tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20005763480251633152024-02-19T00:36:36.638-08:00Read College thoughts out loud...Read College runs Vocational 6th Form and Foundation Courses in Musical Theatre and Acting to help students get a start to their career in the Performing Arts. We are also a registered charity, fundraising to support our students through their training. Our blog is written by our Director of Theatre, Jamie Read.Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-75508172013552229572014-06-05T05:20:00.001-07:002014-06-05T05:20:34.953-07:00Small and Perfectly FormedLots of things have been happening here at Read since I last posted, including the first auditions for our new 6th form course which opens in Septmber, and some interesting chats with our auditionees about their experiences spending an audition day with us prompted me to write this post...<br />
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The most often-stated (and also my favourite!) comment that we get from candidates during their interview with us goes along the lines of: "It's so nice auditioning here because you get treated like a person and I feel like you've got to know me". And that, in a nut shell, sums up the entire experience at <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/" target="_blank">Read College </a>for auditionees and students alike. We are a small college on purpose, and that is how we will stay! There is no sense in growing and growing endlessly, when there are already plenty of other <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/courses.html" target="_blank">foundation courses</a> in the market which have larger classes and are involved with their own three year courses, but this is in fact our greatest strength.<br />
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Without exception, the whole team from the Directors to the freelance staff have the opportunity to get to know each and every student in the school, and support them in their personal journey through exams, auditions, successes and rejections. Not only that, but our focused student numbers also mean that we can shape elements of the course to suit the individuals studying on it, so that there is no 'one size fits all' policy. That's why our success rates are so good, and also why our graduates are now at such a diverse range of colleges from Urdang and London Studio Centre, to Rose Bruford and Central School of Speech and Drama.<br />
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Our focus and commitment to the individual has also helped our enviable exam results too. This year for example, not only did we succeed in gaining our regular 100% pass rate which we have always enjoyed, but our already above-average Distinction rate soared to almost 69%.<br />
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For students and parents choosing a <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/courses.html" target="_blank">foundation course </a>it is easy to see how a huge student body and premises shared by three-year courses as well can be exciting. But remember, bigger doesn't always equal better! For our select few they will be part of an experience at Read College that will challenge and train them, but also support and nurture them as young artists too.<br />
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If you fancy booking in for a private open day (again we don't do big, we do personal), you can contact us by clicking <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/contact.php">here...</a>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-17600027495622563812013-11-22T09:26:00.001-08:002013-11-22T14:24:24.264-08:00The end... But only of the beginningSo, here I am. Sat in a gutted out office with an almost empty college building behind me, save for a few boxes and bits left in each room. Today was our final day at the Myra McCulloch Building, which has been our home for the last few years and which has seen the opening of our Foundation Course in Acting, our 3rd successive year of 100% success rates on the Foundation Course in Musical Theatre, our accreditation for the 6th Form, and the continued growth and development of Read College as we know know it. But this is no end of an era, and no time for looking backwards.<br />
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We are embarking on one of the most exciting projects that we have ever undertaken, and it all starts now. In our quest to find a viable, permanent home for Read College, we have met dozens of artists and arts organisations in Reading who also find themselves without decent spaces from which to operate. From dance schools to charities, and from painters to performers, there is no facility in the town at the present time to accommodate the amazing activites of the creative community.<br />
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That's why we have decided that our new building, when it opens, won't be just a home for Read; it will be a home for the Arts. Our vision is of a collaborative space, where one group can interact and engage with another and where we can all share our passion and expertise with one another, and that's why we are currently in consultation with several community, local, and professional arts organisations who are likely to become our Artist in Residence groups.<br />
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A fantastic site has been identified for the project right in the heart of Reading town centre, and we are currently in talks with the land agents to secure a deal on the building. There is a lot of buzz around the project, and we are so excited that Read College has a chance to stand up and be counted on behalf of the arts community in the town.<br />
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We now have a 15 month fundraising project to help raise the money needed to transform the building, which is currently empty and unused, into Arts Space Reading. This is no small task but, if any group of people is going to make it happen then it's the extraordinarily supportive and hard-working staff, trustees and supporters of Read College!<br />
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Whilst all of this goes on, we are so grateful to our Head of Jazz, Michelle Legg, who has kindly taken the college in to her beautiful TPAI Studios in Reading (in a stunning location with the main studio overlooking lakes!). Our wonderful students have been helping the staff with the move, which is being done entirely on our own using volunteers so that we can save every penny to be invested in our Student Hardship Fund.<br />
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Without the kindness of the staff and students this would be a tricky time. As it is - thanks entirely to the supportive and endlessly creative people around us who make up Read Dance and Theatre College - it is one of the most exciting and inspiring times in the college's history.<br />
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I look forward to keeping you up to date with our news...<br />
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For the final time from the Myra McCulloch Building,<br />
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Jamie<br />
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<br />Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-21493633899750569862013-10-24T10:55:00.000-07:002013-10-24T10:55:33.994-07:00Completing the circleOur website says that "<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We will produce professional, well trained students, with knowledge of all aspects of their industry..." and that is something that we've been striving to do ever since we opened our doors. So, it has been particularly nice this year to be welcoming back some graduate students as colleagues who have brought some great industry knowledge with them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So far this academic year, we have had Natalie Issitt (Urdang) and Sophia Nomvete (Arts Ed) to teach classes for the current batch of Readies, and next month we will have Talitha Rye (PPA) singing as one of the professional guest artists at our November fundraiser concert. It is a huge pleasure to see how well everyone is doing and it is an even bigger pleasure to see how much the current students get out of learning from their experiences.</span><br />
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Learning is always a circular process - I have learnt so much from being a teacher that I didn't realise or understand as a student. It is really nice to have seen this circle complete this term as students, who have gone on to become professionals, complete the loop and start to teach; thereby learning more about themselves and starting the process again.<br />
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There's never a time to stop learning, because you can never have enough knowledge. Things change, people change, times change... I think that the most important part of any teacher's job, for that very reason, is never to think you have all the answers. Know as much as you can, love your subject and be good at what you know, but then make sure you open your ears and your mind up as regularly as you open up your mouth!<br />
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I hope that both the Graduate students and the current students continue to enjoy learning from one another as much as I continuously enjoy teaching and learning from them, and long may the loop continue...Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-84873034302476389702013-07-10T01:45:00.000-07:002013-07-10T01:45:00.558-07:00The InbetweenIt's a funny time of the year in drama school land just now. One group of students so recently graduated that they still feel present, one group frantically sending in paperwork and enrollment forms so that they also feel present, and a whole faculty of teachers who are the focus of our day-to-day work co-ordinating their various freelance schedules so that we can begin to shape next year's timetable. And yet, there is nobody actually AT the college.<br />
