Wednesday 25 June 2014

Rosie's View!

What a brilliant day at Stage2!
This previous Saturday (21st June) was such a fantastic day in the company.  I’m Rosie Nisbet, aged 17 years old and one of Stage2’s Trainee Tutors and wanted to share with you guys what a great day I had.
First of all, we had a very productive Morning Meeting with all the Trainee Tutors and staff to make sure we were clear on what was happening that day (as usual), then went through the Marketplace and did Admin as we do every week.
We had a really positive General Drama session in the morning, looking at the idea of Flexibility.  Being one of the General Drama assistants this term, this was one of my favourite weeks to help run as there were a lot of skills I was confident in and the group as a whole produced some fantastic work which will definitely be going into The Sharings on 12th July.  We developed the work started on 14th June on Spontaneous Reactions, getting the group to react in a variety of different ways to an old LAMDA piece I did with Stage2 for my Grade 6 Exam – this was lots of fun for the group, very useful as a lesson in how to react logically and with variety to a scene playing out in front of you.  It was also great fun for me to be able to do that scene again and helped develop my performance skills as I had to respond and adapt to what they were doing around me.  We also developed the mask work done in previous weeks, using Stage2’s trestle masks – this was great to see.  Each group got 2 contrasting masks and had to devise a small scene using them.  Everyone in the group had to be involved, whether wearing the masks or not.  This alone created lots of variety, with some others in the group playing inanimate objects and others playing different characters in the scene.  We then did more work to devising with music as the group responded very well to a similar task at the start of term.  We got them into 4 large groups of around 10 then played them a 30 second snippet of a very frantic instrumental.  They first of all listened to the track once with their eyes shut, then had 5 or 6 replays of the track to devise and improvise something that reflected the music and went well with it, then we showed back each group one by one.  Some groups did very naturalistic scenarios and some did more abstract pieces.  The same process was repeated for a 30 second snippet of a calm, slow instrumental.  For this one, all the groups went with quite a naturalistic feel and the groups almost put a story together of all the different stages of someone’s life and death, just in a non-chronological order.  All the weeks in General Drama have been great, but this week saw the group produce some really nice work.
After a lunch break, I went into The Teens’ Speech – Stage2’s skills workshop for this term.  We have been working on polished performances of Kate Tempest’s The Teens’ Speech (the world premiere performance of it, to be precise) as well as for two of our own member’s pieces that were written in the Playwrighting and Poetry Skills Workshop from last term – Tia Forbes’ spoken word piece and Jonni Dowsett’s poem Cruise Control.  On Saturday, we blocked the final section of The Teens’ Speech – it was once again a great rehearsal process.  The group work extremely well together and Liz has been amazing at directing us and creating a fantastic piece.  I’m really really excited for people to see this piece – the writing is so honest and such a true representation of the younger generation.  After that, we blocked the second third of Jonni’s piece Cruise Control.  Mark James, one of the workshop assistants is directing this piece and it’s been great to be a part of his directorial debut and I’m really proud of him as my friend for doing such a great job.  I can’t wait for everyone to see all these pieces in The Sharings.
In the evening at Stage2, we had The Questions and Queries Session and Photosale for last term’s production of Why is John Lennon Wearing a Skirt?.  The Questions and Queries is always a great way for members and parents to find out literally anything they want to about Stage2 and look over past portfolios of shows.  The Photo Sale is always great but I particularly enjoyed this one as WIJLWAS was my favourite production I’ve been in so far and I’m really proud of the show and my performance in it so it was actually quite emotional looking at the photos because they provided such great memories.  I can’t wait for my photo order and CD (of the band that played in the show) to arrive so it can go in my ever growing and very diverse portfolio that I’ve built up in my 5 years at Stage2.
After this, there was a Question and Answer session with Jess Soutwood, ex-member who has gone on to run training conference events for businesses.  She did the most amazing and useful session on how to use all the skills we have learnt in Stage2 and apply them to the world of business.  It was an incredible session and it taught us all so much.  Even though I want to be an actor, it gave me loads of useful hints and tips for how to get similar work for periods when I’m not working as an actor.  It also taught me lots about the qualities people want in an employee and what to write on my CV.  It was just an hour, but it’s made me very excited for the Offstage Option starting in the Autumn Term as part of the relaunch – I can’t wait to learn more about Arts in Business!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my little snippet as to what happened on Saturday 21st June!
Rosie Nisbet J


Wednesday 18 June 2014

Keeping you up to date with all things Stage2


Welcome to your June Update

Summer term is well underway and we are all looking forward toSwallows and Amazons and our 2014 Summer Schools.

