2020 Drama Aust/NZ Students COURSE PROSPECTUS TABLE OF CONTENTS Section One - Introduction and General Information .................................................................. 3 Section Two - Schools and Course Information .............................................................................. 5 Part 1 - National Theatre Ballet School ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Part 3- National Theatre Student Policies ..................................................................................... 12 Section Four - Application Process ................................................................................................... 21 Section Five - RTO information .......................................................................................................... 23 The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 2 of 23 Cricos 01551E Section One – Welcome to the National Theatre Hello and a very warm welcome to the National Theatre Drama School. Creativity is a natural human expression. It’s a necessity for human evolution. At the National we seek to nurture and encourage this creativity. Einstein said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” We commit to you and your training over a three year period. Because creative artists need time. Time to grow, develop and mature. You need to invest the time to discover the artist you want to be. Our creative staff have been producing and nurturing artists since 1936, making us Australia’s original actor training academy. We employ working actors, directors and teachers who train our students with knowledge of the real world and all its demands. The caring and supportive nature of our staff is second to none. The training at the National is up-to-date, comprehensive and fresh. You will draw upon the teachings of Stanislavski, Mike Alfreds and Michael Chekhov. Classes include Shakespearean text, Suzuki, American text, Theatre creation, Film, TV and new media training, Yoga, Clown and voice and body work. Student public performances are held in our black box studio or the National’s 800 seat main stage theatre. It’s also a very exciting place to study. Located in Melbourne, Australia, we are a five minute walk from the famous St Kilda beach, with a large selection of cafes, restaurants and a booming nightlife second to none. Supermarkets, medical centres and other amenities are all within a 5 minute walk from your campus. We pride ourselves on the many successes of our students. Our graduates have made promising careers all over the world. From Hollywood heavyweight Bella Heathcote, to local success’ like Kat Stewart, Richard Cawthorne, Richard Tucker and music theatre The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 3 of 23 Cricos 01551E mainstay Esther Hannaford. Also look out for rising star Harvey Zielinski in the soon to be released Quibi series ‘Don’t look Deeper’ directed by Catherine Harwick. If you’re looking to audition for The National, you couldn’t have picked a better time to join our fresh, new direction. Come join and create with us. We look forward to seeing you at the National, Trent Baker Director of Drama The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 4 of 23 Cricos 01551E Section Two - Schools and Course Information Part 2 – National Theatre Drama School Introduction and general information The National Theatre Drama School Melbourne is a leading actor training institution in Australia. The school delivers full time acting course and a range of part time acting courses in stage performance and acting for film and television. This includes the three year Advanced Diploma of Acting, an accredited professional training course, the part time Preparatory Course, Adult Short Courses and the Youth Drama Program. The National Theatre Drama School has a long and distinguished history of professional actor training. Graduates include Logie award winner Kat Stewart (Offspring, Mr & Mrs Murder and Underbelly), Hollywood star Bella Heathcote (Neighbours, 50 Shades Darker, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows) Musical Theatre heavyweight Esther Hannaford (King Kong, Beautiful the musical, Little Shop of Horrors) Richard Cawthorne (Killing Time and Bikie Wars), Heath Ledger scholarship winner Brett Tucker (McLeod’s Daughters), and Singer/cabaret artist Geraldine Quinn. The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 5 of 23 Cricos 01551E Advanced Diploma in Acting Course Code: 10073NAT Cricos Code: 095283J Duration: 3 years (22 contact hrs per week) between 9am-6pm Monday to Friday. Fees: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Funding: VET Fee Help, Austudy, ABStudy, Scholarships Entry Requirements: Students must be 18yrs or over by the 1st January the year their studies commence. Students must have completed Year 10 of Secondary School or equivalent. Acceptance is by audition only. This course is open to international students. Students must meet all requirements and pass all units of competency in each subsequent year to obtain the qualification. Applications: Accepted until mid November – Late applications sometimes considered. Auditions start in November for the following year’s intake. 2020 Course Dates: Term Start End 1 3-Feb-2020 27-Mar-2020 2 14-Apr-2020 12-Jun-2020 3 13-Jul-2020 4-Sep-2020 4 27-Sep-2020 27-Nov-2020 #Please note that in terms 2 and 4 students will be required for end of semester interviews with staff a few days later than the end of term dates mentioned above. Units Core Compulsory Units ACTPRF601A Demonstrate a range of body awareness techniques in performance related activities ACTPRF602 Demonstrate techniques to physically release the voice in performance related activities ACTPRF603A Explore techniques to enliven and embody text in performance related activities ACTPRF604A Explore the key elements of the theatrical experience ACTPRF605A Create performance pieces ACTPRF606A Produce, promote and present an original public performance ACTPRF607A Prepare, rehearse and perform stage plays for public performance ACTPRF608A Rehearse and perform for the camera CUAIND402 Provide freelance services CUAPRF304 Develop audition techniques CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice CUAWHS302 Apply work health and safety practises The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 6 of 23 Cricos 01551E Course Information The Advanced Diploma of Acting (10073NAT) is a nationally accredited, full time, professional training course which prepares students for careers as actors and performance-makers in theatre, film and television. Over three years, students work closely with a range of Industry professionals undertaking a rigorous program of actor training. Students are encouraged to work with passion and engagement, demonstrate a strong commitment to develop their own individual approach, and to continuously refine their professional goals. Year One - The First Year of the course focuses primarily on the physical and vocal development of the performer as well as study of the elements of theatre. Regular voice classes, Yoga, improvisation and a variety of movement techniques prepare the actors’ instrument for the next stages of actor training. In Second Semester students begin a concentrated study of text; this work forms the basis of the work in the first half of the Second Year. Year Two - In Second Year the skills and techniques of devising original work are introduced and students are given regular opportunities to experiment with a range of styles in performance making. Acting for screen, rehearsal techniques for stage and the demands of public performance are also introduced in this period with the study of the classics such as Shakespeare. American text work is also worked on. Movement and voice are continued throughout this year. Year Three - The focus in the Third Year is to bring all the elements of actor training together and prepare for entering the Industry. Advanced screen acting and audition techniques, live performance skills and the development of performance-creation are all directed towards building a career following graduation. The presentation of an Acting Showcase (stage performance), a Showreel (screen performances) and a Devised Piece (stage performance) ensures that graduates have three opportunities to be seen locally and nationally by a wide range of agents and key Industry figures. Trainers The Drama School draws its staff exclusively from active industry professionals. Not only does this ensure the currency and relevance of our training but also provides students with valuable contacts in a wide range of performance and technical areas. Our current training staff include: Trent Baker (Director), Lisle Jones, Peter Blackburn, Philippa Devine, Les Cartwright, Vincent Crowley, April Albert, Danielle Carter, Margaret Mills, Katie Cawthorne, Lucy Velik and Joachim Matschoss. Details of all our training staff can be found on the Drama School website http://drama.nationaltheatre.org.au. The National Theatre Melbourne RTO: 3600 Page 7 of 23 Cricos 01551E Drama Scholarships The Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation Scholarship Thanks to the generosity of the Trustees of the Warrnambool based G & E Jones Foundation, a scholarship to the value of $6000 will be available to a young adult currently resident in the Western District of Victoria who successfully auditions for the Advanced Diploma of Acting at Melbourne’s prestigious National Theatre Drama School in St Kilda. The Nicolson Award To honour the life and work of Tasmanian-born actor, Gerda Nicolson,