Monologue Audition Prep

 Monologue Audition Prep 

19 September – 5 October

Two young people practising lines for acting

Have you applied or are you thinking about applying to study drama at a college, university or conservatoire?

Join us at RCS for our workshops in helping you prepare for your audition.

The workshops will be the perfect opportunity for you to:

  • help select your monologues
  • prepare for the audition scenario
  • receive performance feedback

Taking place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 – 8pm on the following dates in September and October:

Tuesday Thursday
19 September 21 September
26 September 28 September
3 October 5 October

 Book your place on our form here 

Note: Fair Access is funded to support young people who face the greatest barriers in accessing the arts. Teachers are welcome to book up to four of your directing students onto this session who meet the following criteria:

  • living in a SIMD20 postcode and/or
  • care experienced or estranged and/or
  • identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living at a SIMD20 or 40 postcode).

You can check your postcode here or the team can check it for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Masterclass for Schools: Directing

 Masterclass for Schools: 

 Directing 

Wednesday 11 October, 9:30am – 1pm

Two young men sitting on a studio floor, holding paper to read from

Do you teach pupils who have been chosen to be assessed as Directors for Higher or Advanced Higher Drama? Then our Masterclass for Schools: Directing is for you.

This workshop aims to help your young people achieve as highly as possible in their practical directing, in relation to the SQA Marking Criteria. Your pupils will be supported to get up on their feet and share ways to bring text to life. 

Come along with your Directing candidates and let’s pool our resources to give them the best opportunities for success. 

When: Wednesday 11 October, 9:30am – 1pm
Where: RCS, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Who is it for: Teachers of Drama and their pupils

 Book Your Place Here On Our Form 

This workshop will be led by Linda Duncan McLaughlin (Director) and Neil Millar (Education Scotland) and is in partnership with Glasgow CREATE.

‘This was such an enjoyable and insightful session in how I might approach directing.’

‘It was valuable to see the process that a director goes through in the rehearsal room and processes you can take an actor through.’

Note: Fair Access is funded to support young people who face the greatest barriers in accessing the arts. Teachers are welcome to book up to four of your directing students onto this session who meet the following criteria:

  • living in a SIMD20 postcode and/or
  • care experienced or estranged and/or
  • identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living at a SIMD20 or 40 postcode).

You can check your postcode here or the team can check it for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Focus on Applications: DDPF

 Focus on Applications for 

 Dance, Drama, Production and Filmmaking 

Tuesday 12 & Thursday 14 September

Woman pointing at a screen that young woman is balancing on her lap

Want to discover more about studying dance, drama, production or filmmaking? Then our Focus on Applications for DDPF sessions are for you.

These two free sessions will be a great chance to:

  • Learn about studying at a college, university or conservatoire in dance, drama, production or filmmaking
  • Gain an understanding of the application process
  • Get top tips on how to write your personal statement

These sessions focus on applying via UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, as well as applying for a creative course at any college and/or university.

When: 12 & 14 September, 5-7pm
Where: Online (via Zoom)
Who is it for: Eligible S5 and S6 pupils who are looking to apply to study the arts in further or higher education

 BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED 

Note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

  • living in an SIMD20 postcode and/or
  • care experienced or estranged and/or
  • identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living at an SIMD20 or 40 postcode).

You can check your postcode here or if you contact the team we can check for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Get Into: Performing and Production Arts

 Get Into: Performing and Production Arts 

Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Production, Singing or Guitar

For ages 15+ Starting Autumn 2023

Young woman making stage props and words 'Get Into Performing and Production Arts'

Would you like to Get Into: Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Guitar, Singing or Production Arts & Technology? Not sure where to begin? Our free ‘Get Into’ courses could be the perfect answer. 

We’re running five separate programmes in these artforms starting Autumn 2023.

These free weekly sessions will be a great opportunity to:

  • Build your confidence
  • Develop your skills in your chosen artform
  • Meet others who love the same thing as you

Bring your energy, enthusiasm and commitment! 

Ticket like button for registering

Please note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

Get in touch and we can check your postcode for you. 

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Performance Making Taster Workshops

 PERFORMANCE MAKING WORKSHOPS 

at the Traverse in Edinburgh and RCS in Glasgow

Two young people standingwith their back to each other, touching with a foot

In partnership with Dr Vania Gala, Head of the new Performance Making BA, Fair Access has been running taster workshops at the Traverse Theatre and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

At both venues, we had a brilliant turnout of creative people, willing to move, collaborate and explore new ways of working together:


‘I loved being creative, moving and the energy in the room’ 


‘It felt so good to move’ 


‘I enjoyed the positive way we connected to each other and to our own bodies, and thinking about movement in a different way…I had a lot of fun!’ 