Swallows and Amazons

(see above for dates and ticket information)
Remember that if you buy direct from Stage2 you avoid a booking fee!
We are rapidly approaching this show and with just over a month to go please make sure you get all your tickets as soon as you can. Please also help us spread the word city-wide about this wonderful show for the whole family! If you need any resources to help you market this show please email info@stage2.org or call/text 07961 018841
Swallows and Amazons, is a beautiful story packed to the brim with a huge range of theatrical elements such as atmospheric music, engaging characters and fantastical adventure. Stage2 will use our creative ensemble of actors to bring both authenticity and fresh techniques to this wonderful piece of literature, creating a vast array of imaginative visuals for the audience, the chorus will become a part of the water and help guide the boats on their journeys, and teach Roger to swim through its ripples. There’s also pirates, puppets and much much more! It is easy to see why this book is loved by generations of adults and children alike, and the production’s style will show a brand new side to this well-known classic.
Everyone getting into the spirit of the play at our
Amazons Adventure Mentorvent!
CALLING ALL WORKING PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
We want to give you and your colleagues a fantastic opportunity to send your kids to a professional, affordable, engaging, exciting, educational and FUN Summer School! We know that finding things for your kids to do every holiday is a challenge and we want to help!
We are offering 3 very different Summer Schools over 2 weeks catering for everyone!

Week 1 - Mon 18 - Fri 22 August

Taster Week

For those who want to try out Stage2, those who can’t commit to a whole week or those who just want something different! Each day focuses on a different area...

Monday: Movement 

Tuesday: Puppetry and Masks

Wednesday: Voice 

Thursday: Offstage 

Friday: Musical Theatre 

Do single days for £25 each or do the whole week for £100 (and get one day free)!


Week 2 - Mon-25 - Fri 29 August

Acting Week

For anyone, any age and any level of experience – we just ask that you bring energy and enthusiasm. Work as a team to devise a piece of theatre to be performed to parents, friends and The Hamlet Group on Friday evening (5.30-6pm). Starting with ‘getting to know each other games’ and trust exercises, we will move through the use of different stimuli, brainstorming ideas, how to construct a piece, create an outline, develop scenes, run-throughs with notes and detailed polishing. 

Hamlet Pretext

For anyone wanting a detailed knowledge and insight into the most famous play in the world (set on every school syllabus!) and/or to audition for our Easter 2015 production. Liz will paraphrase and discuss every word of the play – focussing on the cuts and concepts in the forthcomingStage2 production, but still considering the extended text. There will be some practical work – learning to beat iambic pentameter etc – but the sessions will mainly consist of making notes in your own copy of the text (we recommend the Penguin version and not a Complete Works!) with the option to volunteer to read back the next day. 

A few dates for the Diary...

Sat 21st June
A very busy evening for us!!
 4 - 5pm
Parent Coffee Afternoon


 5.30 - 6.30pm
Questions and Queries Session – ask us anything about anything Stage2....
CD and Photosale for Why is John Lennon Wearing a Skirt?

 6.30 - 8pm 
Jess Southwood (ex Director of Purple Monster, International Training Company) is coming into give a talk and Q & A about different environments and careers where you can use drama and how the arts can overlap with business. Ex members and parents all welcome £3 for kids (£4 if you want to bring parents).
Booking closes 14/6/14



Sat 28th June
5.15- 7.30pm

Interviews for the Tech Team of Private Peaceful and Assistants for the Workshops 
Auditions for Private Peaceful 
You are welcome to go for any of the above (please email us info@stage2.org or ask a current member for a contract.)


Tue 1st July
Priority Booking ends for Autumn Term. 
Make sure you book by this date for the Autumn Term to save money! Fill out the form on the internet, get a current member to bring your cheque in on a Saturday or just post it to the Stage2 office and we will issue a receipt. 

Tue 8th July 7.30pm
LAMDA Showcase Evening and Certificates Presentation Evening
We hope to see you all at this great evening which is back in the Crescent Main House. Get a company member to check if you are on the Certificates List so you can confirm attendance and get your certificate presented. Get a current member to buy you a ticket for £5 or pay on the door for £7.

 

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Stage2 is more than a Youth Theatre



Stage2 Youth Theatre has been guiding young people through their individual journeys for 26 years, all the while instilling positive attributes into their members such as passion, individuality and professionalism. With Stage2 having reached its quarter-century milestone last year, it is in September that this youth theatre will see a re-launch.  Stage2 is more than a youth theatre: it is the place for young people to grow and develop in themselves; through a wide variety of opportunities both creative and academic. 