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It's the same way for a lot of potential students out there I think. Now that so many dance colleges and drama schools have become part of UCAS and there are degrees, universities and funding requirements to satisfy, people are very much in a state of 'in-between'. Some of our recent graduates are still waiting to find out about their DaDA funding or student loans, and meanwhile we've got potential students coming and going as they are offered reserve places at 3-year courses or lose funding that they thought they had, etc. It's a bit unsettling isn't it?<br />
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It was only when considering this constant state of flux this morning that I realised the glaring comparison to the industry in which these students all aspire to work. I remember the feeling when you enter the final weeks of a contract and remember that soon so you will be back on the audition circuit plying your trade and that you'd really better crack on with the new CV and headshots you've been promising yourself...<br />
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So in some respects, even the wait for a place at drama school or dance college is a part of your training. And the key thing to learn? Patience and focus. If you flap under either set of circumstances, you can very easily talk yourself up to being stressed out and panicked, which achieves nothing except, well, stress and panic. It's easy to say I know, but keeping your head and staying focused on the 'why' instead of the 'what' makes life much more bearable. If you worry about the 'what' (I need funding for drama school... I can't go without it... What shall I do???!!!) it's not going to make it any more likely to happen. Concentrate on the 'why' (Because I love theatre... because of the way I feel onstage... because of that one performance I once saw that changed my life...) and life seems much more under your own control instead of being in the lap of the Gods.<br />
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For me at this time of the year, the 'what' includes policy writing, CDET paperwork, EdExcel paperwork, staffing agreements, contracts, curriculum planning, module writing, buildings maintenance, meetings... blurgh. But the 'why'? Because of the way it feels when you see the students graduate at the end of the year. You can't beat it.Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-61487098895657745272013-05-07T13:12:00.001-07:002013-05-07T13:15:38.632-07:00In BracketsOK, so here's the tip of the day... Whether you are auditioning at drama school or for a show, knowing your casting bracket and exploiting it for all you're worth is absolutely key.<br />
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For example, if we audition someone here at Read and they have a really strong contemporary MT voice with a big belt, great acting skills with a strong monologue and their dance is their third discipline - not bad but not great - we're going to start thinking about where we would be able to send them on to. Immediately in my head, I'm thinking Mountview or LSMT, or maybe GSA if they've got the right look. <br />
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But then what if we interview them and ask them where they see themselves going, and they say Laine or Bird? The big problem for us at that stage is figuring out if that person is going to be able to cope with the news that we have in store for them... It Ain't Gonna Happen. Do they already know that in their heart of hearts? Are they unrealistic about their skills or looks? Are they just badly informed?<br />
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Whatever your casting bracket is, you're pretty much stuck with most of it. If you are bigger built you can choose to slim down, or indeed if you're a slight build you can bulk up, but it's a safe assumption that you're not going to change your height, and the essence of 'you' is always going to be the same. The fact is, you might be 99% right for a certain role but there are so many people working in this industry that the casting people are not going to have to look too far to find an actor who is 100% right. It doesn't matter if you can sing the hell out of it, the slipper doesn't fit. So what to do? Embrace it, don't fight it.<br />
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I could have spent a long time bemoaning the fact that I was 2 inches too tall to play Eddie in Blood Brothers or that, frankly, I wasn't good looking or dashing enough to play Enjolras in Les Mis (both were true). But why waste time? Instead learn to accept and find out about who you ARE going to play. Are you short? Are you tall? Are you skinny? Are you big? Who cares, as long as you work it!<br />
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The same is absolutely true for students auditioning. If you come to an audition with no idea of where you fit into the industry then you're a very hard proposition for someone to train. A lot (and I mean a LOT) of girls come to audition at Read wanting to go on to study at Arts Ed and then be in Wicked. Great, if that happens for you. But mostly this is not actually what they want based on an informed career decision, it is simply all that they know about. Research, research, research. If this industry is going to be your career, then find out everything you can about it because it interests you and excites you! Don't go for the obvious, especially since casting is so specific.<br />
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Most of all, treat your casting bracket like a spouse. It will be with you your whole life, so make sure the relationship is based on honesty and faithfulness, and don't kid yourself. If you're a tall, muscular man with a great tenor voice, or a petite high belting girl with astonishing cheekbones, good for you. You shall go to the ball.<br />
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If though, like me, you are a character actor with a regular-person physique and regular-person looks, then even better for you. You will also go to the ball, but you will play the roles that make people laugh or be part of a fantastic ensemble without which a show does not run, and there's a lot of work out there for you. Find the parts that you could play, find out who's playing them, and THEN find out where they trained. That's where you want to be, and who knows? Maybe Read College could be a part of the journey ;)Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-68391958023652340532013-04-26T05:38:00.001-07:002013-04-26T05:38:58.996-07:002 Weeks To Go!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Hello all you cyber friends...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We wanted to remind you that there are only two weeks left for students to apply for one of our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stage Scholarships for 2013</b>, which are being awarded by The Stage newspaper following our 100% success rate over the last 2 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is one scholarship available for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Musical Theatre</b> and one for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acting</b>, and the recipients will be interviewed in The Stage, widely publicised locally and awarded their scholarships at the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">official ceremony in London</b> later in the year, so this is your chance to get in the spotlight!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbigail Lewin (2010 Graduate)</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Over recent years we’ve received support and funding from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dame Judi Dench</b>, and our patrons now include <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Craig Revel Horwood</b> (award winning choreographer and director) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bobby Cronin</b> (award winning US composer/lyricist) and our students have gone on to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Laines, Urdang, Millennium, Bird, Performers, TTC, Guildford, Mountview, ALRA, Rose Bruford, East 15</b>, etc etc…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have any students aged 16-23 who might benefit from The Stage Scholarships then they have to apply <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">before May 10<sup>th</sup></b> (although we remain open for regular applications until the end of June).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Applications can be found by clicking on ‘Apply Now’ at <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/">www.rdtc.org.uk</a> or by calling us on 0118 9666774.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Go forth, share this blog, and help to create a star!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-66295401657504136132013-02-06T13:19:00.000-08:002013-02-06T13:19:54.854-08:00Audition FatigueThis time of the year is a tricky one for students - not just here at <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/" target="_blank">Read College</a>, but for any students who are in the thick of college auditions. <br />
