All the World’s a Learning Space
Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) is thrilled to present National Shakespeare Schools Production (NSSP) 2016 in Dunedin from 24 September 2016 to 2 October 2016.
“I walked into this amazing experience having drama and reading Shakespeare as a hobby and I walked out being a Shakespeare and drama lion. This week of Shakespeare and drama has by far been one of the most amazing experiences of my whole life and I guarantee that I will cherish it for the remainder of my life,” so said Khorshed Tarapore, SGCNZ NSSP member 2015.
SGCNZ NSSP 2016 performances consist of 40 minutes from the following plays: Macbeth directed by Stuart Devenie, Julius Caesar directed by Colin Spicer and The Comedy of Errors directed by Kim Morgan. Performances will be publicly held on 30 September 2016 at Maurice Joel Theatre, Otago Boys’ High School and 1 October 2016 at the College of Education Auditorium, University of Otago.
Forty-six student actors and directors were selected from SGCNZ’s 23 Regional and National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals to participate in SGCNZ NSSP 2016. We will also have winners of SGCNZ/Tony Catford Shakespeare Costume Design Competition, Bruno Willis from Logan Park High School, and of SGCNZ/Morrison Music Trust Shakespeare Composition Competition, Sophie Campbell-Owen from Hagley Community College. Together, they will join the other student actors and directors in an eventful week full of prestigious workshops, intense rehearsals and eye-opening activities.
The following week will not only tests students’ knowledge in theatre, but their own understanding and interpretation of the world in which they live. SGCNZ NSSP 2015 alumni, Victoria Boult stated that her most memorable moment was when she and her peers realised that a Shakespearean memorial had 7 figures at the bottom of the pane to represent the 7 stages of life from Jacque’s monologue in All the World’s a Stage. She stated, “At this point, my friend fell to his knees whilst the rest of us jumped around, and yelled – so excited by the prospect of metaphors and deeper meanings, and the idea that Shakespeare’s words could transcend time to affect us so completely in the modern day.”
At the end of the week, 24 of the 48 students will be selected as members of SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2017 and continue their journey to The Globe in London next July. There, they will tackle a rigorous two week training course with world-renown practitioners and director, and perform on The Globe’s stage at the end of the fortnight, before travelling on to Stratford Upon Avon for more Shakespeare related experiences.
This year we are commemorating the death of William Shakespeare 400 years ago and celebrating the 25th year anniversary of SGCNZ. Dawn Sanders, founder and CEO of SGCNZ, states, “What a thrill to see so many of the 100,000 students who have gone through our Festivals since the first one in 1992, succeeding on stage and screen, in technical and behind the scenes roles, and in a myriad different occupations, drawing on the vast number of transferable skills gained from the experiences provided through SGCNZ and our activities.”
A message just received from Faith Perry, HOD Drama at Horowhenua College states: “Thank you so much for all of your encouragement over the years since I introduced the SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival to this school. It has given our students a chance to excel both academically, in Drama, and also as the creative leaders and team players of tomorrow.”
Two Performances:
Friday 30 September 2016 at 7:30pm at Maurice Joel Theatre, Otago Boys’ High School
Saturday 1 October 2016 at 7:30pm at College of Education Auditorium, University of Otago
Tickets:
Adults $12 / $10 Concessions
Students/Children $6 / $5 Concessions
Programme $5
For further information, please contact: Dawn Sanders ONZM, QSM, SGCNZ CEO P: 04 384 1300 or 027 283 6016 or E: sgcnz.dawn@gmail.com