The Society Summer School at the Royal Academy of Music, Brush Up Your Sondheim! was held on 21st and 22nd July 2012.
The school was for anyone interested in Sondheim, and we had a great mix of people turn up, including Society members, musical theatre students, and theatregoers. There was a range of activities to suit everyone, from practical workshops to talks and lectures about Sondheim.
You can view a selection of photographs taken during the weekend by clicking HERE.
The programme for the weekend was as follows:
SATURDAY 21st JULY:
10.30 – Keynote address (speaker David Benedict)
11.00 – Break
11.15 – Performing Sondheim, a Q&A session led by producer Danielle Tarento (Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Playhouse, etc) with a panel of actors: Scarlett Strallen, Michael Jibson, Martin Dickinson, and Tim McArthur.
12.15 – Masterclass with Jeremy Sams, featuring young musical theatre performers and advanced students, including Tanya Lewis, Antony Lawrence, Craig Rhys Barlow, Bella Barlow, Blake Askew and others.
1.00 – Lunch break
2.00 – A Director’s Perspective, a Q&A session with Jonathan Kent (Sweeney Todd, Chichester Festival Theatre and Adelphi Theatre), chaired by David Benedict.
3.00 – Masterclass session 2 (Jeremy Sams)
3.45 – Tea break
4.00 – Masterclass session 3 (Jeremy Sams)
5.00 – End
SUNDAY 22nd JULY:
10.45 – A Musical Director’s Perspective, illustrated talk by Gareth Valentine (Into the Woods – Open Air Theatre, Regents Park)
12.00 – Sondheim on Film, illustrated talk by Dr Olaf Jubin (Regent’s College and Goldsmiths College)
1.00 – Lunch break
2.00 – Practical acting and music workshops with Michael Strassen (Assassins, Company) Rupert Young (Company, Southwark Playhouse), Cassidy Janson (Company, Southwark Playhouse) and musical directors Stuart Pedlar and Trevor Defferd
2.00 – Exploring Sondheim – a themed “treasure hunt” (optional alternative activity to the practical workshops) with David Ovenden
4.00 – Workshop performances.
5.00 – End