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It's easy to criticise auditions and to feel as though the people on the panel didn't pay you enough attention or weren't on your side, but the bottom line is that auditions will be a part of your life for the rest of your career as an actor, dancer or singer. For that reason alone, you've got to make the most of each and every audition and learn to love 'em! It can be a tiring, demoralising, slog. But remember what it's all for...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read graduate Abigail Lewin, now about to graduate from Urdang</td></tr>
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Auditions are the only realistic way for colleges and prospective employers to see what you have to offer as a performer. It may be short and it may not be on your terms, but staying positive about the process and accepting it for what it is will be your only way to survive them<br />
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If you're in the middle of auditioning at the moment, you might want to bear a few of these thoughts in mind:<br />
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1. Make sure you're performing the right stuff. Your rep needs to show you off but it also needs to fit your casting bracket (in other words, be a role that you could reasonably play). Playing someone way out of your age range, or of a different ethnic background, or even of the opposite sex, doesn't just frustrate the audition panel - it makes it apparent to them that you don't really understand the theatre industry. Albeit there are occasional productions where roles are deliberately cast against type, most of the time you will be working within your casting bracket and whether you like it or not there's not all that much you can do about it. If you're too tall to play your favourite Musical Theatre lead or too short to play a Shakespearean king, then that's the end of that. Move on and find out what you ARE going to play, and get good at it.<br />
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2. Almost every audition panel you will meet WANT you to get in. They don't want to spend their days meeting people who are no good to them, and they want great people on their courses representing their college. Don't go in feeling like they're out to judge you harshly and that they don't want you, because it's not true. With that in mind, go in positive, enjoy the experience and know that you're in a room with people who want you to be good!<br />
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3. The most important thing. Separate 'you' the product from 'you' the person. This is something I say to my students all the time, and it is the single most important thing that a professional performer needs to do. If you are rejected by a college, they are not rejecting 'you' the person and there is no emotional intention behind the rejection. They are rejecting 'you' the product because that product doesn't fit the brand that they represent. I know it sounds very corporate, and I also know it is a very hard thing to do, but without making the distinction you will finish up feeling like people don't like you, rather than realising - much more importantly - that you're just barking up the wrong tree.<br />
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If you feel like you could do with some more advice on you audition process, then why not come and attend one of our <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/short_courses.html" target="_blank">3 day Audition Preparation</a> courses at Read?Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-32539218553939840432013-01-23T13:20:00.000-08:002013-01-23T13:22:08.922-08:00The Value of Working TogetherAfter a fantastic day today talking to people about the new Scholarships we have on offer and preparing for our first round of auditions on Monday I feel compelled to write a brief note about how much I love working so collaboratively with the fantastic folks in our industry.<br />
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Firstly, it has been so refreshing this year to find so many of the schools into which we feed being so open to working with our students. By the end of this term we will have had visiting teachers from London Studio Centre, GSA, Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, Urdang Academy, Millennium Performing Arts, Mountivew and Arts Ed. What a fantastic list of great schools, all of whom have seen the value of encouraging and nurturing incoming talent to their courses through foundation courses like ours.<br />
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Secondly, the schools and organisations who continue to support us by sending talented and well-trained students to us for audition and by publicising our courses to their students. Tina Thomas at Northampton College; Juliette Caton and Sammy Fonfe at SOTA; Denise Gosney Hutton and Shelley Fitzgibbon at Razzamataz; Melanie Dudman at Allied School of Dance; Joanne Scanlan at Tap Attack; Dani Davies at Reading Between the Lines Theatre Company; and everyone else who lends us their support - Thank You.<br />
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Thirdly, our fantastic teaching faculty who work so hard at the college, and also go so regularly over and above the call of duty to help make contacts for us with students and colleagues outside of Read - most especially our supremely talented and brilliantly bonkers Head of Acting, Seamus Allen. What an incredible, talented, and dedicated team of folks.<br />
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Fourthly, our Board of Trustees who give us their time, knowledge and experience to help oversee the work that the college does. How fantastic to be able to pick up the phone to the marketing officer at the Watermill Theatre, or the Chief Executive of a charity who has over 30 years of experience; a media business owner, the Head of 1st Year at a major performing arts college or even a Creative Technical Consultant at the National Theatre Studio. They are brilliant and we are blessed to have them. Equally our Board of Advisors including casting directors (James Hopson), agents (James Beresford), musical directors (Matthew Reeve) and teachers (David Ashley, Sean McNamara, Alison Desbois).<br />
<br />
Finally, a huge thank you must go out to our wonderful students who, without fail and year on year, provide recommendations to their friends to come and audition for us too. We are very proud of what all of our alumni go on to achieve, and for them to leave us a legacy in the form of other students for the future is brilliant.<br />
<br />
It does puzzle me that there are still people out there doing similar things than all of these wonderful people, but doing it in such a way that they remain aloof and don't get involved with the arts and training communities around them. There is so much positivity, support and camaraderie out there to be had that surely it can only be a good thing to open yourself up to it as an establishment and get out there to work with people ?<br />
<br />
Just a thought :)Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-23567080674791936172013-01-15T13:34:00.001-08:002013-01-15T13:39:44.031-08:00Our new patron and our new scholarships!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Read Dance and Theatre College</b> - the UK's leading independent vocational school for foundation training in the performing arts - is delighted to announce the appointment of our newest patron, <b>Bobby Cronin.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><b>Bobby Cronin</b><span style="color: #302f2f;"> is an
award-winning composer/writer based in NYC. His pop/rock musical WELCOME TO MY
LIFE (W2ML) with co-book writer Alicia Dempster is under a Broadway option. He
and book writer Allen Mogol were recently awarded The </span>Alec Baldwin<span style="color: #302f2f;"> Fellowship in NYC for their musical 'TIL DEATH DO
US PART. He is the first American commissioned to pen an original musical
called THE CONCRETE JUNGLE for London's esteemed Arts Ed School (Andrew Lloyd
Webber, President), which also just received an International Cast Studio
Recording produced by Burlington Productions and Nick Lloyd Webber & James
D. Reid (book by </span>Bobby Cronin<span style="color: #302f2f;"> &
Crystal Skillman, music & lyrics by </span>Bobby Cronin<span style="color: #302f2f;">). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #302f2f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU2v6wf_KJiw_v3sWd7TWiQwZs6gC0ZI0pz4ZswzGNAWsvKyr3IGDRAAMWQ1yMEsJHLY9vxfHsWpsPub6v27t1nux-zk9l4yNq_O_UlOXp77uls1-wn49w-HHozBD_tksow1v0KWh9I76/s1600/Bobby+Cronin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU2v6wf_KJiw_v3sWd7TWiQwZs6gC0ZI0pz4ZswzGNAWsvKyr3IGDRAAMWQ1yMEsJHLY9vxfHsWpsPub6v27t1nux-zk9l4yNq_O_UlOXp77uls1-wn49w-HHozBD_tksow1v0KWh9I76/s320/Bobby+Cronin.jpg" width="232" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #302f2f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #302f2f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #302f2f;">DAYBREAK (add'l material by Brett Teresa; 2011 New
Jersey Playwrights Contest winner) premiered in NJ & London's Tristan Bates
Theatre, June 2012. Music and songs for the web series THANK YOU, NEXT
(LAWebFest Award, Best Original Song). Other: Lincoln Center Songbook Series,
Joe's Pub, Birdland, </span>Symphony Space<span style="color: #302f2f;">,
London's </span>The Players<span style="color: #302f2f;"> Theatre,
more. "Reach The Sky: Live at The Beechman" on iTunes. Yale graduate,
Member of ASCAP, </span>Dramatists Guild<span style="color: #302f2f;">.
Educator at CAP21/NYU, with workshops taught around the world including: Read
College, The Royal Academy of Music London, Arts Ed, MTA, and more. He is
currently developing two new musicals: MARY & MAX and SUNSET CITY.
