Masterclasses

37 Free Masterclasses at George Free
As part of the
Musical Theatre at George Square season
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Aug 2008

With thousands of performers, writers, producers, directors and committed audience members descending of Edinburgh through August, CGO is preparing a programme to allow each and all to run away from their current show and go back to school for 90 minutes, in the company of some teachers and guides across every facet of Musical Theatre creation. 

In conjunction with the University of Edinburgh Festivals Office, located at Alison House, the University Music Department, each class will be for a max of 25 people (*) and places can be booked via the Fringe office, at the Musical Theatre at George Square box office or www.festivals.ed.ac.uk in the unusual way.  (* a few classes are marked for fewer people – check with the box office).

Tutors include John Sparks, from Theatre Building Chicago flying in for just two days, David James, chair of the UK Writers Guild Theater Writing Committee,  Des O’Connor ukulele, vaudeville and musical theatre composer, Donna Soto-Moretini who’s work as vocal coach and guide on Nancy, Joseph and Maria searches gives her a unique insight into “the Reality of Reality” and audition techniques to get you through, Richard Jordan looking at producing in Edinburgh and beyond, Chris Grady  hoping to give a few insights into sponsorship, fundraising and developing new work, and Anne Marie Lewis Thomas, composer, teacher, and director of the new Musical Theatre Academy in in London.

Bookwriters and composers will share their experience, and challenge perceptions of Musical Theatre in a series of classes led by Julian Wolford, Susannah Pearse, Trevor Alexander. Directors and Choreographers will explore staging Musical Theatre led by Dr Nick Phillips, Sally Rapier, Helen and Jamie Read.  And there’ll be a chance to explore Improv, songwriting with the Showstopper team of Adam McGuido and Dylan Emery.

Writers of Musical Theatre will have two sessions when they can “pitch” new work and new ideas to a panel led by Andy Barnes, the creator and director of Perfect Pitch Development and look at ways that writers can develop their work, their craft, and their chances.

Musical Theatre at George Square is a first year collaboration between the University and CGO to host a dedicated programme of new work and new productions at the very heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Running from July 31st – Aug 25th across 3 paid performance venues and the masterclass spaces.  Below George 1 there will be the Singers’ Café every night where performers can do their stuff, and throughout the day the Café and Dress Circle (the west end music store open for business in Edinburgh this August) will welcome performers, musical theatre lovers, and passers by on the way to the Meadows.  Drop in and see what’s happening.

To download the schedule for all the masterclasses, please click here.