Category: Dance

Apply Now To Become A Fair Access Ambassador!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 

September 2022 through to Summer 2023

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

Young people sitting chatting in student area

 What is Fair Access? 

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an inclusive and diverse environment. We want to encourage as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to get involved with the performing and production arts. The Fair Access department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland run two programmes – Transitions and WACI – alongside our Fair Access Outreach and Partnership programme. 📽 Watch more here.

 The work of Fair Access Ambassadors 

Our Ambassadors work alongside our staff to help promote and provide information on opportunities around entering into the performing and production arts and our Fair Access activities and events within their local schools and communities. In return, our Ambassadors gain experience within the arts sector, working with people, and developing teamwork and communication skills alongside bespoke training opportunities.

 About you! 

The Ambassador programme is aimed at those aged 16+ who are passionate about the performing and production arts. You will meet the WACI eligibility criteria or be a current Transitions student. Checking your emails regularly, having good knowledge in social media, clear communication skills and being comfortable in social situations are an advantage.

 When will I need to be available? 

Aside from normal Ambassador activities, you will be available to attend our Ambassador meetings either at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or via Zoom:

▪️ Residential Weekend: 2 – 4 September
▪️ Meetings: 20 Nov 22, 18 Feb 23 and 17 Jun 23.

 Sounds good, where / how do I sign up? 

Our application form will ask you to fill in your personal details and write a short response to the following questions:

▪️ Why are the arts important?
▪️ How would you promote the arts within your community to young people?
▪️ Why and how would you commit to being a Fair Access Ambassador?

*Alternatively, you can attach a short video (2-3 mins) that answers the questions above.

* Applications now closed *

 Completing you application 

To complete your application we ask that you provide a reference from someone you know who is involved in the arts. This can be a teacher, tutor, community practitioner etc.

Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

WACI x RCS Summer School Scholarships

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS 

Now Open for Application

WACI are delighted to announce that our scholarships for RCS Summer Schools are now open for applications. 

Young people playing strings in an orchestra

Each WACI pupil can now apply for a fully-funded place on an RCS Summer School of their choice (subject to availability). Taking place throughout the summer holidays, these courses offer you the chance to try something new or develop your existing experience within your chosen art form.

Summer School Availability

There are a whole variety of summer schools to choose from in Dance, Drama, Music, Film and Production. Visit the RCS Summer Schools website here to see the selection of courses you can choose from. Some of the courses are very popular where spaces fill up quickly. We’ll be assessing applications as and when they come in, so get your application in as soon as you can to avoid being disappointed!

How to apply

* Applications now closed *

Deadline for applications

Monday 6 June 

 Get In Touch 

If you require some help filling in your application or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Announcing: Come and Try Online Festival 2022

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 COME & TRY ONLINE FESTIVAL 

Short Courses, Masterclasses and In Conversations, 5 – 15 April

WACI are delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Online Festival are now open! 

Image mixed with photo and graphics and text. Schoolgirl on a stage looking at an ipad.

Whether you’ve already got loads of experience or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Online Festival is a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other young people who are into the same things as you are. 

Taking place from 5 – 15 April, all of the workshops and Q&A sessions will take place on Zoom – and best of all, it’s all free!

 Programme of Events 

In Conversation
These sessions are for everyone:

Making Music on a Budget

Combating Barriers in the Arts

Balancing your Mental Health with your Artform

Short Courses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Let’s Make a Scene

Let’s Make Music

Storytelling for Film 

Masterclasses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Musical Theatre

Costume Design for Theatre

Devising Monologues 

Improvising and Accompanying in Music

Production for TV and Film

* Applications now closed *

Deadline for booking: 29 March

 

 Priority Places 

Please note that priority places will be given to pupils who are in the West of Scotland that: 

However, the festival is also open to: 

 Contact Us 

If you require any further information or have any questions, get in touch with WACI at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Expo 2021

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

We’re excited to announce that bookings for our upcoming Fair Access Expo are now open!!! 

