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"Without a doubt I would have to say that the Grand Theatre Academy
gave me the self confidence and belief that is essential for every
actor when they are starting out...without this I most certainly
would not have been able to realise my ambition
of being a professional actor."
Richard James-Neale
press
THE GRAND THEATRE ACADEMY -
A BACKGROUND
The Grand's youth theatre was first formed in 1996 and worked with over 500 young people on many new commissions and with numerous professional companies. Due to the outstanding success of the
youth theatre, The Grand Theatre Academy was formed in 2003 and took up residency in the Grand Theatre Studio, continuing to work with a wide range of practitioners under the directorship of actor/director
Paul David-Gough.
Demand for places led to the expansion of the group to three sections –
the Junior Academy for 11-14 year olds, the
Senior Academy for 15-19 year olds and the Adult Academy
for 19-25 year olds – and a second Academy based
at the Marsden Theatre in Leyland.
The ethos behind the Grand Theatre Academy is to nurture and
develop individual talent and provide students with the opportunity to
explore their skills working with a range of professional practitioners.
Academy director, Paul David-Gough, says: "It really is about looking at
each member as an individual. Trying to concentrate on refining what
technical acting ability they already have and opening their eyes to a
wider, more diverse approach to theatre and its related arts."
The Academy also encourages performance work and previous productions
have been on both a small and large scale ranging from studio
performances of 'Our Day Out', 'Grease' and 'A
Midsummer Night's Dream' to 'Jungle Book', 'Adrian Mole'
and 'The Little Mermaid' at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool.
In addition students frequently perform small
"sharings" of project work.
Paul adds: "It's true that the part of the work which can be most
exciting is the actual performing of pieces, to a paying audience. After
all, they can learn more about consistent performance in a short run of
two or three public performances, than you could ever teach them in a
whole year of workshops. But the workshop side of things and the skills
sessions are extremely important and a lot of fun."
Previous Grand Theatre Academy students have gone on to study at
prestigious drama schools including Mountview and RADA, several have
worked with the National Youth Theatre and some are now working as
professional actors.
The Blackpool Academy is based at the Grand Theatre. The Junior Academy
(11-14’s) meet on Sunday’s, the Senior Academy (15-19), meet on Monday
evenings, during school term time. The Adult Academy meets on Tuesday
evenings.
The Grand Theatre Academy Leyland is based at the Marsden
Theatre, Worden Arts Centre, Worden Park. Both the 7-11 year olds and
11-19 year olds groups meet on Wednesday evenings during school term
time.
For further information on the Grand Theatre Youth Academy please
call the Grand Theatre on 01253 290111.
GRAND THEATRE BLACKPOOL
Call 01253 290190
or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Release date: 20 February 2007
Downloads:
Links:
Grand Theatre Academy Director - Paul David-Gough
Join Us @ myspace.com/grandtheatreacademy
Grand Theatre Academy Blackpool
Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT. www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Grand Theatre Academy Leyland
Marsden Theatre and Worden Arts Centre, Worden Park, Leyland, Preston PR25 2DJ. www.worden-arts.co.uk
© 2007 Grand Theatre Academy, design by designthing.co.uk