Young Bards is a series of creative workshops and performance opportunities for young people aged 7 to 18. These programmes, productions and classes aim to meet the demands of students, teachers and actors in our community, ranging from an introduction to acting and Shakespeare and week long holiday programmes to intensive workshops for VCE students requiring specific support to meet their goals.

With the Young Bards programme the Australian Shakespeare Company extends its vision of exciting, contemporary theatre produced the way Shakespeare intended – unshackled from traditional constraints, accessible and above all entertaining for everyone.

Skip to summaries:
In School Program
School Holiday Drama Workshops
Year Long Program: Introduction to Acting
Bravehearts
Masterclasses/Tutoring

News, photos and more at our Young Bards Facebook page:

“Your performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream completely revolutionized my students’ attitude to Shakespeare. How can I thank you for what you have done for these students?” Jo Vandermark, Teacher

"Thanks for your great work last week… it exceeded expectations! There has been a transformation in the way in which the class is responding to the play.  No longer are they simply reading words from the page – they are far more engaged in the play itself and the characters that make up the play.” Bob Hillman, Trinity Grammar School

In School Program

Tap into the experience and expertise of the Australian Shakespeare Company's actors, directors and educators with our programs for Theatre Studies and English students and teachers benefit too with our one-on-one intensive to help develop your Shakespeare unit.

Play on Shakespeare, Shakespeare Intensive, Shakespeare Characterisation, Professional Approach, Shakespeare Unit Development

School Holiday Drama Workshops

During the January, Term 2 and Term 3 school holidays we offer aspiring performers aged 9 to 18 a variety of week long and short courses to develop skills in acting, communication and interpretation.

January school holidays - 2 to 21 January 2012
Shakespeare Mosh Pit 1.0 and 2.0. Enrolments now open!

"My grand-daughter LOVED her week in Shakespeare Mosh Pit and said each day was even better than then previous one which had been ace!" - grandmother of Saskia aged 11

Year Long Program: Introduction to Acting

Imagination is the only pre-requisite for this year-long course of fun-packed drama classes for young people aged 9 to 13! In a small class of only 16 they’ll discover the essentials of movement and voice plus key skills for creating colourful, believable characters.

Enrolments now open!

Term 1: Bravehearts 1.0 'As You Like It'

Not many aspiring young actors have the chance to prove they have what it takes with some meaty stage experience. Our Young Bards Bravehearts 1.0 program provides actors aged 15 to 18 with just that: an incredible opportunity to further hone thier acting skills with expert guidance from our team of industry professionals, culminating in performances of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' to the general public. Applications to audition are now closed.

Information about Bravehearts 2.0 for older actors will be available in early 2012.

"Being a part of such an amazing cast with the direction and knowledge from some brilliant actors from the Australian Shakespeare Company is an experience I'll never forget. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity to learn so much about acting and everything I have gained I will take with me through the years." Matt aged 18

"Without doubt, the opportunity to work with the Australian Shakespeare Company, and the amazing wealth of knowledge and experience it has given me, has been the highlight of my fledgling career." Jack aged 18

Masterclasses/Tutoring

Reap the benefits of one on one engagement with our Shakespeare monologue experts in a group masterclass setting or through individual tutoring. Drawing on a range approaches and methodologies to acting, voice and physical dexterity, individuals will become more aware of their own blocks and walk away with a toolkit for the future.

Enrolments now open!