A group of young Highlands thespians have been finding their voices with techniques used by Hollywood stars.
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While they haven't had the chance to tread the boards of late due to ongoing covid restrictions, the budding stars have still had the opportunity to nurture their talents with the guidance of some local leaders in the industry.
The enthusiastic members of the Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council (SHYAC) have spent much of 2021 training under the watchful eye of these performance leaders.
And a recent presentation, for the senior students, of their filmed work put their acting talents in the spotlight for family and friends to enjoy.
SHYAC manager and producer Mandy Bransgrove is the driving force behind the formation of the group's drama club early in 2021.
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She said it came out of a necessity in response to ongoing covid restrictions.
"Covid flummoxed us," she said.
This was further complicated by the lack of a permanent venue for performance.
"We don't have the Mittagong Playhouse at the moment and while Chevalier College is very generous with hiring their performing arts centre, it is only available during school holidays," Ms Bransgrove added.
However, she said it was noted that "theatre is so important in a child's life."
As such Ms Bransgrove pulled out all the stops to make sure the acting passions of Highlands youngsters in Years 3-11 could continue to develop.
She set her sights on providing development opportunities for some 40 youngsters divided into primary and senior groups.
"We were lucky to have industry professionals in the Highlands happy to give their time and talent to help with the growth of our kids," she added. "As such the SHYAC kids are being given a real opportunity to learn their craft."
Those industry leaders actor and director Dave Letch, and actor and filmmaker Michael Turczynski and musical director Julie Blanchard, who all hail from the Southern Highlands, have been catching up with the SHYAC youngsters on a weekly basis.
In fact, Dave and Michael have been sharing their knowledge with the senior students, honing skills and filming the young actors over 16 weeks, broken into two terms, since early February. Local business, Luminous Entertainment offered their studio to record the short scenes, giving the performers a genuine experience. Meanwhile the 23 primary club students have immersed themselves in musical theatre with Julie and Mandy during Semester 1, culminating in a showcase performance of Mystery at Magpie Manor for families and friends.
Most recently the members of the senior group have been learning the Meisner technique used by some of Hollywood's biggest names such as Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The first term focused on individual performance while term two has given the young participants a chance to develop skills in the Meisner technique which involves actors leveraging their performance in a reaction to the their acting partner.
Mr Letch has reveled in the opportunity to share his knowledge with the youngsters.
"I'm focusing on the senior group of 14 young actors," he said.
Mr Letch said that while the focus of each term varied there was a common thread.
This included voice work, breathing techniques, improvisation, scene and character work, and film work.
Much of what has been learned so far was highlighted in the series of filmed two-handed scenes recently shared with family and friends. As the name suggests two-handers are scenes involving two performers.
This was presented in early June with the youngsters now taking a break from their performance before the third term of classes begins in mid-July.
Term three is certain to provide the senior students with plenty more learning opportunities with a full program of skill development on offer.
"Next term shall be Blank Mask work, which subconsciously forces the actor - of any age, but especially trainees, into their bodies as they intuit. They haven't got a face to use, so immediately they have to get into the dynamic of the body," Mr Letch said.
Term three classes will also feature stage work, improvisation, and the Alexander technique which aims to assist the actor in being more natural in performance and reduce the chance of stage fright.
Mr Letch said there would be a focus on dynamic exercises and methods that took the young actor straight to a physical place where they "get out of their own way."
"It kills analysis paralysis suffered by actors of all ages," he said.
"It allows the performer to give a much truer, honest and 'from-the-gut' performance."
The final term, up to the end of November, will provide the opportunity for the youngsters to bring all their newfound skills together with a combination of stage and film opportunities.
"The kids are getting a terrific training - and I'm working very closely with Michael Turczynski - a natural teacher and highly trained in the Meisner technique," Mr Letch said.
"He is a great filmmaker too."
Both primary and senior Drama Clubs are filling up fast. To ensure your placement book now via Trybooking:
Senior Club Term 3 (Years 7 - 11) - only 3 spots left www.trybooking.com/BQDMW
Primary Club Semester 2 (Years 3 - 6) - www.trybooking.com/BRJBW
Enquiries: office@shyac.org.au
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