DRAMA CLUB 2020 - 2021
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS TO ENGAGE
Februrary 2020 - March 2021
Antipodes Theatre Company (ATC) is committed to supporting artists as well as new work. The Drama Club’s goal is to provide a safe and inclusive space for artists desiring guidance or insight about the independent and professional theatre communities in Australia and beyond.
All participants will also be given priority for complimentary tickets to ATC productions
All participants must be 18+
Leveling the playing field. This project is meant to give everyone a fair shot at being successful in the arts. For the first year, this program was completely free and we will continue to offer scholarships so that anyone can participate. By providing a platform that is accessible for all, we hope to amplify the voices and passion of those who may not be able to afford other similar training or performance programs.
By accessing a wide range of skills and topics, those who attend will be given the best possible opportunity for growth and development in a supportive environment.
We hope to build a community for artists to feel accepted and valued, while learning important skills in collaboration, giving appropriate feedback, and balancing the business side of their art.
Facilitators: DAVID BUTLER, MELISSA DAVID & BRANDON PAPE
Biographies are available below.
2 FEBRUARY - 5 APRIL 2020
FUNDAMENTAL ACTING
Alex Theatre, St. Kilda
Facilitator: MELISSA DAVID (she/her)
Each week we will touch on a different subject, including: Auditioning, Shakespeare, Voice, Movement, Dance, Acting, & History. This FREE ten-week term will culminate in Club Showcase, a day where we invite our friends to come see what we have been working on. Through the season each of you will be attracted to a different thing we have learned. At the end of the season, you will each choose one aspect and put together a five minute presentation of that aspect.
19 APRIL - 21 JUNE 2020
THE ARTIST AS CREATOR (PLAYWRITING)
Online
Facilitator: MELISSA DAVID (she/her)
Now more than ever, theatre artists need to be empowered to write and create their own work. Participants can brush up on the building blocks of narrative structure, character development, compelling dialogue and all the other elements that go into dynamic storytelling. This FREE ten-week term will culminate in a ten-minute play festival (presented online via the ATC Facebook page) featuring brand new plays that will be written and performed by ATC Drama Club members.
19 JULY - 20 SEPTEMBER 2020
DIRECTING & DESIGN
Online
Facilitator: BRANDON PAPE (he/him)
We'll explore the principles and strategies involved with leading a production/team, communicating with collaborators, and envisioning a concept or "treatment." Participants will get to immerse themselves in various elements of design (including weekly sketching/drawing assignments), learn about actor coaching, discover resources for researching a show, and spend time analyzing/interpreting a text. This FREE ten-week term will culminate in a design presentation where all participants will cast and "pitch" their concept (including scenic, costume, lighting and sound design) for the same play.
11 OCTOBER - 13 DECEMBER 2020
FUNDAMENTAL VOICE & VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Online
Facilitator: DAVID BUTLER (he/him)
We'll explore the fundamentals of vocal technique and basic physiology, busting common vocal myths, and how to construct the ideal vocal warm up. Participants will develop their skills and capacity to: prepare and preserve their instrument, interpret the musical cues given by composers, “put the book down” by not thinking technically when singing, and choose audition cuts. This term will be quite practical in the regular presentation, workshopping and exploration of prepared songs and group-led exercises. The term will culminate in a vocal workshop where participants will provide constructive technical feedback on fellow participants' presented repertoire.
24 JANUARY - 21 MARCH 2021
THE ARTIST AS CREATOR (PLAYWRITING)
Online
Facilitator: MELISSA DAVID (she/her)
Now more than ever, theatre artists need to be empowered to write and create their own work. Participants can brush up on the building blocks of narrative structure, character development, compelling dialogue and all the other elements that go into dynamic storytelling. This eight-week term culminates in a Ten-Minute Play Festival (presented online) featuring brand new plays that will be written and performed by ATC Drama Club members.
Meet the Team
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David Butler
He/Him
FACILITATOR
David is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (Voice), a founding member of Antipodes Theatre Company and is a freelance performer, musical director and vocal coach based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. As a vocal coach, David works with singers, actors and other professional voice-users; he also tutors and lectures in Musical Theatre for Theatre Blacks and the VCA. Performance highlights include the Australian premiere GHOST QUARTET, #REALLY?! and two seasons of MAD WORLD. Musical direction credits include FALSETTOS (StageArt), GHOST QUARTET (ATC), INTO THE WOODS (Bottled Snail Productions) and MAD WORLD (DBS).
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Melissa David
She/Her
FACILITATOR
Melissa is a Northern California native who moved from NYC to be with her Australian husband in Melbourne. She is a graduate of the MFA Acting program at the University of Tennessee, currently in the top 30 programs in the world. Favorite roles include New Shoes (Off-Broadway debut, The Drama League), RENT (Maureen) and The Threepenny Opera (Lucy). She is a founding member of Antipodes Theatre Company and is Artistic Director of Brooklyn Runaways. Together with her creative partner Peppy Smears, she has written and performed in four cabarets. “Thank you to my Hubby, my show hubby, and my business hubby.” www.melissadavid.com.
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Brandon Pape
He/Him
FACILITATOR
Brandon is the Artistic Director for Antipodes Theatre Company. Melbourne credits: GhostQuartet, #Really?! with Mel andPeppy, Bowie Ball,Mad World, From: New York, For: Him.NYC credits: the world premieres of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires, Happily After Ever (also Edinburgh Fringe), and Gordy Crashes for RicochetCollective (which he also co-founded)and several projects as resident producer with The Orchard Project andThe Drama League. Favorite directing credits include The Last Five Years, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Shape of Things, and Big Love. @midwestrunaway