‘Learning that there are resources out there that encourage new theatre being created was so useful’ 


Our session at RCS was run in partnership with Scottish Youth Theatre and Creative Director Rikki Payne brought a group of young artists from Dunoon to take part and also couldn’t resist joining in himself! The session was co-led by Lucy Cash who teaches on the new degree programme.

Recharge Your Theatre Practice, Season Two!

 Recharge Your Theatre Practice 

Career Long Professional Learning for

N5, Higher and Advanced Higher Teachers

A woman on stage in costume, reading from an old blotted bit of paper

Build your skills in Directing Monologues for Auditions and Practical Lighting. Join us at RCS and All Saints Secondary School Glasgow for workshops to refresh your creative practice and share new ways of working!

Directing Monologues and Audition Techniques

Practical Lighting Skills

When: Wednesday 10 May, 4 – 6pm
Where: RCS, Wallace Studios
When: Thursday 18 May, 4 – 6pm
Where: All Saints Secondary School
Led by: Liz Carruthers, Director

Find out what a typical drama school audition process looks like from Liz Carruthers, who sits regularly on audition panels for the RCS, both in Scotland and internationally. Discover how you can best prepare your pupils or students, including choosing and working on suitable monologues, responding well to re-direction in the audition and being best prepared for the interview.  Liz will also discuss managing auditionee expectations and having a good plan B if not successful the first time, which is very common! 

Led by: Christoph Wagner, Lecturer in Lighting RCS 

Explore what makes an effective lighting design and how to achieve this with equipment typically found in a secondary school drama studio. This hands-on session will also look at how to use lights and equipment correctly. Using short scenes as stimulus, we’ll consider how to light key moments and document this with plans, notes and cue sheets. With lots of opportunities for questions, to troubleshoot challenges with teaching lighting in school, and sharing solutions.

‘Super helpful and I have lots of ideas to take back to school! Thank you’ 

‘Really inspiring and enjoyable – I wish we had more opportunities like this’

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or queries, get in touch with the team on: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

CPP Open Workshop (RCS)

 Contemporary Performance Practice 

 Open Workshop 

Saturday 29 April, 12 – 2pm at RCS

Two people sitting on individual fitness trampolines

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland invites you to a creative, playful workshop to get a taste of Contemporary Performance Practice in action! If you’re interested in drama, performance, movement, dance, choreography or community arts, this session is for you.
 
The workshop is supported by Scottish Youth Theatre, a young theatre makers’ development organisation.
 
At RCS, Contemporary Performance Practice brings together performance-makers, educators, advocates and active citizens who challenge norms, break down barriers and aspire to transform the world around them.

It’s a programme for the curious and creative, who want to become collaborative and socially engaged artists. Scottish Youth Theatre supports young artists to reach their full creative potential and aspire to courses like Contemporary Performance Practice. Join us to find out more! 

Event Details

Date: Saturday 29 April
Time: 12 – 2pm
Where: The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3DB
Who: Anyone aged 15+ with no upper age limit

Get in Touch

If you have any questions or queries about this event, please get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Come and Try Festival 2023

 Come & Try Festival 2023 

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 4 April – 12 April

A group of young people posing in their disciplines

Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI) is delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Festival are now open!

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

Throughout the Easter holidays the festival takes place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – and best of all, it’s all free to attend! 

Festival Programme:

Set the Scene &
A Taste of Shakespeare
Tuesday 4 April, 10am-5pm

Explore Your Artform
Wednesday 5 April, 10am-4pm

Woodwind Performance Techniques
Thursday 6 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Technical
Friday 7 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Acting
Tuesday 11 April, 10am-4pm

Storytelling Through Sound and Screen
Wednesday 12 April, 10am-4pm

Who is it for?