Visit </span><a href="http://www.bobbycronin.com/">www.bobbycronin.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>In other news</b>, we are thrilled to say that, for 2013, we have joined the prestigious scholarship scheme run by leading industry publication, <b>The Stage</b>. We will have two scholarships available worth £7,050 each for students applying to our foundation courses this year - one for our Acting course and one for Musical Theatre. The scholarships will run alongside our existing bursary funding scheme, which is created by running charity events and concerts throughout the year, plus having people on the staff who are mad enough to run long distances for sponsorship!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Full details of the courses at Read, how to apply, and how we have succeeded year on year to get our alumni into some of the top dance and drama colleges in the UK can be found at <a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.rdtc.org.uk </a></span>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-73077586096654631922012-07-31T14:40:00.001-07:002012-07-31T14:41:08.758-07:00Preparing for a new startThe dust seems to scarcely be settling from Showcase and we're in final preparations to start back with the class of 2012/13. Anyone who thinks we get the summer off is wrong :)<br />
<br />
We've been lucky enough to have to lay on extra auditions this year to see everyone, and it looks like a record year for the college with at least 16 students studying with us. We can't wait to start working with all of them! <br />
<br />
We've also had a very inspiring meeting with our Board of Trustees who oversee everything that college does. They're a fantastic bunch of people - I should introduce you...<br />
<br />
David Ashley (Head of 1st Year and Deputy Head of Music, Arts Ed)<br />
Elizabeth Flintoff (Director of Outreach, Watermill Theatre)<br />
Nick Flintoff (Creative Technical Associate, National Theatre Studio)<br />
Roger Missing (Owner, Missing Link DVD)<br />
Anne Munn (Chief Executive, The Mobility Trust)<br />
<br />
Between the Board, Helen and myself, there are some really exciting plans in place for the future of the college, including some great fundraising events which I will be blogging/tweeting about soon, so keep up to date and come and visit us at any of the events whenever you can!<br />
<br />
Let's see how many futures we can change this time around...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/">www.rdtc.org.uk</a>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-1677379346739895662012-06-16T14:15:00.000-07:002012-06-16T14:18:32.339-07:00A year's not long in showbiz...So, as I write this post we are just 3 weeks away from the end of my 10th academic year working with Foundation students. It's odd to think that those students from my first year are all now a decade older!<br />
<br />
It is a great privilege to work with young people at this stage in their training - they are right on the cusp of something great, and being there when they take their first metaphorical steps on their own is an amazing thing. They may be going on to other colleges for the next phase of their training, but they will always have been Read-ies first, and that is something that we are very proud of. GSA, Chichester, Rose Bruford, AMTA, The Centre, Masters, Millennium, Tiffany, ALRA and anywhere else I've omitted, you all look after our Graduates!<br />
<br />
We already have more students enrolled for next year than we've ever had before so we are limbering up to begin the process all over again, and in the meantime our wonderful year group of 2012 have their Showcase on July 4th and their Graduation on July 6th so as one thing ends another is already beginning...<br />
<br />
Our enormous gratitude and thanks goes as always to our Dance Faculty lead by Helen Read (Eva Blanco, Jackie Cullen and Michelle Legg) and our Theatre Faculty lead by myself (Seamus Allen, Ellie Verkerk and Mark Woolgar) and all of our guest teachers, supporters and trustees, for doing an amazing job once again.<br />
<br />
And so the wheel keeps turning...!<br />
<br />
Jamie<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/apply_now.php" target="_blank">Apply Now for 2012/13!</a>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-89356756481692417852012-05-16T09:00:00.002-07:002012-05-16T09:00:32.014-07:00Update from Read CollegeSo much has happened here at Read since the last time I posted, I scarcely know where to begin!<br />
<br />
Firstly, the Reading Half Marathon... The run was a great success and we are massively grateful to all of our tutors who took part most especially Seamus Allen, who took on the whole 13.2 miles rather than the expected leg of the relay he had volunteered for, when one of our other runners pulled out due to injury at the last moment.<br />
<br />
In all Seamus and myself, and the relay team consisting of Helen Read, Eva Blanco and Michelle Legg, raised over £1,000 for the student bursary fund which we are DELIGHTED with! In fact, I had so much fun that I've signed up to run another half marathon in October!<br />
<br />
Secondly, our move to the new premises is now complete. It was a massive amount of work, and the team of volunteers who gave their time over Easter and into this term have been amazing. Fancy a look around? Here it is!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL23KQukwQnjZKr00CW6U-2-u8Hyg4oMLPX72NOErGZCcI6mkY1l5ciZBHSPSde0DcLgC7-vXzgqDioyiWy7Et2_xukRT4R75GUCqyUHOLMqejPlIy2-p38U-RvBqGr-ysa9nX2kULBGNh/s1600/IMG-20120514-00344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL23KQukwQnjZKr00CW6U-2-u8Hyg4oMLPX72NOErGZCcI6mkY1l5ciZBHSPSde0DcLgC7-vXzgqDioyiWy7Et2_xukRT4R75GUCqyUHOLMqejPlIy2-p38U-RvBqGr-ysa9nX2kULBGNh/s320/IMG-20120514-00344.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reception Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlEHI8Yt8ufY_SYozPZX3sNLDGr577dtGi-fStZN0gbITdSX7u2lgbO0oA5yLAKcXpuS7XNjaCmmowKgVu1yYVjW9YAiNHnMoxXA1JM2JxC5LJ2V_1JfYF6BliLoPxcUFRNuS6w48i8UX/s1600/IMG-20120514-00341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlEHI8Yt8ufY_SYozPZX3sNLDGr577dtGi-fStZN0gbITdSX7u2lgbO0oA5yLAKcXpuS7XNjaCmmowKgVu1yYVjW9YAiNHnMoxXA1JM2JxC5LJ2V_1JfYF6BliLoPxcUFRNuS6w48i8UX/s320/IMG-20120514-00341.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corridor to Offices and Staff Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVt6Boo4hVL7RTpw7WM93lincgKshXbhvtSuFiKvpG31WQeWR7O9x2holHIG938LGgxOZiExnw087OcMt4J1z7qGNCVv2UEKNJQWNLYiGR20BPrWg0Fil03w5s_Yici6zSOD0t_zIEkAQ/s1600/IMG-20120514-00339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVt6Boo4hVL7RTpw7WM93lincgKshXbhvtSuFiKvpG31WQeWR7O9x2holHIG938LGgxOZiExnw087OcMt4J1z7qGNCVv2UEKNJQWNLYiGR20BPrWg0Fil03w5s_Yici6zSOD0t_zIEkAQ/s320/IMG-20120514-00339.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drama Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Rnbe_JsNPLTTil-l19GQRpT35AfYYjQfZTcF16x_2_Ft_a4UU5GXc9Ka5k6zLcgyoh4Z1t_j9jyDElLCQEJ9XOz0n7CeU7Q-ge51r2VxcAP4Wy15DSWSnMk90ZCV-hdBp9SVcLi0ePIT/s1600/IMG-20120514-00342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Rnbe_JsNPLTTil-l19GQRpT35AfYYjQfZTcF16x_2_Ft_a4UU5GXc9Ka5k6zLcgyoh4Z1t_j9jyDElLCQEJ9XOz0n7CeU7Q-ge51r2VxcAP4Wy15DSWSnMk90ZCV-hdBp9SVcLi0ePIT/s320/IMG-20120514-00342.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student Green Room area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1afAUk80xYz2qzWFOD1XyTY0fsWNWG9hZdjUYVtIuVHSvopi2dBPL_-gZ1VQ6VNGyA_4Sku8o-qx7CTyvcOWVez2NYLz_wzJEzQ_aiDF2PzboH2SPGM_FIoTKTWIU6ZTOg-FU3YEhPY2/s1600/IMG-20120514-00356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1afAUk80xYz2qzWFOD1XyTY0fsWNWG9hZdjUYVtIuVHSvopi2dBPL_-gZ1VQ6VNGyA_4Sku8o-qx7CTyvcOWVez2NYLz_wzJEzQ_aiDF2PzboH2SPGM_FIoTKTWIU6ZTOg-FU3YEhPY2/s320/IMG-20120514-00356.