ACTOR TRAINING
Experimental Theatre School
Whale Chorus are committed to nurturing the next generation of performers and storytellers through intensive actor training and artists development programs in our new experimental theatre school. This school is a place to play, take creative risks and deepen your skills as a performer whilst working as part of an artistic company. Our inaugural actor training program is the Shakespeare Ensemble; a 14 week program exploring ensemble theatre, Linklater voice and embodied Shakespeare, and culminating in a public performance for local audiences in Newcastle.
We have 12 scholarship positions available for performers and 3 directing internships available (tuition costs valued at $2850 per place). Thanks to support from the City of Newcastle, this is a unique opportunity to receive a fully funded place in our inaugural theatre school program.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Shakespeare Ensemble
Led by theatre artist Janie Gibson, this program will focus on radical actor training grounded in embodiment, rigour, experimentation and play. We will explore ensemble theatre, Shakespeare and Linklater voice in service of the immediate connection between the actor and the text and the intuitive integration of the ensemble. Janie’s training processes are grounded in her work in leading European ensemble theatre with Song of the Goat Theatre (Poland), Linklater Voice, Shakespeare & Company (U.S.A) and her unique approach to performance making and engaging audiences.
We welcome any interested participants aged 17+ to apply for this program. We encourage experienced actors to take an opportunity to reinvigorate their practice with new training methodologies and welcome plucky emerging artists who wish to engage in rigorous actor training and gain performance experience.
“I came to Janie wanting to work on material from Hamilton. Her techniques gave me a fresh perspective on the story as well as an embodied experience of the text…The lessons are anchored in years of experience and technique that inspires you to fulfil your potential as a performer and human being.”
“The Trajectory Ensemble is the best thing I’ve done as an emerging artist.”
“You’ve taught us skills that go way beyond acting and creating, vital life skills like listening, human connection and emotional intelligence”
“Janie supported an eight-month process and held space for me to explore creativity and grow as an artist and as a person. Janie’s approach was holistic and transformational…It was experiences like the one I had under Janie Gibson, which propelled me to be the best artist I can be.”
“The program gave me a significant amount of confidence when performing, the ability to listen and become a much stronger ensemble member.”
“Janie helped me unlock a voice I thought I had, but had hidden away over the years. In an amazing short period of time, she helped build enormous confidence”
“It was just magical watching all those young artists shine.”