The festival is open to all secondary school-age pupils. Priority places will be given to pupils who:  

  • attend a FOCUS West School  
  • live in an SiMD1 postcode  
  • Care Experienced or Estranged  
  • Black, Indigenous, or a Person Of Colour 
  • Seeking Asylum or Refugee  

The festival is also open to: Transitions students, Aspire North Students, Leaps Students, Lift Off Students 

Contact Us

If you require any information or have any questions about any of our activities and events, contact the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

48-Hour Visual Storytelling Challenge

 48-Hour Visual Storytelling Challenge 

Fair Access x Beacon Arts Centre x Megahertz Theatre Company

Two people in darkened room with light behind them creating large shadows on a wall

We were delighted to partner with the Beacon Arts Centre for the 48-Hour Visual Storytelling project, delivered by RCS and Megahertz Theatre Company

The weekend was aimed at young people from across Inverclyde. The group of young people who joined us were imaginative, creative and very brave. What they achieved in a short time was impressive and a testament to their artistic ability as well as the skills of Megahertz who worked with them.

Young woman wearing a costume

Megahertz brings a unique skill set, vision and creative process, which is the sum of the many parts of the company. The company is comprised of artists with different specialisms, and this meant the learning experience for participating young people was particularly rich. So, over the weekend we improvised, devised, explored lighting and shadow work, built incredible costumes and characters and created images suitable for a movie poster, which were then shot using the Beacon as a set. Themes included sci fi, gothic, alien life, horror and post apolcalyptic scenarios! Here are some comments showing what people enjoyed:

“I enjoyed creating our own character for the photoshoot. It was so unique, personalised and interesting!”

“I learned how to world-build with single images/movements”

“I enjoyed developing a costume and character together – this wasn’t like normal drama where you get given a character and then decide what they wear. It was interesting to develop a character around costume”

“I liked meeting new people and doing stuff I never thought I’d be comfortable doing.”

We loved working at the Beacon, which was really inspiring and exciting! The staff were great and helped Megahertz to shoot photographs in a range of atmospheric locations not accessible to the public. This included basement corridors, control rooms full of switches and by the huge loading dock doors.

Get In Touch!

If you’d like to find out more about how Fair Access can help you, get in touch by our email at: fairaccesshello@rca.ac.uk

Fair Access Goes North!

 Fair Access Go North! 

Dingwall Academy and Eden Court

Fair Access enjoyed a road trip to the Highlands, with Mark Stevenson and Ramesh Meyyappan from the BA Performance and graduate of that course Benedetta Zanetti. Our mission? We had several!

Thow pupils with a singing tutor in a gym hall

Just before the winter holidays, we were delighted to work at Dingwall Academy with ten pupils, most of whom are deaf and others who are hearing but learning British Sign Language which is taught in the school. The group were almost all new to Drama but threw themselves into games and creating characters and scenes. We had a great morning and Ramesh told the group, ‘We really enjoyed working with you, it was really lovely. You’re really creative and playful and fun.’ Mark added, ‘Drama’s about being brave, standing up and trying something and I’m really impressed with what you did. For that kind of bravery, I want to commend all of you and during the morning I saw some beautiful moments.’

Whilst at Dingwall Academy we also spread the word about Fair Access to teachers including Art + Design, Woodwork, Technology, Dance, Music, Guidance and the senior management team.

We also visited Eden Court, leading deaf awareness training for fifteen staff members including Engagement, front-of-house and audience managers, restaurant and bar, box office, freelance arts facilitators, and National 5 Drama BSL interpreter. This session explored a range of topics including the best terminology to use when speaking about users of BSL or deaf people, BSL signed and captioned performances at Eden Court, how to attract deaf audiences and the value of programming work by deaf artists. Everyone signed their name and learned key phrases in BSL relevant to their job area, such as, ‘do you know where your seats are?’ It was a great way to spend a Friday afternoon with a lot of laughter as well as learning.

Then the next day, we returned to Eden Court, which was buzzing with audiences and shoppers enjoying a Christmas craft market that spread over several floors of this lovely building. Instead of browsing, we were welcomed to a National 5 Drama class, comprised of pupils from several secondary schools in the Highlands, which don’t teach the subject. In the group were two talented pupils from Dingwall Academy, one deaf and both BSL users. Ramesh taught visual storytelling techniques and Mark shared ways to physicalise text. The aim was to provide new creative tools for devising and performing, and the group produced some very beautiful work. Fair Access is very excited to be working in the Highlands and developing such great partnerships with Eden Court Theatre and Dingwall Academy.

A huge thank you to everyone who got involved and made us feel very welcome. We can’t wait to return to see you all again.

 Visit the Fair Access Website 

If you would like to know more about the work Fair Access do, head over to our website at: rcs.ac.uk/fair-access