SYLLABUS
MSD is a school of drama specializing in young people. The company was set up originally in Inverurie in 1983, and then in the West-End of Glasgow in 1988, where it ran very successfully until Rhona's return to Aberdeenshire in 1998. The aim is to develop ability and enjoyment in drama, to extend imagination by exploring ideas and situations created by the pupils themselves, and develop skills required as a performer and stage worker.
The emphasis overall is on confidence building, and working as part of a team. The aim is to make drama an enjoyable experience while gaining skills which will be useful in many aspects of life.
Many of MSD's former students have gone on to study drama full-time; many are working professionally as actors, directors; in television and as teachers
Rhona Mitchell, BA (Hons), Dip S&D TQSE, LGSM, LLAM (Hons) is MSD's Co-coordinator and Teacher. Rhona is an experienced teacher/director, who set up MSD. She has worked professionally on stage and for radio. Rhona has been a freelance voice coach, drama tutor and director since 1982, working at Scottish Television, BBC Scotland and in many theatres.
Performances - MSD has performed in Inverurie Town Hall, The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Woodend Barn, Stewart’s Hall Huntly, in the specially created studio theatre for the Garioch Theatre Festival in the Wyness Hall and also in some unlikely spaces - Haddo House Park for Kaleidoscope Festival, Inverurie Town Square, Mitchell’s Dairy, and in St Andrew’s, St Mary’s and the West Churches in Inverurie. The emphasis is on giving students the chance to take part in many different types and styles of theatre. They have had the chance to act in freshly commissioned works, 'An Evening of Senility', 'Outcast', 'The Eagle Has Flown'; Shakespeare, and pieces devised by the students themselves such as ‘Lottie’.
The Examination Classes do drama and speech games, poetry speaking, sight reading, text work, choral speaking, improvisation and mime. MSD's results are consistently high; examiners often commenting on the standard of work achieved. Many entrants have now achieved the medal grades.
Seniors also do voice and speech exercises and theory. MSD use London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art*, who travel twice a year to Inverurie for these examinations. It is not essential for students to do exams, but they are available to those who wish to enter.
Some of the examinations available are:
Speaking of Verse and Prose, Spoken English, Acting (Solo, Duo and Group), Improvisation.
There is a fee payable for entry to each examination.
*The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1861, it quickly established itself as a centre of excellence in performance training. LAMDA has provided theatre and the world of film and television with generation upon generation of first-class actors and expertly-trained stage managers across the world.
LAMDA began offering speech examinations to the public in the 1880s. Since then, these examinations have been refined and developed into a comprehensive system of performance evaluation by experts in education, acting and communication. In addition to being the UK’s largest statutory speech and drama awarding body, LAMDA Examinations has a reputation for excellence across the globe.
LAMDA examinations are designed to equip candidates, whatever their age or aspirations, with a range of skills that will serve them throughout life.
LAMDA examinations are accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). This places them within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), for comparison to other qualifications.
A number of LAMDA Examinations’ QCA-Accredited higher level qualifications have been included in the UCAS Tariff.
The Performance Class does character work, text work, improvisation, singing, movement. This class works towards performances of some kind. Students may be called for extra rehearsals nearer the time. This group requires a high level of commitment, in terms of line-learning and attendance at class. Entry is by interview.
The Workshops are enjoyed by many students, either as a general introduction, or as a class to be enjoyed without too much pressure.
Students cover character, improvisation, and general stage training.
The Musical Theatre class on Saturdays covers all the disciplines of song, drama and movement and usually works towards a small performance each term.
The class is open to all Aged 8 and upwards.