Stage2 will be re-launching in the Autumn Term offering lots of new and exciting opportunities for young people from all over the West Midlands. To complement our productions and workshops we will be holding many more Masterclasses and Question & Answers sessions from a range of Practitioners (many ex-members!). We will also be increasing our work experience programme by creating an Off Stage option (more info below). We will be offering even more value for money than we already do and preparing people even more for the world of employment!

The re-launch has been steadily approaching over the last year as we have had Masterclasses from Sam Swann who played Peter Pan in Wendy and Peter at The RSC last year as well Claire Dowie & Colin Watkeys who are Stage2’s Patrons. We have also had a Question & Answer session from a BBC Lighting Designer. This is all massively exciting for our members and is only set to increase with the re-launch.

The Autumn Term 2014, starting on 20th September, will see dozens of young people performing in Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo (author of War Horse) and adapted by Simon Reade.  This will prove to be an engaging way for the members to learn not only the text but look in detail at the context of the play as we look at the history of the First World War especially as this year we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war itself. Stage2 will be running a General Shakespeare Workshop linking into the Spring Term 2014 Production of Hamlet, looking at all aspects of his life and career.  Also, brand new with the relaunch, we will be running our all-new Off Stage Option, this term focusing on Arts Administration.  In addition to this, we will also still be running our Stage1 option for 7-10 year olds, a great option for younger children to learn, play and make new friends in a creative environment.

If you want to check us out then please come and see our beautiful production of Swallows and Amazons which will be staged Thursday 17th – Saturday 19th July at 7.30pm (with a Saturday matinee at 2pm) at The Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B16 8AE. Tickets are all priced at £10 and are available from 0121 643 5858 or www.crescent-theatre.co.uk.  Swallows and Amazons, with its atmospheric music, engaging characters and fantastical adventure, will be a stimulating theatrical experience.

Stage2 runs on Saturdays at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG. Booking for the Autumn Term has already opened. More information can be found at www.stage2.org or on 07961 018841.

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For more information, quotes or photographs contact us by email on info@stage2.org or by phone on 07961 018841.

STAGE2 SUMMER SCHOOLS




Make Your Kids Smile This Summer with Stage2’s Summer Schools

Stage2 is Birmingham’s longest running youth theatre, having been established over 26 years ago. Stage2 offers a unique range of opportunities both on and off stage to all young people aged 7 to 21 in the West Midlands without even having to audition, and this summer it is offering opportunities that are too good to miss! 

Stage2 is a uniquely supportive environment.  With a team of Mentors to help members to feel comfortable, staff who really know and understand young people and all members being included by everybody, Stage2 is exceptional.” – Parent

This August, Stage2 are running three separate Summer Schools, covering a huge range of different topics and themes.  These will be run at Millennium Point which is located on Curzon Street in Birmingham’s Eastside (B4 7XG) and will run from 9am until 5pm, with an early drop-off time of 8:30am available to help working parents/guardians.  On the Friday of both weeks, all participants will stay for an extra hour until 6pm to perform in Sharings of their work, which all parents/guardians will be invited to come and watch.

From Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August 2014, the company will be running a ‘Taster Week’, where participants will focus on a different theatre skill each day.  Topics include physical theatre, puppetry, accents, masks, musical theatre and the offstage aspects of a production.  Days can be booked individually, with each day being completely self-contained and costing £25, or you can book for the whole week at £100 and get one day free.

From Monday 25th to Friday 29th August 2014, the company will be running two Summer Schools simultaneously.  Both of these cost £100 for the whole week (which is the equivalent of only £20 per day or £2.50 an hour!).

The first Summer School of this week is an Acting Workshop.  Suitable for any age and experience, this week will be based around learning performance skills and putting together performances.  It will also be a great week to get to know other people who enjoy drama and make new friends.

Stage2 will also be running a Hamlet Pretext workshop during this week.  The week will be based around the paraphrasing of the whole 4024 lines of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, arguably the most famous play in the world! It will be incredibly useful for anyone studying English or Theatre. On the Friday, there will also be the opportunity for participants to audition for Hamlet, which will be Stage2’s production in April 2015.

Booking has already opened for all three options and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Visit www.stage2.org or call 07961 018841 for full booking information.

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For more information, photographs or quotes, contact us on via email at info@stage2.org or via phone at 07961 018841.