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance Studio/Studio Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4mePft63XCHou8dxOEcn50mU-Seu9AQggCSJ7BZy9UYjSgJwcnol5m3pTUmD7wK5F7PdShNm5QKW0242WUFsUA7ZaklTyDW4VwHIOXwkL02IKvDYnt4rKmFVBi-8utsUjNAvp8MjCera/s1600/IMG-20120514-00337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4mePft63XCHou8dxOEcn50mU-Seu9AQggCSJ7BZy9UYjSgJwcnol5m3pTUmD7wK5F7PdShNm5QKW0242WUFsUA7ZaklTyDW4VwHIOXwkL02IKvDYnt4rKmFVBi-8utsUjNAvp8MjCera/s320/IMG-20120514-00337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vocal Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW_d4UfAptPLcw2Rjs1hOscW-GQc7m0TWmvSHC6sAyTWDxjk8p_cAGZcOxrHOdAJg13Umgft6cyf2DxQzgr0QOgFr0DMzX26yrTewyK79BSbvQWz0D95ctvE_Dx6cSdawrzbG62YMiUUD/s1600/IMG-20120514-00346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW_d4UfAptPLcw2Rjs1hOscW-GQc7m0TWmvSHC6sAyTWDxjk8p_cAGZcOxrHOdAJg13Umgft6cyf2DxQzgr0QOgFr0DMzX26yrTewyK79BSbvQWz0D95ctvE_Dx6cSdawrzbG62YMiUUD/s320/IMG-20120514-00346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance Studio/Studio Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What a fantastic place to come to work every day! We are very grateful to our new landlords at the University of Reading for their help with our move, and also to all of our staff, friends, supporters and even an ex-student who turned out to help us with the mammoth task of moving the whole college in 4 days.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our official 'press opening' was on the Sunday just gone (May 13th), and our students were treated to an incredible workshop with Bobby Cronin - currently over in the UK from New York - who worked with the students in the lead up to the cutting of the (imaginary) ribbon in the Studio Theatre.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4PXAtgCAEEfbus3cF0nwM5xeWTaUjSdBlJBxHoCp2PGngjUVn21l3UQHNWmdalp5XwNj_YFZnwiZJAzRFVFdtbMNPwm-QDVqC41migfqqd7a3AKwBW8qyUn_mOrFBoZ6-0Uxc4t8jL1Z/s1600/IMG-20120513-00334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4PXAtgCAEEfbus3cF0nwM5xeWTaUjSdBlJBxHoCp2PGngjUVn21l3UQHNWmdalp5XwNj_YFZnwiZJAzRFVFdtbMNPwm-QDVqC41migfqqd7a3AKwBW8qyUn_mOrFBoZ6-0Uxc4t8jL1Z/s320/IMG-20120513-00334.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right - Sarah Crumpton, Natalie-Ann Stanley, Adam Butler, Emma Louise Southall, Bobby Cronin, Emma Cox, Jessica Wilcox & Lowri Hughes at the opening of the new Read Dance and Theatre College<br />
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</tbody></table>
Now we are heading towards another fundraiser for our Student Hardship Fund, which will be a concert in my home town of Thatcham, West Berkshire. Featuring some great talent from the West End - all of whom are giving their time for free to support the charity - the evening will be under the musical direction of our fantastic resident MD, Ellie Verkerk. The concert is on June 17th at 7.30pm and tickets are available now by calling the college office on 0118 9666774 or 08451 307408, and at just £10 to see the stars of the West End musicals up-close and personal it's a bargain!<br />
<br />
<b><i>Read Dance and Theatre College is a registered charity in the UK number 1142899 and supports young people in their training in the performing arts based on their talent and dedication, without their finances hindering their chances of succeeding in the industry.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i>To find out more about how to support the charity, contact us on 08451 307408, email admin@rdtc.org.uk or simply click on the link below.</i></b><br />
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<br />Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-51988631223272754692012-03-21T04:58:00.003-07:002012-03-21T06:03:35.420-07:00Reflections on mirrors<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniaSD1IGbeB-jR829g5IT48cfgCpVuiCscMnNlrsI2lzRucLxG2zkT5q5kW99uA1eP7oJQdgyBv-CbdA0YrJpVTFPPAkX_XgNd657w3VnKl8yNRlNZbf3TD39HOaEfe_aGpuWAlnprsDL/s1600/IMG-20120301-00103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniaSD1IGbeB-jR829g5IT48cfgCpVuiCscMnNlrsI2lzRucLxG2zkT5q5kW99uA1eP7oJQdgyBv-CbdA0YrJpVTFPPAkX_XgNd657w3VnKl8yNRlNZbf3TD39HOaEfe_aGpuWAlnprsDL/s200/IMG-20120301-00103.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Myra McCulloch Studio Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>We have the best students. No, really, we do. </b><br />
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With only 10 days to go until our move to the college's new home at Bulmershe Court our current year group have taken it upon themselves to help us fundraise for training mirrors at the new building. These mirrors will benefit not only our current crop, but also all of our future students as well, and they are a key part of training dancers.<br />
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The new space offers us a fantastic main studio, but as a former studio theatre there are no training mirrors on site at all. That's why we are looking to buy 4 portable mirrors mounted on wheels that we can use all over the space and then bring with us at any time in the future when we should find ourselves on the road again.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMnLkPrUZh_5xi_zS2fCoC3gGW7HO_ETdEfCYu5gw3UBH85kzl2uFBD16gqcolZ2VU8oOEzE0pwUsdU4ec_U6SxlJfbWb5ROy3Zm1VX6loppJygSibqfr2paWtN01uNytdStdP5k4FqX2/s1600/IMG-20120301-00111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMnLkPrUZh_5xi_zS2fCoC3gGW7HO_ETdEfCYu5gw3UBH85kzl2uFBD16gqcolZ2VU8oOEzE0pwUsdU4ec_U6SxlJfbWb5ROy3Zm1VX6loppJygSibqfr2paWtN01uNytdStdP5k4FqX2/s200/IMG-20120301-00111.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drama Studio at the new Read College</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As a charity dedicated to training talented young people in Theatre Arts, all of our annual budget is spent directly on training the students with no profits being made by anyone. That means that any additional costs - such as fitting out the new building - have to be paid for by raising funds through any means that we can! We are hugely grateful to the University of Reading (our new landlords) for providing us with this excellent space so generously. Now we need to maximise the benefits of the space for training our students, so that we can go on with our incredible success rate at getting students into further training in the Arts.<br />
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As part of their fundraising, the students are planning all kinds of events which I'm sure we will keep you posted about, and if you can help the students by sponsoring them for their events, or just donating a few pounds towards their target total of £1,500 then all you need to do is click on the button below. Don't forget to select 'Yes' in the Gift Aid box if you are a UK tax payer so that we can claim 25% tax relief on your donation.<br />
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Many thanks,<br />
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<b><i>Read College Team, and...</i></b><br />
<i>Emma, Sarah, Adam, Emma, Savannah, Jess, Emma, Natalie, Sophie, Lowri and Amy</i><br />
<b><i>The Read College Students 2011/12<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_GB/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" /></i></b></form>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-50384122067376523882012-03-15T13:18:00.000-07:002012-03-15T13:18:53.175-07:00Sign up for news!Read Dance and Theatre College now has a fantastic new mailing list system to keep all of our fantastic supporters up to date!<br />
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If you would like to know what we've been up to in our charitable and educational work, just sign up with your email address below. We promise not to send you a bunch of spam or any email we don't think you'll want to hear about, and we also won't pass your information on to anyone else.<br />
