NaDR Summer Drama Camp 2024
In on the Act, 8-12 January 2024
Another successful summer drama camp
Orana Arts’ Not a Dress Rehearsal (NaDR) performing arts program for regional youth and ATYP (Australian Theatre for Young People) partnered this past summer of 2023/24, to offer young people of the Warrumbungle Shire Council area and surrounds, with an interest in the performing arts, a 5-day school holiday, non-residential camp at Coonabarabran High School. The camp was called In on the Act and ran from 8-12 January 2024.
ATYP tutors, a program coordinator, and local coordinator spent the week supervising activities for 16 young people from Warrumbungle Shire LGA and surrounding areas, including Gunnedah and the Dubbo region.
During the week, a junior and senior group (pictured above) dipped into ATYP's library of amazing plays. These plays are created specifically for young people. Participants read the plays, choose their favourite scenes, and then discovered how to create truthful three-dimensional characters and performances. They worked on articulation, projection and how to hold an audience’s attention. Other elements of the camp included learning about the elements of drama including script analysis, establishing subtext, clarifying intention, sharing focus and building tension. Led by industry professionals, the ATYP tutors helped this group of young people to not only explore the works in front of them, but also rehearse for a performance in front of family and friends at the end of the camp week.
Here’s what some of the tutors and participants had to say:
Their strong work ethic, enthusiasm and willingness to take risks and have fun was genuinely impressive. - Sophie Kelly, ATYP
I was blown away by the young people's positive energy and commitment to collaboration. - Madeleine Diggins, ATYP
I really appreciate the opportunity this has given me. I’d definitely do it again. - Student
I learned to work in a group even when things got a bit difficult. - Student
I gained more friends and more confidence. - Student
You only live once so do this camp! - Student
It was sooooo much fun!! - Student
WATCH THE VIDEO: Find out what some of the young people who did the camp thought of the opportunity and why events like these are so important in the regions.
Camp gallery
Places in this event were subsidised by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Office for Regional Youth Holiday Break Program.
ATYP tutors
SOPHIE KELLY (LEFT)
Originally from Melbourne, Sophie Kelly is a director, actor and theatre maker with a particular interest in creating new work. Sophie is a graduate of VCA School of Drama (Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)) and the University of Sydney Law School (LLB).
As a director, Sophie has worked for Bell Shakespeare, Ensemble Theatre, NIDA, ATYP, The Q Theatre, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and the North Queensland Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 2022, Sophie was awarded the Sandra Bates Ensemble Theatre Directors Award. She is currently working on a development of Donna Abela’s new work Stella Started It which was a recipient of a 2023 Create NSW Grant.
As an actor, alongside numerous short-film and television guest roles, Sophie’s performance credits include Tattoo and Motortown (Griffin Theatre Company); After All This (Elbow Room, Green Room Award for Best Independent Production and Best Performance at the Melbourne Fringe, 2011); The Waiting Room (STC Rough Drafts); Titus: The Ultimate Murder Ballad Musical (Darlinghurst Theatre); Hamlet and Measure for Measure (Complete Works Theatre Company).
MADELEINE DIGGINS (RIGHT)
Madeleine Diggins is a director who is passionate about collaborating with young people to create bold works with humour and heart.
While living in New York, Madeleine attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and UCB, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts (UNSW) and a Masters of Fine Arts in Directing (NIDA). As artistic director of Swag Theatre Company (NYC) Madeleine directed contemporary Australian works. In Australia, she has held a range of teaching positions at The Drama Studio Wollongong, ATYP, NIDA Open, APGS and Excelsia College. Directing credits include: Reboot (ATYP), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Excelsia College) Forgotten (Riverside Parramatta/Playhouse Hobart) Hit me baby (Flightpath) Walnuts, Almonds, Pistachios (KXT), BETH (NIDA) Kabarett (NIDA) Cyrano De Bergerac (NIDA/ACA), Hate Goodbyes (Triple J Unearthed), Much Ado About Nothing (Streamed Shakespeare), Ladies Day (Stella Adler), Death and Botany (Stella Adler), Lockout (Off-Off Broadway). MORE ON MADDIE
