The Drama Lab

ABOUT THE TEACHER ~ JULIE DICKSON

Julie gained an Higher Diploma in Education in 1980 from Graaff Reinet Teacher’s Training College, and then went on to major in Visual Art at Mowbray Teacher’s Training College in Cape Town. With a rich upbringing in theatre as a basis, she also qualified in Musical Theatre Performance and Drama Teaching through Trinity College, London (ATCL and LTCL). She performed extensively at the Port Elizabeth Opera House, Artscape Opera House and Baxter Theatre (Cape Town). She has played numerous leads in musicals such as Annie get your Gun (Annie Oakley), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drood), Carousel (Carrie), The Boyfriend (Maisie), South Pacific (Nellie), The King and I (Anna Leonowens) and Fiddler on the Roof (Golde) amongst other productions. Cape Times Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress Nominations (5) and awards (2).

Julie has been teaching in the Arts and Culture and Dramatic Arts context since 1981 (34 years) and is currently Head of Dramatic Arts at Elkanah House where she teaches Grades 7 to 12 (IEB). She is experienced in directing, using her vocal and performance expertise to train high school and adult students to hone their theatrical skills in productions, examination performances and auditions for tertiary training. Some of the productions she has directed are Joseph, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Our Town, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Curricular showcase work has featured Modernist 20th Century plays, Shakespearean, Post-Modern, Absurdist excerpts and Physical Theatre. She has a particular interest in training high school students and young adults in practical performance according to the textual needs of classical plays and musicals.

ABOUT THE CONTENT OF CLASSES

Julie will be teaching all aspects of Dramatic Arts (acting, voice, body, characterization, improvisation, textual exploration, internal motivation and examination preparation). All pupils registered with The Drama Lab are strongly encouraged to do examinations with Trinity College, London as examining body. The criteria laid out in the course outline will dictate the subject matter of theory and practical classes. In some cases, theory lessons will be taught in small groups which can free up lessons for more practical work.

ABOUT TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON

Trinity College London offers an impressive choice of qualifications for training students and teachers of drama subjects, at all levels of experience and ability – Grade, Diploma, Licentiate and Fellowship. The syllabus provides a structured framework designed to encourage the progressive development of integrated performance over time. The solo and pair graded exams and diplomas are fully accredited in the UK and recognised internationally.
Exams can be taken by individuals (high school and adult), pairs or groups (junior high). Study strands include Speech and Drama, Individual Acting Skills, Group Performance, Shakespeare, Choral Speaking, Musical Theatre and Performance Arts. Each examination has an attached fee which covers international examiners and certificates.
Students enjoy an entirely free choice of repertoire in all examinations, and are encouraged to explore the literature and drama of their own culture. Students are expected to do theory and practical lessons at The Drama Lab to underpin their grasp of voice, body and the social and historical background behind the movements and eras in theatre. Students will explore improvisation, vocal interpretation, and character development; they will delve deeply into the practices of Stanislavsky, Strasberg, Laban, Grotowsky and other drama practitioners.