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Jamie, Helen and the TeamJamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-46610530673974090842012-02-28T09:48:00.000-08:002012-02-28T09:48:06.038-08:00A chance to get involved...February has been an exciting month for<a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/" target="_blank"> Read College</a>, with the announcement of our new building and also lots of training going on for the Reading Half Marathon. With both of these things coming to fruition in early April, we have never needed people to get involved in our work than we do now, so please read on for a moment longer...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDKcKl7MnAiP8Yo8tmjWXxnyhLjDdSuZyfSeXc2lYEj38mGFavBcDB4FJS8KLBI1XBgWU0QklRDSyDiFzSu0O2W3DpLMw3qZkF4EX2CdRV3p2mUEGo_aiMbgjbQcpyKNk-9TnuC5vXL85/s1600/_DSC8844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDKcKl7MnAiP8Yo8tmjWXxnyhLjDdSuZyfSeXc2lYEj38mGFavBcDB4FJS8KLBI1XBgWU0QklRDSyDiFzSu0O2W3DpLMw3qZkF4EX2CdRV3p2mUEGo_aiMbgjbQcpyKNk-9TnuC5vXL85/s200/_DSC8844.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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The college became registered as a charity last year, for the simple reason that 100% of the money we take in as tuition fees is then spent directly back on training the students. There is no profit margin for any company directors, and there are no support staff or admin staff who don't directly have an effect on training - just two very full-time Directors who deliver a large proportion of the course and run ALL of the office-based end of the college between them, and a fantastic team of expert tutors who each come in for their allotted hours each week. In our opinion, that's exactly how it ought to be, too.<br />
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Our charitable fundraising means that we can support talented young people who, for various reasons, would otherwise be unable to afford training to get a start in their career. Without the fundraising, some fantastic young people would be unable to access full-time vocational training and would therefore miss out on a potential career in the industry purely due to their family's financial circumstances.<br />
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Thanks to the support of the University of Reading's estates department with our new home, we will soon be able to concentrate just as much of this money directly on our students, whilst having spacious and purpose-built theatre training facilities to benefit them as well. Fantastic!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG31Dvbfo_i0__9aFS5A6Qy-XVlx7mt6YTKob1jJQ68xJEtpr9JoXYrEILriSX15ovNz5s56oR1nO3p0eALeDJEBXy70Dia67KRXvsdue44aEzQ4VH9yPwoSAOA6KAim67H2GSBTYy5CXv/s1600/_DSC9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG31Dvbfo_i0__9aFS5A6Qy-XVlx7mt6YTKob1jJQ68xJEtpr9JoXYrEILriSX15ovNz5s56oR1nO3p0eALeDJEBXy70Dia67KRXvsdue44aEzQ4VH9yPwoSAOA6KAim67H2GSBTYy5CXv/s200/_DSC9523.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucBo_ZuLc8SHNgdwNsY6pSYvDZbQDMW56Offwxex7ppHOjwUtkFutcnrdMUTAolSe5CYnCMQufqGMJcMfaJcK-BsiQWtIR6rwiuAmT2f3ePQX7tueFDDBcjHaGmv749GM78NBvR7hOb24/s1600/_DSC9492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucBo_ZuLc8SHNgdwNsY6pSYvDZbQDMW56Offwxex7ppHOjwUtkFutcnrdMUTAolSe5CYnCMQufqGMJcMfaJcK-BsiQWtIR6rwiuAmT2f3ePQX7tueFDDBcjHaGmv749GM78NBvR7hOb24/s200/_DSC9492.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Once we have moved in though, our fundraising mission gets even bigger. We need to raise over £1,500 for new training mirrors for example, so that our dancers can get the most out of their classes. We also need to fundraise for dance floors for some of the studios, and on top of this we need to make sure that we still have enough funding coming in to benefit the students who so badly need it.<br />
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If you think you can help in any way at all - anything from volunteering a bit of time or an idea, sponsoring one of our marathon runners a couple of pounds, right through to having your name attached to one of our new studios as a benefactor to the college - now is the time to get in touch. Remember, the money that you help us to raise doesn't go to a company or an individual, it goes directly to help the talented young students who need it most. Every single penny.<br />
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You can donate to us right now, by simply clicking here (and remember, if you're a UK tax payer you can help us even more by typing 'Yes' into the Gift Aid box so that we can claim tax relief on your donation) -<br />
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and even if you can't donate anything right now, you can still do us one favour... Could you forward this on to as many people as you know, to help them find out about the work that Read College is doing?<br />
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Thank you all so much.<br />
<br />
Jamie & Helen ReadJamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-34709465924537951422012-02-20T05:13:00.000-08:002012-02-20T05:13:21.918-08:00Our New HomeDear Friends,<br />
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It is with great excitement that I can announce the relocation of Read Dance and Theatre College to our very own site for the first time in our history.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Our new site is very exciting for us in many ways… It is a former campus of Reading University, having previously been their Film, Television and Theatre block know as the Myra McCulloch Building. It is located at Bulmershe Court, about 10 minutes from Junction 10 of the M4 and on a major road/public transport link from the town centre. The building comprises a fully-equipped drama studio, and vocal teaching room, a large storage area which will become our wardrobe department, various reception areas and offices etc, and – at its heart – a former 150 seat, 1900 SqF, studio theatre complete with sprung floors, huge windows, and a very theatrical atmosphere! There is also an old dressing room block which will become private tuition/practice rooms for the students.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our move will be taking place during the Easter break and we will be opening at the new site during April. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michelle at The Performing Arts Institute, which has been our home for the last 2 years, for everything that she has done for us - it has been a fantastic place to work!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I look forward to posting photos of the new building as we have them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jamie</div>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-57119016546538566722012-02-06T05:55:00.000-08:002012-02-06T08:25:44.663-08:00Please Sponsor us!On April 1st, a team of us from Read College will be running Reading Half Marathon. Jamie Read, Neil Missing and Read student Lowri Hughes will be running the full distance, with a fantastic relay team consisting of Helen Read, Eva Blanco, Michelle Legg and Seamus Allen all running a section each.<br />
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We are running to support the Read Dance & Theatre College Student Hardship Fund (charity no. 1142899), which has been set up to support young people through their training in the Performing Arts. These are talented and deserving young people whose talent we really want to be able to support and nurture, so please help us to help them! All you need to do is click here -<br />
<br />
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<br />
...and don't forget that we can claim Gift Aid on your donation if you are a UK tax payer, which adds around another 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you at all! All you need to do is say 'yes' when the donation page above asks you if we may claim Gift Aid on your donation.<br />
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Thank you for your help for these terrific young people...<br />
<br />
Jamie, Helen, Michelle, Eva, Seamus and NeilJamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-56958632046228406862012-01-31T09:01:00.000-08:002012-01-31T09:05:17.831-08:00Fundraising Marathon...Wow, first blog of the year, and it's almost February!<br />
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Since I last posted, I am pleased to say that I have officially started training for Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, April 1st 2012 to raise funds for our Student Hardship Fund. The fund is a major part of why we became a charity last year which, in a nutshell, is to ensure that we can take students based on their talent and not on their bank balance.<br />