Come along and join us on Thursday 4th November for open discussions around Widening Access to the Arts. 

We are delighted that the wonderful screen actor Julie Hesmondhalgh will be opening the Expo, sharing her passion for the arts and its power to transform lives and communities. We will also be sharing stories and flagging up opportunities for people interested in a career in Dance, Drama, Music, Film, Production, Theatre and the Performing Arts. 

This year, the main discussions that you can take part in are:

 Young People as Champions of Widening Access to the Arts 
A group of young people will come together to share their experience of choosing the arts as a pathway. We’ll delve into what it’s been like and how they see themselves moving forward.    

 Where Theatre Meets Film 
In this discussion we will hear from theatre-makers and filmmakers and people who do both – we will explore the many varied opportunities that are available in Film and theatre and how both practical and creative disciplines can straddle both art forms.   

 Being Working Class in The Arts 
A career in the arts is not always celebrated as a life choice or even as an option at all – in this panel we will hear from a panel of speakers from working-class communities who have forged creative careers, often against the odds.   

Registration now closed!

Head over to rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo to watch again

Attention all teachers and community groups:

If you would like to make a day of it and are able to host the event streamed live into your classroom/space, we have goodies!!! Register your interest in hosting a live stream of the Fair Access Expo to your young folks and we will send you through a box of goodies to give out on the day. Request your pack in Question 4 of the form by telling us roughly how many young people you are hoping will attend. The event will run from 12noon – 3pm. 

WACI Scholarship: Online Summer Schools

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Now open for applications

WACI are pleased to be offering fully-funded places for WACI pupils on one of the Summer Schools taking place here at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 
Taking place throughout the summer school holidays these courses offer an opportunity for you to try something new, develop your existing experience and/or gain a more in-depth understanding in a variety of art forms.

Available Summer Schools 

There are a variety of summer schools to choose from in:
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Film
  • Music
  • Production
Click here to have a look at the Short Courses Summer School’s programme to help you figure out which course is the right course for you. Some of the courses are very popular, and spaces will fill up quickly – we’ll be assessing applications as and when they come in, so get your application in as soon as possible to avoid being disappointed!

How to apply

All you need to do is fill out the application form below telling us:
  • a little bit about you
  • why you would like to do the course you’ve chosen 
If it would be easier, you can provide a voice recording or video statement in support of your application.

Apply now!

*Applications now closed*

Watch Our Fair Access Expo Live Sessions!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

The Fair Access Team would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone who virtually attended our recent Fair Access Expo.

It was a bit different this year –  however, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re glad so many of you found it useful. For those who couldn’t make it along on the day, our microsite contains a recording of the live sessions ready to watch back. 

Image of a website in various device screens.

Have you ever wanted to know more about Fair Access at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including information on the Transitions and WACI Programmes? Are looking for advice in studying or working in the performing arts?

Why not head over to our microsite now to watch back our live sessions:

  • Meet The Teams, Transitions and WACI
  • Industry Interview, with Laura Waddell and Graeme Smilie
  • Student Life, a showcase and Q&A (Content Warning! Swearing)

You can also: 

  • watch pre-recorded videos from students and professionals 
  • hear from the Assistant Principal and Fair Access Manager at RCS
  • watch our Fair Access Virtual Band perform
  • find links to information on UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, 
  • links to funding information from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
  • direct links to our programme websites

Again, thanks to everyone from all the team!

Visit the Fair Access Expo microsite here:

🌐 rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo

Bookings Now Open: Fair Access Expo Online

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

WHEN: Sun 25 October 11am – 3:30pm

WHERE: Online via Zoom (Participants will be sent information via email)

We know how daunting it can be pursuing a career in the creative industries, especially when no one you know has done it before. The Fair Access Expo offers an opportunity for you and your family or carers to receive support and advice about the educational and professional journey you are about to embark on.

