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School of Excellence 2022
Mondays 4.30pm-8.00pm
Year long advanced acting classes for teenagers
Held at Australian Acting Academy HQ
31 Stevenson St Paddington
Year long advanced acting classes for teenagers
Held at Australian Acting Academy HQ
31 Stevenson St Paddington

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Designed for 11-14 year olds, youth ext 1 is where the extension journey begins for our youngest extension students. You will find this both challenging and exciting. This will be your first time working at an advanced level. You will work with us to expand your awareness, mind, voice and body beyond what you felt possible. These are the essential tools for any actor to master. You will also be introduced to the concept of personal development and how we can help you hurdle over any acting or life obstacles through understanding the 5 agreements of extension, these are:
- Take Responsibility instead of blaming yourself or others.
- Make Conscious Choices instead of being reactive.
- Accept Consequences instead of justifying behaviour and avoiding consequences.
- Choose Kindness over the need for being right.
- Seek Help instead of going it alone.
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Introduction to vocal and physical dynamics
- Introduction to advanced acting techniques.
- Ensemble building and devising
- Introduction to basic script analysis
- Taking creative risks
- Performing advanced open scripts
- Introduction stage craft
- Beginner monologue analysis and performance
- Developing discipline and focus in class
- Introduction to taking direction
- Live stage performance
Designed for 12-14 year olds, youth ext 2 students will have either already completed youth ext 1 or have auditioned at a very high standard. Youth ext 2 builds upon your capability to show discipline, focus and work with an ensemble with the added bonus of exploring a whole new acting medium, acting for camera. You will experience a rush of growth during this year as we continue working with you on the 5 agreements of extension, encouraging you to gain a deeper understanding. You will take skills learnt in youth ext 1 and experience them at an intermediate level.
The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Beginners scene analysis
- Introduction to intermediate acting techniques.
- Physical movement routine
- Write and perform a performance poetry
- Introduction to acting for camera
- Intermediate level vocal dynamics
- Ensemble singing lessons
- Introduction to journaling
- Introduction to vulnerability for stage
- Original performance through journaling
- Developing a devised themed performance
Extension 1 is where most teenagers auditioning for the extension stream begin. Designed for 14-16 year olds this is often the first time students will have experienced working at a pre-industry standard. The techniques and practices that you will experience throughout extension 1 would normally be reserved for university students. This is where you really start to find your feet as a professional actor. With an emphasis on building self-discipline, focus and a work ethic, the 5 agreements of extension are applied at a deeper practical level. Your coaches will work you hard, but you will be incredibly satisfied and impressed by the work you produce throughout the year. Extension coaches truly guide students to develop acting and life skills that will give you head start in the creative industry and in life. The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Develop a physical and vocal warm-up routine
- Intermediate scene analysis
- Expansion of Intermediate acting techniques.
- Expansion of journaling skills
- Develop critical thinking practices
- Intermediate vulnerability for stage experiences
- Exploring and understanding stage presence and performance craft
- Small group devising activities
- Scene performance for stage
- Choral, physical theatre, and strong scene work for showcase
Designed for 15-16 year olds, most students who attend ext 2 will have already completed extension 1. While it is rare, it is possible through exceptional class work and auditions to allow you to be directly invited into the ext 2 stream. To start off your intensive ext 2 experience, we will have you leaning heavily into the 5 agreements and focusing on practical life coaching skills with the aim in mind to build your strength and resilience in a supportive and encouraging ensemble environment. This shift in focus will give you an overwhelming sense of self belief as we equip you with the skills needed to take on your increasingly challenging work content and school commitments. We then change gears, and move you into intermediate and advanced techniques across the board to help build your acting capability to an intermediate professional industry standard.
The core skills taught throughout this year include:
- Advanced improvisation techniques
- Advanced vulnerability techniques
- Advanced scene work.
- Intermediate acting techniques for camera
- Intermediate scene work for camera
- Reading and breaking down short plays
- Develop an autonomous physical and vocal warm-up routine
- Advanced scene analysis
- Advanced play short play analysis
- Advanced acting techniques
- Regular journaling for self development
- Develop performance through journaling
- Intermediate mindfulness practice
- Introduction to long form improvisation
- Scene performance for stage
- Development and performance of shortly plays for showcase
Designed for 16-19 year olds, ext 3 requires students to have attended ext 2. The focus of ext 3 is to make sure you have an in-depth understanding of the creative industry and begin to foster your creative passion and identity. You will begin to find where you fit in and grow your creative personality as we continue to focus on your personal development through this year. We will give you as many performance and practical acting experiences so you feel confident and ready to step into the professional creative industry. You will receive individual guidance and begin to develop a plan on how you will move forward into the industry and into life. Guest instructors are a large part of extension 3, as we want you to begin to build your industry network and experience as many different styles of coaching and directing as possible.