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We have been very lucky in the past to have been able to help some really fantastic young people achieve their potential and go on to great things in the Performing Arts, and running the miles for my training at the moment is oddly reminiscent of being back on stage in my dancing days - little did I realise over a decade ago when I was kicking my heels up in Spirit of The Dance, that I would be using the fact that I'd survived that tour to motivate myself running around the streets of Berkshire! Funny how life goes around isn't it?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC60_x-bcQjbA4KyTvszay-rVCtqe2tCXKgktJnqMi6gBg9QOHsIXLjx4WzAVXDDWO6FW2rIt8GHxea5EAX2d2NOZJ6Obb858_-hr1thecC8ZYHUIsNnRVQj817kPk1A2h9eqL5L8vbA1/s1600/_DSC9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC60_x-bcQjbA4KyTvszay-rVCtqe2tCXKgktJnqMi6gBg9QOHsIXLjx4WzAVXDDWO6FW2rIt8GHxea5EAX2d2NOZJ6Obb858_-hr1thecC8ZYHUIsNnRVQj817kPk1A2h9eqL5L8vbA1/s320/_DSC9523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Graduates Joshua Pinder, Tommy Fox and Talitha Rye</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm not alone in my running either - I am being joined by a relay team of college teachers: Helen Read, Seamus Allen, Eva Blanco and Michelle Legg all of whom are running a quarter of the course each to assist in the fundraising mission. What a fantastic bunch of people we get to work with! Talented, dedicated, bonkers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3pRgCAOB00AUipmL_ttgP4rhspXilX1ftlgxvCjycspfi5wIaRGwwwb00BDszNibSzDK-ixWq-LI_ZXYZ-4nssnOAByKtsc8PTQ4NM8L5V9yeCpnYo9MOggyfht7gnAiBvW3saWyDzgF/s1600/_DSC9335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3pRgCAOB00AUipmL_ttgP4rhspXilX1ftlgxvCjycspfi5wIaRGwwwb00BDszNibSzDK-ixWq-LI_ZXYZ-4nssnOAByKtsc8PTQ4NM8L5V9yeCpnYo9MOggyfht7gnAiBvW3saWyDzgF/s200/_DSC9335.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>You can sponsor us via facebook on the Read Dance & Theatre College wall or by emailing in to the college address admin@rdtc.org.uk, and by doing so you know that the money we raise is going directly to help train talented young people who really need your help. Every little helps as they say, so go ahead and pledge a few pounds now!<br />
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Many thanks,<br />
<br />
Jamie<br />
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<b>www.rdtc.org.uk</b><br />
<b>Foundation Course in Musical Theatre</b><br />
<b>Foundation Course in Acting</b>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-10942187275949014412011-12-07T09:37:00.000-08:002011-12-07T09:43:34.937-08:00Lists, lists, listsAt this time of the year, Read students are pretty much focussed on one of the most important elements of their year with us: Auditions. A couple of hours, or in some cases even a couple of minutes, is how long they have to show the big dance and drama colleges that they are worthy and, ultimately, employable students.<br />
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This is a difficult task in itself, and there are many do's and don'ts that students have to watch out for to maximise their chances. But now, and increasingly, on top of all of this there are... The Lists. Variant, secretive, seemingly unending and totally unnecessary (in my opinion) lists. Lists of songs to sing, and lists of songs not to sing. Lists of speeches you should not choose. Lists of writers who's work they do not want to hear. Lists of speeches from which you may choose. Lists of writers from whom to select your speech. Even, in one notable case, a list showing other colleges' lists and refusing to see any of them. And to top it all off, the majority of these lists will not be given to anyone until after they have applied for an audition, so you're flying blind until your audition date comes through.<br />
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The whole idea of an audition is, surely, to judge whether a potential student is talented, hard working, has a knowledge of their chosen industry and a decent chance of working in it. I don't think it is sensible to audition anyone based on their administrative skills and their ability to navigate rules that neither help nor encourage them through the process. Or maybe that is the idea of the lists. Are we now in an industry so over-populated that we have to start ruling applicants out based on repertoire rather than talent or determination?<br />
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The major focus of the September to December term at Read is helping students to successfully prepare for their auditions. That means that we currently have some students working to so many lists for their chosen colleges that they are learning and rehearsing up to 5 Shakespeare speeches and 5 contemporary speeches at the same time, as well as preparing their 4 items of singing repertoire and all of their dance technique/knowledge - a feat that would make an old-school rep actor shudder.<br />
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It seems to me that the Theatre Training industry should show rather more cohesion and open-mindedness instead of this bias and confusion, or else we are in danger of losing some very talented young people from this industry on a point of technicality. None of us want to see the same old audition pieces over and over again, but equally I don't want to see any more theatrical off-side rules invented that act as stumbling blocks for talented young people.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh96PWpFKDRfXklEVQkFEFfFq103XMJwQWmNZI3Ruk9-Q50zKOPH_WJLCCvuab1Dpo7eqIp4tuzsvkzjRZPDu2UmhQ_QKBaeFQoir6_kmwSMjkUPWnXfnhWamquLwYCCB7rNPX4gUxQ-jM/s1600/_DSC2193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh96PWpFKDRfXklEVQkFEFfFq103XMJwQWmNZI3Ruk9-Q50zKOPH_WJLCCvuab1Dpo7eqIp4tuzsvkzjRZPDu2UmhQ_QKBaeFQoir6_kmwSMjkUPWnXfnhWamquLwYCCB7rNPX4gUxQ-jM/s200/_DSC2193.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-75488993011192468332011-11-29T12:48:00.000-08:002011-11-29T12:48:33.835-08:00Making a Statement<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I received an application for 2012 through from our website. The box marked 'Tell us why you want to audition for this course' read as follows (their use of capital letters, not mine):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">because i want to train more to be able audition for drama schools"</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Short and snappy? Concise and to-the-point? Well, maybe. But more honestly, for an answer that usually helps us get to know that candidate before their audition, it's lazy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">When colleges - or anywhere else for that matter - ask that question, it's so that we can get some idea of who the applicant is; what they want, what they know, what they care about. It is the applicant's chance to show us what knowledge they have of the industry and what they know about the course, because if they're serious about attending they will have done some research and will know how they could fit in. After all, it's no good applying to just anywhere, without having any idea about what to expect on the course and even whether it would provide you with what you're looking for.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Here are some tips for putting together a meaningful answer or personal statement:</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">1. Always do your research so that you know what the course will offer you and what the audition panel are going to be looking for, and make sure you cover some of this in your answer.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">2. Don't be too much of a sales person. It's great if you have a passion for your subject, but don't over-use that word and don't use dozens of exclamation marks... Although you want to let the audition panel know what you can do and how much you love it, don't ram it down their throat on the form.