OUR APPROACH.
What does casting and rehearsal look like here at SCAPA?
*The beginning*
A song/poem/script/dance is taught in class and an audition date is set.
(This will be posted onto our closed Facebook group and Google drive for students who would like to rehearse at home)
*The Auditions*
Each student is encouraged to perform to us, for some this may be just participating in the group dance however we strive to get students confident enough to perform solo (especially if they are hoping to do this in the performance)
*Casting*
We try to give as many of our students an experience that stretches them or helps them to gain confidence when we cast the shows, often triple casting roles to provide an opportunity to learn lines, songs and dances that suit their confidence level.
*The rehearsal process*
We try to run the process as near to a professional experience as possible. Where possible we split the group to make good use of the time and space, however sometimes students will need to patiently wait their turn whilst watching their peers. This is vital to the rehearsal process, not only to encourage and applaud their classmates but also to gain an understanding of the entire show and running order, and an opportunity to learn from one another.
*Off book*
The most important part of the rehearsal process happens when you are ‘off-book’. Not only does the process of learning likes help their memory and cognitive skills it also gives them some responsibility to manage their time. Whilst it’s obvious that remembering lines uses memory, this skill is also applied to remembering where they come on and off stage, where they stand, the lyrics of songs and the dance routines.
Comprehension of the words written for their character is an important part of the process, one that encourages becoming a critical and compassionate thinker. Asking ‘why is this character saying this or doing that?’ Gives our students a skill to feel empathetic not only to the characters but to the world around them.
*Performances*
The shows are varied and always entertaining! We endeavour to make our shows affordable – with no pressure to contribute large amounts of cash for costumes. Performance rights are expensive and so is theatre and technical hire so we do charge for seats but again keep this as low as we possibly can, without the audience their is no applause and SCAPA fails its aim of ensuring the students experience that magical feeling of applause.
The performance is the end of the process however is not the end of the journey. Having achieved a performance and heard the applause, it’s all about how it makes our students feel, the appreciation and pride in their achievement.