ACTUALLY ACTING YOUTH THEATRE
Actually Acting Youth Theatre is an award winning training theatre company that is all about fostering young actors across Adelaide. We rehearse and perform straight acting plays, not musical theatre. We choose scripts that stretch and teach our actors, encouraging them to take risks and make strong choices, but also entertain our audiences. It's fabulous to see friends and families supporting their loved ones, but equally exciting when people attend our shows simply because they know it will be good value as a stand alone production.
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What DO WE DO?
We have three productions per year - in April, July & October school holidays and hold auditions around six weeks prior. These productions consist of 2 one-act plays, and are open to anyone within the appropriate age range (differs as per the production). We then cast up to 16 actors per play, based on suitability and potential. We choose both dramatic and comedic plays.
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Who should audition for us?
Any young person who would like to learn more and gain confidence. We are a training theatre company - much like weekly classes, except during school holidays. We call it an acting intensive! Even the best musical theatre performer needs to know how to act, and this sort of work can also assist with public speaking and improving self confidence for all young people.
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We have worked with actors with loads of stage experience and very little. We keep the numbers low so we can get to know each participant and work individually with them to ensure they get the most out of the experience.
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Current Auditions
The audition experience is an educational process with Actually Acting, filled with tips, support and encouragement.
Please see our Current Auditions page for more information.
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Full cast meeting/read through
Two weeks prior to the rehearsal period commencing we have a full cast read through and welcome lunch. We work very much as a team and we encourage our cast to know other and feel comfortable so we can develop our production in such a short space of time.​​
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During this time, we have professional headshots taken by Greg Adams from Imagestix. He coaches the actors in order to get the best photograph which can then be used for other work. All participants receive a 6x8 printed copy at the end of the week, and a digital version.​
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We also have our costume call. Depending on your character, you may be asked to bring suitable items from home. We provide anything character specific, but all actors will need to bring their own shoes.
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What happens in the rehearsal week?
Days 1 to 5 we rehearse and develop our plays - long days and dedication are required from our team. It is essential that all cast know their lines by day 2. We split into groups to rehearse scenes with support from our Assistant Directors.
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In the afternoon on Day 5 we run tech, which means we set the lights and sound, any scenes changes and ensure the cast use their props/costumes. Stage makeup can be worn if the character requires it.
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On day 6 we run the full show as a final dress rehearsal, as if it were a full performance. Here we take production shots, to which a digital link is emailed to all students following the show. Actors are able to watch the other cast's performance and continue to be fully supervised across the day.
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What happens during performances?
We fully stage four performances across two days, usually at 2pm and 5pm. Families are offered a priority booking period, followed by the general public. These shows often sell out, so buying tickets quickly is recommended.​ Students are to stay onsite between performances, but they come out at the end of each show to greet their audience. We provide a pizza lunch for students before their first performance.
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What about COVID?
During COVID we are limited as per government regulations, which can change rapidly. Masks may be mandatory. We maintain a Covid safe plan as does the theatre itself. ​ Students' details are logged with us and they sign in every day. We provide sanitiser daily and encourage the students to wash hands regularly and stay a safe distance apart. This environment is forever changing so we monitor the government regulations at all times to keep everyone safe.
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Specialist workshops
We have guest workshop facilitators (professional actors, voice coaches, directors and playwrights etc) during the week to enhance the experience. Past guests include Brant Eustice, Roel Voorbij, Paolo Castro, Ruth Fallon, Michael Hill and Ren Williams.
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Work Experience
We offer a work experience placement for one student per production. This is a busy position which offers a taste at all aspects of theatre life, including assisting with props, stage management, costuming, set construction and tech. If you are interested in being on our work experience waitlist, please send us an email. It's a challenging role, but very rewarding!
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We expect complete commitment and dedication from our cast, and in return give them an intense week of a professional theatre experience.​If you would like to join us, either as cast or audience, please subscribe to be added to the mailing list.