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">3. The main thing that colleges want to know is that you are going to be a successful graduate if they take you on. In our case, that means that you will be motivated, trainable, and have a good chance of getting into a top 2 or 3 year course when you graduate. In the case of the big 2 or 3 year schools, they want to know that you are going to be employable and good to work with, and carry the name of their college forwards into the industry.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">4. Don't get hung up on the West End. It is prestigious, rewarding and considered the top of the tree in Musical Theatre, but it is not the be-all and end-all and unless you are very lucky it won't make up the large majority of you early working life. Instead, know your industry. Regional theatres, touring theatre companies, lesser known writers, older more 'legit' shows - these all show an audition panel that you have a clear understanding of a career in the theatre world, and that you're not just a hobbyist who enjoys dancing and has seen one or two blockbuster shows in Town.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">5. Finally, make sure that you sound like 'you' in your statement or answer. Don't over-write it so that it becomes complicated and rambling, but equally don't be so brief that they have no idea about who you are or what you're about. Maybe get someone else to read it through and see if they could guess that it is you talking.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">If you're thinking of a career in the Acting or Musical Theatre, you can apply online at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/apply_now.php" target="_blank">www.rdtc.org.uk/apply_now.php</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"> - maybe using some of the tips above. I will look out for your application form!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLvl6fHPhYx-qyxSLuzRqZIk2nrNe7vImeXqcSFo6OqGda7rqnSXKVbHarROslnVBpqmpdcKCpBz8INkHwb3gMvb5kx5T05patbEyf0bdI6k14bL8xbqQ76sL_mAvcs5Ix6saWbeLX-rq/s1600/_DSC1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLvl6fHPhYx-qyxSLuzRqZIk2nrNe7vImeXqcSFo6OqGda7rqnSXKVbHarROslnVBpqmpdcKCpBz8INkHwb3gMvb5kx5T05patbEyf0bdI6k14bL8xbqQ76sL_mAvcs5Ix6saWbeLX-rq/s400/_DSC1560.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 Graduate, Natalie Issitt, now studying at Urdang Academy</td></tr>
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</span></span>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-16787601623840920682011-11-21T13:38:00.000-08:002011-11-21T13:38:52.366-08:00Friends, foundations and fundraisingWhat an amazing few weeks this has been in the life of Read College. Our first official fundraising event has raised an astonishing £1365.00 towards the 2012 Student Bursary fund thanks to some wonderful friends and supporters, and we have even had a cheque arrive through the letterbox from a movie star.<br />
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Recently, we've been contacting people with whom we have worked over the years to tell them about the work of Read College and the charity that we have established, and - on an off chance - I got a bit confident and emailed Judi Dench's agent (I was lucky enough to work with her eons ago as a child!). The agency were good and thorough enough to forward the message to her PA, and her PA was equally efficient and passed the email along to Judi Dench herself. It was a shock and a delight to receive a return email apologising that Dame Judi was unable to answer the email personally, due to being on set filming but that she would like to become a supporter of Read College and donate some money to fund our audition preparation master-classes for the season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMzHN0uFp3yKCZHFWSt189eW4iJe-5MQlfDbXj4foSJcQIkGfOmhA4E3fgkpxK3d_l7WOixGKZMaiM7wn_fuH8rddQpkxy9oKdgRZrct68eOQXdXD_Mn8uvzD-GSdtFSUbADt2jUi8erp/s1600/_DSC1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMzHN0uFp3yKCZHFWSt189eW4iJe-5MQlfDbXj4foSJcQIkGfOmhA4E3fgkpxK3d_l7WOixGKZMaiM7wn_fuH8rddQpkxy9oKdgRZrct68eOQXdXD_Mn8uvzD-GSdtFSUbADt2jUi8erp/s200/_DSC1855.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Meanwhile, we were also planning our first fundraising event for the college - An Evening of Cabaret with Jamie Read & Stars of The West End. In other words, I managed to convince some wonderful friends with whom I worked on various shows as an actor, to give up their time for free and sing to help raise funds and awareness. And that is exactly what they did. Juliette Caton (Martin Guerre), Shaun Dalton (Les Mis), Helen Power (Chess) and Ellie Verkerk as MD (Jersey Boys), all gave up their precious day off to come out to the wilds of West Berkshire and help us fly the flag.<br />
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The event was an incredible success, bringing together our students past and present, their families, our families, friends, colleagues and strangers, and showing them what we do and why we do it. People were incredibly generous with their time and money, and for both we are very grateful indeed.<br />
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So, in a time of austerity measures and funding cuts I am pleased to report that people's generosity of spirit seems to be as strong as ever. Thank goodness for great friends!<br />
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<a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.rdtc.org.uk</a>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2000576348025163315.post-13982360027958123292011-11-16T08:38:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:38:00.814-08:00Why audition for a Foundation Course?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Last week, we had our termly Advisory Board meeting with representatives of various sectors of the industry, who help us to ensure that Read College stays at the top of its game in Acting and Musical Theatre Foundation training.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">One thought that we spoke about with them was the difficulty that we face with the dozens of small scale, unaccredited three-year courses popping up all over the country at the moment. There is no harm in new colleges starting up - many have done a fantastic job and gone on to great things, but what happens to the students who enroll at less successful establishments which do not go on to get the respect and recognition of the industry?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">A quote from top Musical Theatre agent and Read College advisors, James Beresford: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">"Going to just any three-year course is a waste of time - no agents or casting people will see you at the end of it. Make sure you go to one of the colleges that the industry recognises".</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">And that is why we do what we do at Read. Last year 100% of our students were offered further training at schools including Urdang, Laines, Millenium and many others and they WILL get that industry exposure. That's why making the right choices early on, and spending the time to train at Foundation level is so important.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo67nlTTAfq_A1-wOfpsOAoZ9sHEwbZH9P4t1TaUL15xlsHV7aeEmhSahRNo_J5oaXLwFh-nQDd2veUag9GzMnSBMpyvPv4y6fP-wH9zSHD3e1bdB3pMh9P6VriG6kn5Lj4GLaz9fJiDtn/s1600/_DSC1817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo67nlTTAfq_A1-wOfpsOAoZ9sHEwbZH9P4t1TaUL15xlsHV7aeEmhSahRNo_J5oaXLwFh-nQDd2veUag9GzMnSBMpyvPv4y6fP-wH9zSHD3e1bdB3pMh9P6VriG6kn5Lj4GLaz9fJiDtn/s320/_DSC1817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">So, if you are considering training in the industry, remember - do your research, and make sure the places that you audition at are going to get you to where you want to be. If they're not, or if you don't get in to those courses first time round... Well, you know what to do.<a href="http://www.rdtc.org.uk/courses.html" target="_blank">www.rdtc.org.uk/courses.html</a></span></blockquote>Jamie Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16874976285888286220noreply@blogger.com0