Courses for Adults

 

Diploma in Speech and Drama

Blubricks together with Trinity Guildhall London, brings you a Diploma in Speech and Drama that is just not specifically for actors but also for anyone who is wanting to improve their self confidence, and also have that added value of developing team management, problem-solving skills, diplomacy, presentation skills analytical thinking and also efficient communication.

Jobs available with this qualification:

  • Acting and everything that’s related to the theatre industry
  • Public Relations
  • Advertising
  • Newscaster
  • Radio Presenter
  • Speech and Drama Trainer
  • Drama Therapist

Classes Schedule

Classes are held once a week on Saturdays from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. At the end of each semester the students are expected to put up a showcase based on what they have learned. Every semester lasts four months, 14 classes per semester. There will be 3 semesters throughout the course.

Fees

  • Overall fees is RM5 500.
  • RM2 000 per semester for 3 months. (if you choose to pay in installments)
  • Exam fees approximately RM1 600

About the Trainer – Abigail Barragry

  • 10 year attachment with Crucible Theatre Sheffield
  • Degree in Psychology
  • MA in Acting from East-15 Acting School London • She has worked professionally for many years and in several countries, including live and recorded film, radio, theatre (musical and dramatic), commercials, and presenting. Throughout 2007 she was working in Kuala Lumpur, having gone out to perform in a large-scale musical, and then staying on due to additional demand in film, commercial, and live events presenting.

Modules

Body Focus:
A word does not begin with a word, it begins with an impulse. These impulses can only be realized in the body and on stage with fine tuning of the physical body. This will include: • Integration of inner emotions and physical expression.

  • Increasing physical range of expression through enhanced flexibility and acting exercises.
  • Getting to know your body well and feeling comfortable in your skin.
  • Using your body to obtain stage presence and hold audience attention
  • The neutral mask and body alignment.

Physical theatre
The use of body to communicate and even to tell a story using only physicality this includes gestures, comedy, melodrama, and mask-work.

Relaxation techniques
Techniques used by actors and non-actors to deal with busy schedules, nerves, and stress so as to optimize performance. This includes Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, and Arts therapy.

Vocal skills:
Includes a variety of areas including projection, articulation, resonance, tone, the body, self-awareness, and increasing vocal range. These classes will include technical work, exploratory work, and text work.

Technical class:

  • Practical guidelines for good alignment, flexibility, and body release
  • Optimum breath and sound for the performer
  • Distinguishing between habitual and potential voice

Explorative Classes:

  • Releasing tensions
  • Exploring breath, sound and limits
  • Resonance
  • Ability to apply yourself to exercises to constantly develop the voice
  • Ability to warm up for shows/auditions independently of class

Text Class

  • Process of owning (filling words and texts with experience and purpose) and communicating a text vocally, emotionally and intellectually
  • Process of connecting breath to thought and thought to breath
  • Developing an ability to connect to audience through voice and language
  • Relating all areas to character development and presentation

Resonance

This will begin by introducing students to the ‘three voices of resonance’ (head, chest, and pelvis). Through practical exercises and speaking vowel exercises students will use text to practice and demonstrate their competence in this area, and in choosing the right resonance for different characters.

LABAN Techniques

Performance technique
Stage presence, Circles of attention, speaking to the audience (no ‘fourth wall’), and fine-tuning specific skills.

Chekhov dialogues/trio’s
Study of Chekhov- a renown forefather in many of the techniques we use for acting today as well as a much praised playwright with fantastic work- another must for any trained actor. Work will be done in two’s or three’s, including:

  • When to take and when to give audience focus
  • On-stage interactions
  • Character relationships
  • Character analysis (in the form of a ‘character workbook’), text analysis, and study of Chekhov
  • Text studies
  • Gestures
  • Actions and beats
  • Performance

Performances

On-going closed performances and sharing sessions of work. End of course performance.

Grading

Students will receive assessments at the end of each term, for specific modules and overall. This assessment will include:

  • Professional practice (attendance, discipline, focus)
  • Creative inventiveness (spontaneity, fresh responses)
  • Ensemble work
  • Textual comprehension
  • Performance skills
  • Vocal technique
  • Physical technique
  • Skills integration