Task 1  - Write a short review of a musical theatre performance you have watched within the last 6 months to a year. This should preferably be a live Musical Theatre performance but if this is not possible a recorded performance will be fine.

Consider specific things you observed as an audience member. Discuss the quality and skill of the performances, how the story was told and areas that you found particularly engaging or moving.  Please avoid just writing a synopsis!  Approx 400-800 word count. 

Task 2 - Choose one song from the following list, and learn from memory. You should set your song, thinking about character and context of the piece. All backing tracks are available to download from the Summer assignment folder at the bottom of the page.

FEMALE VOCAL RANGE

I Don't Know How to Love Him - Jesus Christ Superstar

Practically Perfect - Mary Poppins

That's The Way it Is - & Juliet

MALE VOCAL RANGE

Leaning on a Lampost - Me and My Girl

Your Song - Moulin Rouge

Task 3

Choose one of the monologues from the Summer Assignment folder at the bottom of the page. You should learn your monologue and set your monologue, thinking about character and context of the piece. 

Task 1  - Write a review on a piece which has inspired you recently, either live or recorded. This should be word processed and be between 400-800 words.

Task 2 - Select one of the tracks from the list below, and choreograph a solo, in a style of your choice. The solo should be around 1 minute 30 seconds. Tracks are available to download in the Summer assignment folder at the bottom of the page.

Die on this Hill- Sienna Spiro

Lost- Luz

Stateside- Zara Larsson

Jealous Type- Doja Cat

Baby I’m A Star- Prince

Too Darn Hot- Broadway Cast Recording

Written Task

Please can you write a short review of an Acting performance you have watched and loved within the last 6 months to a year. This could be live in the theatre, or on film or tv. Tell me what made it special - and try and be specific [not easy] - you could either talk about a whole piece/play/film - or one specific performance within it.

Can you also write two short paragraphs answering the following questions:

What are the key skills an actor requires?

What are your current acting strengths and weaknesses, and what would you like to develop at ESPA?

Approx 500 - 800 words

Practical Fun Task

Try something new this summer - and then tell us about it in a group chat in September. It could be visiting a new art gallery, trying a new form of exercise, visiting a new town/place, trying a new activity, learning a new language, reading a new book/author. Have a think, find something you have never done before - and be prepared to tell us how it went!

King Lear Research Task

Find out the story/synopsis of King Lear [we are seeing it in September!] -  King and three daughters…!

Acting Task

Learn two pieces of material - that will both be performed in the first week at ESPA.

1 The Puck monologue ‘If we shadows’ from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

2 The duologue and short monologue [all lines] from the modern play Buckets [learn from ‘I just don’t understand why’ to ‘I’ll be stuck behind’

Research both plays - to give you a contextual understanding. Rehearse the lines by speaking them slowly out loud. Learn the words well, and speak them clearly - value these two things more than how you might act them. Let your instincts guide you and have fun with each piece!

Task 1: Watch a recorded stage production (many are available online) and write a review discussing the following:

• • The Acting/Vocals

  • Set design

  • Costume

  • Overall effectiveness

  • Favourite moment

This must be one side of A4 and a maximum of size 12 font. 

Task 2: Choose one of the practical tasks below, and work on this over the summer break, ready to perform your material to the group during induction. You should ensure you know the context of the piece, and prepare your piece considering character and setting. All resources can be found in the Summer Assignment folder at the bottom of this page. 

Songs (Boys) : Corner of the Sky - Pippin, / Proud of your Boy- Aladdin

Songs (Girls) : The Girl I mean to be- Secret Garden/ Journey to the Past - Anastasia

Monologue: Suitable for anyone: Ben’s Monologue from Peak Stuff by Billie Collins

1.30-2 min solo dance to either: Training Season - Dua Lipa / Rush - Troye Sivan / Feeling Good - Micheal Bublé / A Little Party Never Killed Nobody - Fergie.

• Find a book, TV show or film that you feel should be adapted into a play (actors), musical (MT students) or a dance piece (dancers).

• Create a presentation giving a summary of your chosen book, TV show or film. Why do you feel that this would translate well to stage?

Make sure to include the following in your presentation:

• An inspiration board that captures the mood and feel of the show

• A few famous actors (or dancers) that you would cast as main characters and why?

• Who would you choose to direct or choreograph this stage production and why?

• What music would be used in this piece? Find a few songs that you would want to be used in it

• Describe the production, what kind of space do you see it being performed in? What type of audience is this intended for?

You will present this to your class during Tutorial when we start in September