theatre. Taking Notes isn't like any other course out there; it is focused and thorough and gives everyone a chance to shine. The Taking Notes faculty (including visiting professionals) were passionate, committed, encouraging, honest and above all a really good laugh - they shared their knowledge and experience with us in a completely non-patronising way, and were truly inspirational. I made friends for life during that one week and have since gone on to work with some of them on our own productions. The course inspired me to be better and to work harder - it was a turning point for me, and I’d recommend it to anybody. It will remind you why you follow this path and why you love contemporary musical theatre so much. I wish it was a three year course. One of its points of difference is that it's not about moulding you into an ideal. It's about bringing out the best in you.”
Jennifer Coyle:
“I thought the course was excellent. You wouldn't find this anywhere else and it's such a unique and original idea. A brilliant experience working with brilliant people. It opened my eyes to contemporary musical theatre and has made me even more passionate and dedicated. I'll hopefully be moving to London in September, which I probably wouldn't have had the courage to do before Taking Notes. I met some really good friends there who I'll never forget either. An amazing course.”
In order to participate in Taking Notes, download an application form.
Once completed, forms should be returned by 9th July at the latest with the full course fee to:
Speckulation Entertainment Ltd
Egmont House
25-31 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9SF
Or e-mail your application form and pay by Paypal using the button below.
If you have any questions about Taking Notes, then please e-mail us at takingnotes@speckulationentertainment.com . |