  •   Meet the WACI and Transitions teams 
  •   Hear from those in the Creative Industries
  •   Hear from our current students
  •   Get involved in our interactive workshop

If you are a Transitions students or WACI pupil, you with your family, friends or carers are warmly invited to our Fair Access Expo. All members of your household are encouraged to join in!

This is event is free to attend but booking is essential.

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Booking Now Closed

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Booking Deadline: Fri 23 October

If you have any question please feel free to contact us by emailing: WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Bookings Now Open: Focus on Applications

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

WACI are thrilled to announce the first round of Focus on Applications Workshops for 2020/21 are now open for bookings.

If you’re thinking about applying to study one of the following types of courses:

at college, university or conservative, this workshop is for you!

Join us for our workshops that will help you in:  

  • Choosing the right course for you 
  • Application tips 
  • Starting your personal statement 

These sessions are for S5 & S6 pupils with a focus on applying via UCAS Conservatoires, as well as other creative courses at college and/or university.   

When: Tues 31 Aug + Tues 7 Sep 
Location: Online  

Booking Deadline: Thu 27 Aug

Booking Now Closed

WACI Lockdown Picks 8

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Welcome to the final week of WACI‘s favourite Lockdown Picks. Each week we’ve taken you through some of the best online resources in dance, drama, music, film and production. We hope you have found these helpful and enjoyable. 

Dance

A Visual History of Social Dance in 25 Moves

Why do we dance? African-American social dances started as a way for enslaved Africans to keep cultural traditions alive and retain a sense of inner freedom. They remain an affirmation of identity and independence. In this electric demonstration, packed with live performances, choreographer, educator and TED Fellow Camille A. Brown explores what happens when communities let loose and express themselves by dancing together.

Production

Punished Props

Punished props has over 600 tutorials on prop and costume making to explore and try out.

Music

Soundfly

Soundfly offers a range of both free and paid courses for a variety of contemporary musical topics for curious musicians. The topics are wide-ranging and key skills for today’s music maker.

Film

Let’s Make Films: Filmmaking on Mobile Devices

Have you ever wanted to make a short film but didn’t know where to start or think that you would have to buy expensive equipment to produce great video content? WACI‘s exciting online resource is a great place to learn how to create professional-quality videos with your mobile devices. We show you how to plan, create, edit and upload your videos.

Drama

Communities Task by Scottish Youth Theatre

Every Saturday, Scottish Youth Theatre share creative tasks that can be done in your own home on your own or with friends and family members digitally. These simple weekly tasks will run for the duration of isolation and quarantine with the aim to keep your devising and theatre-making skills flourishing.

That’s it for now as we start to prepare for the new school year. All our Lockdown Picks can be found in our News blog for you to search through. We’d love to hear what ones you have tried. Pop us a message or tag us on our social media profiles. Stay safe. Love Team WACI.

WACI Lockdown Picks 7

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Welcome to another week of WACI‘s favourite Lockdown Picks. Each week we take you through some of the best online resources in dance, drama, music, film and production. 

Dance

Digital Stage

Digital Stage is a programme of full-length dance performances, films and workshops online, to keep you entertained and connected through dance while live stages are dark.

Production

The Colour Lab

The Colour Lab is a browser-based lighting lab. It is a great way to examine how colour mixes both on actors and on the floor from three directions. A great way to develop your lighting knowledge.

Music

Music Theory

Musictheory.net is a great website that offers visualised resources for musicians ranging in skill level from beginner to advanced. Some of the lesson topics cover rhythm, scales, intervals, chords, and chord progressions. A great theory resource even if you just want a refresher!

Film

Film Riot

Film Riot is a how-to, DIY website about filmmaking that acts as an on-demand film school. You can engage with Film Riot through its blog, tutorial videos or podcast!

Drama

Broadway Educators

This blog post from broadway educators is a great read for young actors. It has various tips on how to be prepared for rehearsals and auditions.

We hope you enjoy this selection and check back next week for more!