The core skills taught throughout this year include:
- Expansion of advanced improvisation techniques
- Expansion of advanced vulnerability techniques
- Advanced monologue work
- Advanced scene work.
- Develop a monologue performance
- Develop individual work for camera and stage
- Advanced acting techniques for camera
- Reading and breaking down plays.
- Understanding character and story arch.
- Take responsibility and implement their own physical and vocal warm-up routine.
- Expansion of advanced scene analysis
- Expansion of advanced acting techniques
- Regular journaling for self development
- Develop polished performance through journaling
- Advanced mindfulness practice
- Advanced experience of long form improvisation
- Advanced scene work for camera
- Advanced scene performance for stage
- Development and performance of a play for showcase
After being in the extension stream, to have it end abruptly doesn’t seem beneficial for you as you may be wanting to build your professional industry experience and network. Designed for 17-28 year olds, the young adults studio is created for all past extension students to come and continue their training in an ongoing manner. This class will also be open to non extension students from within and outside the academy via an audition process. Classes will occur in 4 week commitment blocks, and you can choose to stay for as long as you feel the classes are providing value to your acting and personal growth. In addition to advanced acting techniques and scene work, these classes are designed to help young adults create new networks and encourage you to develop and build your own professional portfolio and body of work.
Designed for 11-14 year olds, youth ext 1 is where the extension journey begins for our youngest extension students. You will find this both challenging and exciting. This will be your first time working at an advanced level. You will work with us to expand your awareness, mind, voice and body beyond what you felt possible. These are the essential tools for any actor to master. You will also be introduced to the concept of personal development and how we can help you hurdle over any acting or life obstacles through understanding the 5 agreements of extension, these are:
- Take Responsibility instead of blaming yourself or others.
- Make Conscious Choices instead of being reactive.
- Accept Consequences instead of justifying behaviour and avoiding consequences.
- Choose Kindness over the need for being right.
- Seek Help instead of going it alone.
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Introduction to vocal and physical dynamics
- Introduction to advanced acting techniques.
- Ensemble building and devising
- Introduction to basic script analysis
- Taking creative risks
- Performing advanced open scripts
- Introduction stage craft
- Beginner monologue analysis and performance
- Developing discipline and focus in class
- Introduction to taking direction
- Live stage performance
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between regular classes and extension?
Regular classes provide a brilliant grounding in foundation acting skills through cutting edge and dynamic curriculum. Classes are taught, with an emphasis on fun. What is known in the Employment industry as Soft Skills are also taught. These refer to things like, critical thinking, teamwork, confidence, and communication.
Extension classes take all of these to the next level. While still fun, the reason we only have one intake a year, and have an audition process is because the standard is way higher than regular classes and won’t be for everyone. It is like working in a class of students who while like-minded and supportive, also have a greater understanding of base skills, and above all are hungry to be pushed further in their acting and become the best version of themselves.
What is the benefit of extension?
Extension will offer you the chance to work at a very high standard for your age. It will treat you as a young creative artist, and encourage personal development like you will get nowhere else. It is no co-incidence that our most successful graduates from the AAA come from the extension stream.
You are held to a higher standard, build grit and resilience, and a deep sense of belonging that current and past students have referred to as like having a 2nd family. The knowing that you will be supported in and outside of class, encouraged to do your best, guided in acting and supported through personal issues plus build your network in the creative industries will give you a deep sense of confidence.
You are future proofing yourself, so that no mater how society continues to change, you will be ready for everything. School simply cannot deliver the results extension can, because we are flexible to your needs and the needs of the ensemble.
What if I don’t feel ready for extension yet?
No one feels ready. Even the most confident students have the same reservations. “What if everyone is better than me?”. While it is normal to have these fears, we would ask you respect our decision to a) invite you to audition and b) accept you. We have been doing this a long time, and we generally only invite people who we feel will thrive in the extension environment. No one is amazing at the start, regardless of what level you are invited into, extension is a journey of growth. It will be challenging for all. That is why it is called extension. It extends beyond where you are now.
What does extension cost?
The price for extension depends on what level and are released when nominations are sent. Extension classes do cost more than the regular classes, as they include extra classes, rehearsals, guest industry professionals as well as focussed support for every student in acting and in their journey through life. Fees for some levels also include regular classes, as long as there is space available in the chosen location.
Where do classes take place?
All Extension Classes take place at the AAA Head Quarters in Paddington Brisbane, once a week. The day of the week on which the class occurs is released at the end of the year along with the placement offers.
Should I attend the audition if I am unsure if I can accept a place in extension?
You can, but please let us know beforehand. As we only do one intake a year and numbers are strictly limited, this may influence our decision. That being said, it is a great way to cut your teeth auditioning.
Does the audition cost anything?
$30, that covers the audition, workshop and review of all work filmed.
EXTENSION STREAMS BREAKDOWN
Designed for 11-14 year olds, youth ext 1 is where the extension journey begins for our youngest extension students. You will find this both challenging and exciting. This will be your first time working at an advanced level. You will work with us to expand your awareness, mind, voice and body beyond what you felt possible. These are the essential tools for any actor to master. You will also be introduced to the concept of personal development and how we can help you hurdle over any acting or life obstacles through understanding the 5 agreements of extension, these are:
- Take Responsibility instead of blaming yourself or others.
- Make Conscious Choices instead of being reactive.
- Accept Consequences instead of justifying behaviour and avoiding consequences.
- Choose Kindness over the need for being right.
- Seek Help instead of going it alone.
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Introduction to vocal and physical dynamics
- Introduction to advanced acting techniques.
- Ensemble building and devising
- Introduction to basic script analysis
- Taking creative risks
- Performing advanced open scripts
- Introduction stage craft
- Beginner monologue analysis and performance
- Developing discipline and focus in class
- Introduction to taking direction
- Live stage performance
Designed for 12-14 year olds, youth ext 2 students will have either already completed youth ext 1 or have auditioned at a very high standard. Youth ext 2 builds upon your capability to show discipline, focus and work with an ensemble with the added bonus of exploring a whole new acting medium, acting for camera. You will experience a rush of growth during this year as we continue working with you on the 5 agreements of extension, encouraging you to gain a deeper understanding. You will take skills learnt in youth ext 1 and experience them at an intermediate level.
The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Beginners scene analysis
- Introduction to intermediate acting techniques.
- Physical movement routine
- Write and perform a performance poetry
- Introduction to acting for camera
- Intermediate level vocal dynamics
- Ensemble singing lessons
- Introduction to journaling
- Introduction to vulnerability for stage
- Original performance through journaling
- Developing a devised themed performance
Extension 1 is where most teenagers auditioning for the extension stream begin. Designed for 14-16 year olds this is often the first time students will have experienced working at a pre-industry standard. The techniques and practices that you will experience throughout extension 1 would normally be reserved for university students. This is where you really start to find your feet as a professional actor. With an emphasis on building self-discipline, focus and a work ethic, the 5 agreements of extension are applied at a deeper practical level. Your coaches will work you hard, but you will be incredibly satisfied and impressed by the work you produce throughout the year. Extension coaches truly guide students to develop acting and life skills that will give you head start in the creative industry and in life. The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Develop a physical and vocal warm-up routine
- Intermediate scene analysis
- Expansion of Intermediate acting techniques.
- Expansion of journaling skills
- Develop critical thinking practices
- Intermediate vulnerability for stage experiences
- Exploring and understanding stage presence and performance craft
- Small group devising activities
- Scene performance for stage
- Choral, physical theatre, and strong scene work for showcase
Designed for 15-16 year olds, most students who attend ext 2 will have already completed extension 1. While it is rare, it is possible through exceptional class work and auditions to allow you to be directly invited into the ext 2 stream. To start off your intensive ext 2 experience, we will have you leaning heavily into the 5 agreements and focusing on practical life coaching skills with the aim in mind to build your strength and resilience in a supportive and encouraging ensemble environment. This shift in focus will give you an overwhelming sense of self belief as we equip you with the skills needed to take on your increasingly challenging work content and school commitments. We then change gears, and move you into intermediate and advanced techniques across the board to help build your acting capability to an intermediate professional industry standard.
The core skills taught throughout this year include:
- Advanced improvisation techniques
- Advanced vulnerability techniques
- Advanced scene work.
- Intermediate acting techniques for camera
- Intermediate scene work for camera
- Reading and breaking down short plays
- Develop an autonomous physical and vocal warm-up routine
- Advanced scene analysis
- Advanced play short play analysis
- Advanced acting techniques
- Regular journaling for self development
- Develop performance through journaling
- Intermediate mindfulness practice
- Introduction to long form improvisation
- Scene performance for stage
- Development and performance of shortly plays for showcase
Designed for 16-19 year olds, ext 3 requires students to have attended ext 2. The focus of ext 3 is to make sure you have an in-depth understanding of the creative industry and begin to foster your creative passion and identity. You will begin to find where you fit in and grow your creative personality as we continue to focus on your personal development through this year. We will give you as many performance and practical acting experiences so you feel confident and ready to step into the professional creative industry. You will receive individual guidance and begin to develop a plan on how you will move forward into the industry and into life. Guest instructors are a large part of extension 3, as we want you to begin to build your industry network and experience as many different styles of coaching and directing as possible.
The core skills taught throughout this year include:
- Expansion of advanced improvisation techniques
- Expansion of advanced vulnerability techniques
- Advanced monologue work
- Advanced scene work.
- Develop a monologue performance
- Develop individual work for camera and stage
- Advanced acting techniques for camera
- Reading and breaking down plays.
- Understanding character and story arch.
- Take responsibility and implement their own physical and vocal warm-up routine.
- Expansion of advanced scene analysis
- Expansion of advanced acting techniques
- Regular journaling for self development
- Develop polished performance through journaling
- Advanced mindfulness practice
- Advanced experience of long form improvisation
- Advanced scene work for camera
- Advanced scene performance for stage
- Development and performance of a play for showcase
After being in the extension stream, to have it end abruptly doesn’t seem beneficial for you as you may be wanting to build your professional industry experience and network. Designed for 17-28 year olds, the young adults studio is created for all past extension students to come and continue their training in an ongoing manner. This class will also be open to non extension students from within and outside the academy via an audition process. Classes will occur in 4 week commitment blocks, and you can choose to stay for as long as you feel the classes are providing value to your acting and personal growth. In addition to advanced acting techniques and scene work, these classes are designed to help young adults create new networks and encourage you to develop and build your own professional portfolio and body of work.
Designed for 11-14 year olds, youth ext 1 is where the extension journey begins for our youngest extension students. You will find this both challenging and exciting. This will be your first time working at an advanced level. You will work with us to expand your awareness, mind, voice and body beyond what you felt possible. These are the essential tools for any actor to master. You will also be introduced to the concept of personal development and how we can help you hurdle over any acting or life obstacles through understanding the 5 agreements of extension, these are:
- Take Responsibility instead of blaming yourself or others.
- Make Conscious Choices instead of being reactive.
- Accept Consequences instead of justifying behaviour and avoiding consequences.
- Choose Kindness over the need for being right.
- Seek Help instead of going it alone.
The core skills taught over this year include:
- Introduction to vocal and physical dynamics
- Introduction to advanced acting techniques.
- Ensemble building and devising
- Introduction to basic script analysis
- Taking creative risks
- Performing advanced open scripts
- Introduction stage craft
- Beginner monologue analysis and performance
- Developing discipline and focus in class
- Introduction to taking direction
- Live stage performance
Extension Stream Pricing and Payment Plans
School of excellence is a focused program on providing pathways beyond training with the AAA to help students thrive in university training or working within the industry. Therefore places in SOE are primarily reserved for year 12 students or school leavers. SOE is facilitated by our Artistic Director, Brendan Glanville, with regular rotating guest coaches and industry specialists.
SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
MONDAY EVENINGS
4.30pm-8pm
4.30pm-8pm
$450 Deposit
$300/month Feb-Dec
$300/month Feb-Dec
Includes:
-
3.5hr weekly SOE class
-
industry information seminar
-
professional showreel scene shoot
-
specialist guest coaches & INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS
-
headshot photoshoot
-
additional showcase rehearsals
-
industry strategy meeting
-
$250 AAA WORKSHOP VOUCHER (EXCLUDES CAMPS)
-
3.5hr weekly SOE class
-
Regular performance OUTCOMES
-
university audition masterclass
More than just classes
Extension students never doubt that their coach and the AAA Team, have their back, will work with them to get the best result possible and will never give up on them. We pride ourselves on whole hearted and engaging support and service for your child and your family, and welcome you to come on the journey with us.
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