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Grand Theatre Academy

The Grand Theatre Academy is our own youth theatre, which works from the Lawrence House Studio, at the Grand Theatre.

The Academy was born out of the previous Grand Youth Theatre and now welcomes up to 90 young people from across the Fylde Coast, working with professional practitioners from a wide range of theatrical art forms.

The ethos of the Grand Theatre Academy is to treat all members as individuals, so as to develop the skills of each member through a range of activities and workshops, as well as devised and scripted performances to both general public and invited guests.

Visit the Academies website www.grandtheatreacademy.co.uk


There are three groups:

Adults (19-25 years)

Our most recent group, which launched in September 2005, meet on Tuesday evenings (6.00pm-9.00pm). This group allows people to continue developing their interest in theatre after finishing their education/training and provides them with an opportunity to work with professional theatre artists, in much the same way that our other Academy members do. The course runs throughout the year and, as well as developing practical performance skills, gives members the opportunity to develop their understanding of script-writing and text analysis, as well as an opportunity to direct scenes and productions.

Numbers are limited, to allow maximum opportunity to develop work of a high standard. The first public performance by this group was Teechers by John Godber in June 2006, in the Lawrence House Studio Theatre.

Seniors (15-18 years)

The Senior members meet on Monday evenings, during term time, working from September to February to produce one major main house production. The rest of the year (February - July) is divided between skills sessions; working with visiting practitioners and devised pieces. Recently, this has included short film-making projects. In 2006 the Senior Academy members will be presenting at least one new piece, to be performed in the Lawrence House Studio, to an audience of young people.

Entry to the group is via audition, which takes place in September, or via one of a number of taster sessions throughout the year.
A number of previous Academy members have gone on to further their interest at drama college, or university. It is not essential that people wishing to join the Academy have a wealth of previous experience.

Juniors (11-14 years)

The Junior Academy operates on Sundays during school term time and currently accommodates a maximum of 25 members in each of the two groups.

The morning group works from 10.00am-12.30pm and the afternoon group works from 1.30pm-4.00pm, in the Lawrence House Studio.

Entry to the group is via annual auditions, which take place in September, or via one of a number of taster sessions throughout the year.

The Juniors’ sessions are based around developing the individual’s skills and confidence. Sessions are either based around key performance skills, or rehearsals leading to public performances.


Fees:

Membership fees for the Academy are paid in advance, at the beginning of each term. Fees are currently £85 per term (for ten weeks), although a number of assisted places are available at the beginning of each year.


More information:

To contact the Grand Theatre Academy call 01253 290111


Past productions at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool:

Dracula Apr 2007
Blood Brothers Mar 2007
Billy Liar Feb 2007
The Little Mermaid Feb 2006
Facing Fear Jan 2006
In My Eye (TV Project) Jul 2005
Bye-Bye American Pie (TV Project) Jul 2005
The Jungle Book Feb 2005
Animal Farm March 2004
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Feb 2004
Lonely Hearts (TV Project) Jul 2004
Titanic Love (TV Project) Jul 2004
Jane Eyre Apr 2002


The Director:

Grand Theatre Academy Director Paul David-Gough trained in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. After graduating, Paul founded Outlaws Theatre Company, which toured new writing to audiences in South Wales. As well as working for much of the time as an actor Paul has been the Artistic Director of the Theatre Company at Wigan Pier and directed Forum Theatre projects at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. He also runs the Grand Theatre Academy at nearby Leyland.

Theatre credits include:
Dick Whittington (Coliseum Theatre), Black Box (Lekoa Theatre Company), The Invisible Man and Jack and the Beanstalk (Oldham Coliseum), The Outcast (Theatre Worksop), Hiawatha (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre), RESPECT (Grand Theatre Blackpool), No Other Way (Outlaws) and The Sandman (Wigan Pier Theatre Company)

TV credits include:
Coronation Street (Granada), A&E IV (Granada), Born Freak (Channel 4) and Journey’s End (BBC)

Radio:
Judge Dredd (Big Finish 2005)