Courses for adults are running at the Merlin Theatre for those looking to write, play and perform under the guidance of professional award-winning working artists.
Two levels of playwriting classes are due to run at the theatre in January. Under the guidance of multi-award-winning playwright and theatre director, Anthony Clark, the ‘Introductory’ course guides beginners in the fundamentals of playwriting. For those who have written before, seeking to develop their work, Anthony, who led the MA Dramatic Writing Course at Central St Martins, London, offers ‘The Next Stage’ – an intermediate level writing group, focusing on the play’s narrative structure, tone and genre, character arcs and redrafting, culminating in guidance on how to submit your work to theatre companies and agents.
In February, ‘Playful Clowning’ will be delivered by creative artist, writer and coach, Marina Sossi. Participants will be taken through a step-by-step process exploring movement and vocal expression, along with improvisation games and clowning exercises.
Organisers say, “Marina’s energy and support creates a joyful permission to be silly and have fun.”
This one-day course, which will unmask anyone’s inner clown and liberate everyone in the room from the weight of being grown up, is open to non-performers, first-timers and experienced players alike. Marina said, “If you are curious and particularly if you would never usually try anything ‘like this’, then this is definitely the day for you!”
For those interested in studying and developing the art of professional acting, both for stage and screen, the Merlin is proud to count amongst its Associate Artists, renown actor and director Mark McGann.
Resident in Frome for almost 20 years, Mark, whose career has included acclaimed work at the National Theatre, the West End and many high-profile TV series and dramas, offers his unique series of courses to the South-West region at the Merlin.
Crafted specifically to accommodate both professionals and non-professionals alike and with no previous acting experience required, his one-day intensive professional ‘Screen Acting’ and ‘Stage Acting’ courses and ‘Play in a Day’ performance-formats, are open to all.
Early booking is recommended. Details of all these adult workshops, as well as those offered for children aged from 7 to 16, are available at the theatre’s website www.merlintheatre.co.uk
