Professional Actor Training Centre

Performance Group – Melbourne International Comedy Festival (April 2010)

The Performance/Industry Presentation Group gives you the opportunity to be in a show at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Be a part of Melbourne’s dynamic theatre scene at this time of the year. Participation in this course is for participants who really want to stretch themselves as performers. In addition to all the extra class/rehearsal times, this course gives you a real taste of what it’s like to be in an ongoing show. You will have the opportunity to perform your show 6 times, be included in the Comedy Festival Guide and perhaps also be reviewed and seen by industry professionals.

Your teacher/director is Tristan Meecham, who has been previously employed by one of Australia’s leading theatre companies, the Queensland Theatre Company as a theatre maker/director, bringing together a series of images and scenes- some from “scratch”, others pre-written and some written by participants themselves. He is adept at working in this manner and bringing every idea together in a manner that makes thematic sense and exciting theatre!

Tristan is also a 2005 graduate of the VCA having won the prestigious and much coveted Richard Pratt Scholarship for full time study. Regarded as a graduate of exceptional talent, it was not long before he began working professionally, on television, in theatre as an actor, director and theatre maker. He is also a gifted visual artist whose work has featured in many exhibitions and his visual skills expertise is an invaluable contribution when making a piece of theatre. Tristan has management, publicity and industry experience, having managed the Kino/Dendy Cinema for a year.

Tristan’s intention is that this course “will prepare students with performance making skills and a tangible performance outcome at the 2010 Melbourne Comedy Festival. After a series of acting and comedy workshops, students will work together to develop a show (from a theme chosen by the course facilitator) for the Festival. The experience will provide actors with a process of generating original performance material quickly and confidently; ways to develop characters through approaches including mask, clowning, and kinesthetic training; the ability to plan and create a small-scale creative art work; the ability to work collaboratively in an open and constructive way; and the ability to work authentically: emotionally, psychologically, imaginatively, physically and vocally.”

For more information about the festival itself go to www.comedyfestival.com.au

This course is by invitation or interview/audition. If you are interested, please email us and we will arrange a time to meet with you.

Please email michele@dramawithadifference.com.au for further information and questions.

Venue:

NORTHCOTE/FAIRFIELD: The Actors Factory, 161a Heidelberg Road, Northcote/Fairfield border

Our space, The Actors Factory at no. 161a, is slightly back off the main road, in a small court of factory/warehouses. We are between SU Victoria (no. 157 on the city side) and Titan Storage (on the side away from the city). Melway Ref: Map 30, H12. Nearest railway station: Dennis. VIEW MAP

Teacher:

Tristan Meecham

Class Plan

Two blocks of nine three-hour sessions, followed by the show season

Class
Dates (Block 1)

Block 1: Wednesday 10 February – Sunday 21 March

During February, classes are held every Wednesday night, 7pm–10pm

  • Wednesday 10 February, 7pm–10pm
  • Wednesday 17 February, 7pm–10pm
  • Wednesday 24 February, 7pm–10pm

During March, classes are held every Wednesday night, 7pm–10pm, and every Sunday, 12pm–3pm, concluding on 21 March

  • Wednesday 3 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Sunday 7 March, 12pm–3pm
  • Wednesday 10 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Sunday 14 March, 12pm–3pm
  • Wednesday 17 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Sunday 21 March, 12pm–3pm

Class
Dates (Block 2)

Block 2: Wednesday 24 March – Saturday 10 April

Block 2 begins with classes that continue on Wednesday and Sunday

  • Wednesday 24 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Sunday 28 March, 12pm–3pm

This is followed by period of three consecutive nights

  • Monday 29 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Tuesday 30 March, 7pm–10pm
  • Wednesday 31 March, 7pm–10pm

After a week's break, this is followed by two consecutive nights of rehearsals

  • Wednesday 7 April (Class Rehearsal), 7pm–10pm
  • Thursday 8 April (Technical/Dress Rehearsal) 7pm–10pm

This is followed on the next two nights by the two show previews

  • Friday 9 April (Preview), 8pm
  • Saturday April 10 (Preview), 5pm

Sunday’s preview is the last day of ‘class’. Participants do not have to pay to be in the show.

Fees:

Block 1: $685.00 (inc. GST)

Block 2: $685.00 (inc. GST)

The block fee must be paid for in full PRIOR to the commencement of your first class. Payment must be for the entire block in which you are enrolling, or pro rata if you are enrolling part way through a block.

Students who have not paid in full will not be permitted to enter the course.

Bookings:

Online via the Applications page. When we have received your booking, we will get back to you to arrange your interview/audition. Alternatively, please email michele@dramawithadifference.com.au.