SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production 2021

13 Sept

Written By

Measured Shakespeare

Covid-willing, 46 young people selected from Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand’s 24 Regional and National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals will descend on St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, with the Supreme Winners of SGCNZ’s Costume Design and Music Composition Competitions for SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production week at the beginning of October.

Divided into 3 groups, the students will work on 40 minutes of scenes from 3 plays, Romeo & Juliet, Measure for Measure and Henry IV Part I, directed by Grace Hoet, Tom McCrory and Jonathon Price respectively. The challenge for the 15-18 year olds is, in 5 half days, being cast, learning lines and rehearsing, culminating in a public performance at the Sky Stadium (inside!) on 9 October, and a second one at a very prestigious venue, by invitation only, the following day.

With fight scenes being prevalent in a number of Shakespeare plays, learning how to perform these safely makes the Stage Combat Workshop, taken by Simon Manns, an obvious inclusion. Heightened awareness of effective but safe contact means the Intimacy one, taken by Lori Leigh, is also vital for these young people. Grace Hoet will take one on Maori Culture in Theatre Awareness. Voice and singing, dance, historical context and acting techniques will be covered in others.

In these anxiety-filled times, one of the most significant outcomes of the SGCNZ NSSP week is the camaraderie and long-term friendships and support networks which are established.

“Whether it is helping each other through difficult times and sharing strategies, or developing new works and performance co-ops, or being given opportunities to develop and share their skills as they progress in life, NSSP over the years has provided ‘safety nets’, personal and professional development,” said SGCNZ CEO, Dawn Sanders.

Half of the group will be chosen to, hopefully, go to Shakespeare’s Globe in London in the middle of next year as members of SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company.

Performance: