SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production 2021

Tragedy. Corruption. Rebellion. Love. Honour. Redemption.
Romeo & Juliet. Measure for Measure. Henry IV Part I.

Experience how Shakespeare’s works and themes take on a new light; 48 students from around Aotearoa join together to present a selection of scenes from these plays.

Revel in their performance - the culmination of 5 half days of rehearsals with esteemed directors Mel Cook, Tom McCrory and Jonathon Price, workshops led by remarkable tutors and an inspiring adventure around Wellington.

This is not old school Shakespeare - this is the exhilarating SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production.

~ ~ ~ ~ About SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production ~ ~ ~ ~

Covid-willing, 46 young people selected from Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand’s 24 Regional and National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals will descend on Wellington, with the Supreme Winners of SGCNZ’s Costume Design and Music Composition Competitions for SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production week at the beginning of October.

Divided into 3 groups, the students will work on 40 minutes of scenes from 3 plays, Romeo & Juliet, Measure for Measure and Henry IV Part I, directed by Mel Cook, Tom McCrory and Jonathon Price respectively. The challenge for the 15-18 year olds is, in 5 half days, being cast, learning lines and rehearsing, culminating in a public performance at the Sky Stadium (inside!) on 9 October.

With fight scenes being prevalent in a number of Shakespeare plays, learning how to perform these safely makes the Stage Combat Workshop, taken by Simon Manns, an obvious inclusion. Heightened awareness of effective but safe contact means the Intimacy one, taken by Lori Leigh, is also vital for these young people. Voice and singing, dance, historical context and acting techniques will be covered in others.

In these anxiety-filled times, one of the most significant outcomes of the SGCNZ NSSP week is the camaraderie and long-term friendships and support networks which are established.

“Whether it is helping each other through difficult times and sharing strategies, or developing new works and performance co-ops, or being given opportunities to develop and share their skills as they progress in life, NSSP over the years has provided ‘safety nets’, personal and professional development,” said SGCNZ CEO, Dawn Sanders.

Half of the group will be chosen to, hopefully, go to Shakespeare’s Globe in London in the middle of next year as members of SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company.

For more information about Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand please visit our website.

Enter via main gates (on right next to security gatehouse).
Proceed through the corporate entrance and up the escalator to Members Gallery on level 4.
Free parking in stadium car park.