Scene Change is running a series of inclusive drama workshops.  We are looking for disabled and non-disabled young people ages 14 -18 who are interested in having fun and exploring theatre to take part.  All you need is a passion for the perfroming arts, an enthusiasm for exploring and a desire to develop.

Come and join Scene Change at The Brimingham Rep, Birmingham or The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich to work with idustry professionals, have fun, make friends, make theatre and make change.

Scene Change at The Birmingham Rep, Birmingham.   19 & 20th February 2009.   The workshops on offer are design and prop making, devising theatre and playwriting.

Scene Change at The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.    28th February & 1st March 2009.    The weekend workshop on offer is devising theatre.

Scene Change at The Roundhouse, London. 14 & 15 March 2009.

The workshops on offer are Devsing Theatre and Movement

To secure to your place or for more information email :hannahmcbride@mountview.org.uk

We hope to see you soon.

Rachel Denning is an actress with restricted growth. She graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2008. Here she gives us her views on drama training and the industry as a disabled actor.

Find out more about Rachel Denning.

“It may sound corny and a bit predictable, but I had three of the best years of my life at Mountview and will be eternally grateful to them for giving me the chance I had been hoping for.

During my training we were all treated as individuals, which I think was invaluable. The staff focused on the difference in our acting strengths and weaknesses, rather than our physical differences in appearance.

I think drama training is really important for disabled actors as it gives everyone the chance to play, learn and develop from a variety of roles, without being limited by what we look like. It means we will be better, rounded actors and it is a lot of fun, and is what acting is all about.

I truly feel I got the most out of my training and I graduated a confident actor ready to enter the industry. I feel if I hadn’t trained I would be entering the industry being very naive and being of restricted growth for could have thought my career would be limited to Panto for example and I wouldn’t have the confidence to say ‘NO’, I want to do this, and why can’t I? However on the other side I do have a sense of reality and feel it is highly unlikely I will be playing the next bond girl!”.

Suzy Catliff   – Casting Director
Q; “Are there any parts for disabled actors?”
A:There are some already and I can see this increasing in the future. I think this is an area which will become increasingly important to address in terms of reflecting todays’ society in contemporary drama, both on stage and on screen.  I do feel that current practitioners are aware that it is an area that needs more positive reflection and thought.  As I have found out in the past when casting disabled parts, it can be difficult to source good disabled actors and make contact with them.  There needs to be a higher profile and we need to be encouraging more disabled young people into training, in order to have access to a wider and more diverse field of actors.training is involved; to be taught by professionals from the business they are hoping to enter;  to learn about being collaborative; to listen and to work as a part of a team. It helps students prepare realistically for what can be a very tough profession, giving them both the practical tools to move forward and also preparing them mentally for what to expect. It teaches them about what being a professional actor really means.

Q: “Is drama training necessary?” 
A: I think it is hugely helpful for many reasons:- to learn in a safe, informed and practical environment; to learn through doing; to understand what a huge amount of work, discipline and

Q: “What advice would you give someone who wanted to become an actor?”
A: see as many different types of theatre as possible – all genres, all levels; participate in drama clubs, youth theatres, play readings – anything to join in and try out different ways of working; be open minded and inquisitive, read plays, go and see films, begin talking to other people who are interested in acting – begin to know your likes and dislikes, try and see your favourite actors and actresses in different plays – work out why they are so good, read books!  In other words, open up as much as possible and begin to explore.  If you don’t feel passionate about it, don’t bother. And if, after all that, you are still interested in becoming an actor, look into different places you can go to train and see which one might suit you and your interests.

Mat Fraser

Mat Fraser is a disabled actor, musician, writer and performance artist with many credits to his name. Here he gives his thoughts on acting.

“ It’s vital that young disabled people go into the theatre and film profession. 1 in 7 people in this country are disabled, yet we never see this on screens or on stages.  Now that drama schools are opening their doors to disabled students, it will be great to see the stars of tomorrow training properly, gaining the skills that will make them shine, and enjoy success and a profile that will make everyone want to be like them, want to be the great actor that inspires and makes magic”

Check out the trailer for Mat’s new film ” target=”_blank”>KUNG FU FLID

 “ When I started acting, disabled students didn’t go to drama school, they often weren’t accessible, or welcoming, and consequently there were very few of us trying to get work. Not a day goes by on a job when I don’t wish I had gone to drama school, to learn from professionals who could make me a highly skilled, honed and better performer. I had to learn on all my jobs, and it did hold me back. There’s no excuse now for disabled young people who want to be stars, want to to act on TV, film, Hollywood even. If you want all that, and who knows you might get it, it’ll only be if you go to drama school and work hard, so that when you’re on your first, 5th, 20th job, you will be on top of anything that’s thrown at you, and be able to shine in any acting environment. The system is accessible now, so its up you to you to make sure you do your bit by being as good as you can be.”  Mat Fraser

Check Mat out some more @ www.matfraser.co.uk

What is the Mountview Summer School Scholarship?

The Mountview Summer School Scholarship is to a paid place on the two week acting summer school held at the Academy. The scholarship is awarded to one disabled student from the Audition Technique Masterclass. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges made up of industry professionals. To be considered for next years scholarship make sure you get along to one of the workshops being held at different youth theatres across the country in February and March 2009. For more details on these workshops check out the WORKSHOPS page

Find out more about Mountviews summer school and other part time courses.

An actor’s life for me
by Ewan Marshall
Award-winning BBC drama disabled producer Ewan Marshall (Pear-shaped, Every Time You Look At Me) give us some definitive advice about how to be an actor from a disability point of view.

Read the full feature here.

You should contact the National Council of Drama Training (NCDT) at www.ncdt.co.uk who have comprehensive information on all accredited drama schools and the courses they offer.
You can also download The Conference of Drama Schools (CDS) guide to professional training in drama and technical theatre from www.drama.ac.uk.
Most drama schools have their own prospectus detailing all their courses on offer as well as information regarding student life at their drama school. Contact each school directly for their prospectus.

To become an actor you will need to practice, practice and practice.
The best way to do this is by becoming involved in a school play, a drama group or  joining your local youth theatre. You can find out where your local youth theatres are by contacting the National Association of Youth Theatres (see useful contacts) or your local council.
The more exposure you have to acting the better.
You will also need to watch as many other actors as possible in the theatre as well as on tv and film.