New Young Actors Ensembles Build confidence, Self-esteem and Friendship

The National Drama School’s recently appointed Young Actors Program Coordinator, Flora Ogilvy, says primary and secondary school students in years 5 to 12 who join one of their new Young Actors Ensembles can learn valuable life skills alongside stage and screen acting techniques.

“Our Young Actors Stage and Screen Ensembles are fantastic extra-curricular opportunities for budding young actors to nurture and extend their creative journey, while simultaneously developing social skills for everyday practice,” says Ogilvy.

“Teamwork, collaboration, self-expression and confidence are just a few of the many life skills that are also essential to any aspiring performer. We actively encourage students to explore personality and identity, character and storytelling throughout their time at The National Drama School.”

The Young Actors Stage Ensembles create the space for students to make new discoveries, express themselves, grow in their craft and use their imaginations – all while having fun. Each term focusses on a particular activity spanning improvisation and devising, scene work, character building and rehearsals, and preparation for performance. At the end of the year, members of the Stage Ensembles will perform on the heritage listed National Theatre stage.

For those interested in TV and film acting, the Young Actors Screen Ensembles offer a chance to gain the dramatic skills and technical knowledge required by young screen actors to work and play together in class, off and on camera. Learning the difference between acting for stage and screen, students are taught techniques for self-taping auditions, working with another actor on camera, playing with different film and TV genres and are equipped with the knowledge they need to take on the industry as young professionals. At the end of the year, students will host a screening of their devised film work.

Enrolments are now open for Term 3 commencing on 21 July. For further information including enrolments visit The National Drama School website

About the National Drama School

Established in 1936 by revered arts pioneer Gertrude Johnson OBE, The National Drama School is Australia’s longest-established vocational training organisation for acting. Renowned for its industry connections, intimate class sizes, and passion for the craft of acting, The National Drama School celebrates and champions diversity, while cultivating excellence and authenticity.

Under the inspired leadership of Director of Drama Dr Jaime Dörner, the School’s teaching faculty of industry experts impart their professional skills and techniques with budding young actors in the heritage listed National Theatre complex in the bayside suburb of St Kilda, Melbourne.