Honing your craft

Since its inception just over 10 years ago, Masquerade Theatre Arts School has been a pioneer in introducing the concept of the summer theatre school to our islands. And this summer they are at it again, with an impressive array of foreign tutors to impart and fine-tune the acting skills of the young and less so. The school runs for two weeks from July 21 to August 2 and during this period students will be coached in interpretation and technique.

The three tutors engaged by Masquerade for summer school 2008 are leading West End musical director, Steve Clark, an old friend of Masquerade theatre director Andy Smith, and UK choreographer Becky Elliott-Moore. Ms Elliott-Moore will be participating in the school for the first time. Her specialist area is dance and movement, where she is equally at home with hip-hop and classical ballet. In Malta she will be exploring a synthesis of different styles to create a unique fusion or original movement language. This should be both challenging and fun - and all activities are designed to encompass the absolute beginner and those with some existing experience.

Ms Elliott-Moore regularly gives classes at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and she also works with students from all over the world, at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom,while at the same time pursuing her freelance career as a director, performer and teacher.

Towards the end of the second week of the Masquerade Summer Experience the students will have the opportunity to present a performance for their families and friends.