How I avoided making a crisis out of this drama - my RADA training experience - part 1

Ignoring tempting images of a fortnight in the Bahamas or cloudless skies in the Seychelles as an escape from England’s uncertain summer weather, 

 

I opted for a busman’s holiday:

 . 

Instead, at the end of August I set off on a daily commute to spend 12-hour days at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to subject myself to a course in theatre directing, led by Sue Dunderdale. On the first day I encountered the pitfalls of taking a training course when I’ve been operating my Resound Training business for the past 11 years.

Initially I could not stop myself from assessing the tutors’ educational styles. But that was probably my defence mechanism against the discomfort of being a pupil again rather than in my usual training role.

I employ drama in my company’s Forum Theatre programme, creating real life scenarios to bring swift and effective communication methods for organisations going through change.

My RADA objective was to upgrade my knowledge of directing actors to enhance the way they help our audiences in sectors such as NHS, Local Government, professional services, finance and social housing find solutions to their problems.

By Day 2, I had left behind my work persona, recognising that, as I was paying for the expertise of the UK’s top drama school, I should accept they knew more than I did.

Although I am used to working with a tried and tested group of actors to perform regularly in front of corporate audiences, it was daunting to be faced with directing RADA students picked for their potential to be the best in the world.

I knew in advance I would be required to direct either an existing piece of theatrical text or a piece of my own writing. Never one to take the easy route when a more challenging one is available, I opted to devise an original 15-minute piece forming the middle of three acts.

Would I be able to manage it with just 11 days to produce the finished work, with 3 actors I had never worked with before in front of an audience of some of the best practitioners in the business?

Comments

[Marie Taylor]

Well- can it get any better than a theatre Director trained by RADA Gill! Your participants on the Forum Theatre workshops will experience even more as a result of this - If that is possible! Well done you.

[Claire Raikes]

Oh you big tease... and what a perfect post 'doof doof' point! So obvious you've done this creative writing thing before Gill... I'm on the edge of my seat... can't wait 'til the next instalment. :)