Drama in West Coast USA

Both leading cultural centres worldwide, bustling Los Angeles and cosmopolitan San Francisco are filled with innovative, inspiring creativity and energy for all the Arts. 

Pavilion groups will be accommodated on a bed and breakfast basis in comfortable hostels and hotels well-located for local shops, cafes and diners. The majority of accommodation has two double beds for four students sharing, which is the norm in the USA.

Staff and students will appreciate the year-round good weather of the West Coast, as well as the beautiful vistas of the Pacific. A wide range of attractions is available in both destinations, accessed either by coach or by public transport. There is a diverse selection of shopping including the very popular Pier 39 in San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz; or The Hollywood and Highland Mall in LA, extremely close to the Walk of Fame.

Wider curriculum links: Offering superb Performing Arts facilities in a vibrant cosmopolitan environment, these two US West Coast cities communicate a natural link between Performing Arts and other curriculum areas such as Art and Geography.

Drama Specialist Activities

First Take Workshop (San Francisco)
Belonging to a family closely involved in the Hollywood industry, First Take is committed to developing the specific skills required for acting for film and television. Students can also benefit from learning the business aspects of the industry, a knowledge imperative for any actor desiring to break into the competitive film and television market.

Bats Improv workshop (San Francisco)
The Bay Area’s leading centre for Improvisational Theatre, Bats Improv offers students the chance to develop the ability to tell stories collaboratively and work in the moment. Improvisation is an excellent tool for improving verbal expression, enhancing listening skills, building body awareness, and boosting self-confidence.

Universal Studios VIP Backlot Tour (Los Angeles)
Not only a theme park with thrilling rides, included in your admission ticket is a behind the scenes tour of a massive Hollywood film set built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg. Upgrade to the VIP Student Backlot tour in order to visit working soundstages, closed sets and the prop warehouse.

Paramount Studios Tour (Los Angeles)
A two hour educational and historical tour offering a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a working studio lot.

Sony Pictures Studio Tour (Los Angeles)
A two hour walking tour of the Sony Pictures movie lot, formerly home to MGM,  “where movie history was made, from Wizard of Oz  to Spider-Man”. Groups will have a chance to step onto soundstages for motion pictures and subject to filming schedules may drop by the sets of the hit TV game shows “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” 

TV Studio Audience - subject to availability (Los Angeles)
An amazing opportunity to be an audience member during a live TV show taping.

Curriculum Values

Specialist workshops, available on request

In-line with National Curriculum Key Concepts and Processes for Drama, our programmes encourage students to:

• Practice and develop core skills, including – movement, body awareness, blocking and choreography
• Explore the range and application of body movement and spatial awareness
• Apply vocal and breath control skills, and develop voice projection
• Further develop capabilities in prop use
• Use improvisation and characterisation in their performance
• Develop the use of text and script
• Interact with other performers on stage and backstage
• Evaluate their own and others’ work