Performing
Arts Scholarships
Hurtwood House is offering a limited number of two-year A-level Performing Arts scholarships in September 2007, one at 50% of the fees, two at 25% of the fees and three at £1000 per term. The major scholarships are awarded to students auditioning in all three of the disciplines - acting, singing and dance. The three scholarships of £1000 per term will be awarded to students auditioning in the following disciplines:
Acting and dance, or
Acting and singing, or
Acting only.
It is not possible to audition for dancing and singing only.
Clearly, we are not expecting students of this age to have received any formal vocational training, but we are looking for evidence of outstanding talent and natural skills. We are looking for young people with enthusiasm and commitment who would make a positive contribution to the Hurtwood Theatre during their time here.
Scholarships are awarded for the full two-year period of the student's A-levels, but will be subject to review a the end of the first year. Successful candidates will be expected to take A-level Theatre Studies as part of their A-level programme, and to contribute to all major school productions.
Before auditioning for one of these scholarships, it is necessary for students to come for an interview, so if you decide you would like to apply for a scholarship and have not already visited the school you should contact the school secretary to arrange an appointment. Once you have had your interview, you may complete the scholarship application form and return it to us so that we can enter your name onto the list of candidates for the next audition.
HURTWOOD THEATRE
Performing Arts Scholarships 2009
Scholarship Auditions will be held (TBC). You should arrive at the school at 10.00 am on that day.
We would like to make this process an exciting and stimulating one. We want to see how you work creatively with others, as well as more formally as a performer, so we have put aside a morning when you can meet our staff, work with us and get a flavour of the Performing Arts at Hurtwood.
The panel will consist of
Matthew Atwell (Head of Dance)
Andy Johnson (Director in Residence)
Miles Russell (Artistic Director; Musical Theatre Director)
Clive Wouters (Head of Performing Arts/Theatre Studies)
The outline of the programme would be as follows:
To begin with we will ask all of you to take part in a series of workshops in drama, dance and music. Even if you are not applying for all these areas we would like you to have a go. What we will do in these sessions will be experimental and perhaps take you into new areas. What we want this to do is to put you at ease, let us see you in a group tackling new challenges, and hopefully having some fun.
Your parents might like to watch this part of the audition.
After this we will see each of you in turn individually to present your pieces in acting, singing or dancing, as outlined below.
That will be the end of the auditions, but you might like to stay for lunch and in the afternoon you would be able to see the Theatre Studies department in action as we rehearse our AS and A2 examination work
What to prepare:
1. Acting: (for all candidates)
We would like to hear you perform two pieces, which you have selected, learnt and prepared.
A Shakespeare extract: One from the list below.
For girls:
The Winter’s Tale (Act 3 Scene 2)
Hermione: “Sir, spare your threats…………..to the oracle”
All’s Well that Ends Well (Act 1 Scene 1)
Helena: “Oh, were that all!…………sanctify his relics.”
Troilus and Cressida (Act 3 Scene 2)
Cressida: “Hard to seem won…………Stop my mouth.”
Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 1 Scene 1)
Helena: “How happy some o’er other……..thither and back again.”
For boys:
Richard III (Act 1 Scene 2)
Gloucester: “Was ever woman in this humour……………..shadow as I pass.”
Romeo and Juliet (Act 3 Scene 1)
Benvolio: “Tybalt here slain…………..or let Benvolio die.”
Othello (Act 3 Scene 3)
Iago: “I do not like the office…………….that gave thee to the Moor.”
Coriolanus (Act 4 Scene 5)
Coriolanus: “My name is Caius Marcius……………….to do thee service.”
And a Modern extract: (anything from 1870 onwards).
Select something with which you feel you can make a personal connection and which will communicate your individual expressive qualities as an actor. This must not be more than two minutes long.
2. Singing:
You should learn and prepare two contrasting songs of your own choice – one a ballad, the other with strong rhythmic emphasis.
An accompanist will be provided but you must provide the sheet music for both songs, fully written out for piano accompaniment and in the key in which you wish to sing. (The pianist will not transpose at sight!)
Important note: Do not choreograph your songs extensively. The panel are looking for your ability to make an emotional connection in acting terms and to tell the story of the song simply and to dramatic effect.
3. Dance:
There is no need to choreograph a special piece. You will work with the Head of Dance to learn a short piece in the style with which you are comfortable (jazz, ballet or contemporary) and may involve some technical exercises as well. Please ensure that you wear suitable clothes and shoes (or bare feet if you prefer.)
