Red Scare Youth Theatre
"James is an incredibly talented teacher, director, and mentor. He has a real gift for empowering young people and supporting them to feel confident about their abilities in the theatre space. He is a generous and thoughtful person who brings a fun energy to his classes. During his work with our students, their increase in confidence, skills, and performance was wonderful to witness. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending James as a teaching professional."
-Annemarie Mead, Parent and Senior WHEN Administrator, 2020
About
Aimed at 16-20 year olds, this new youth ensemble by the acclaimed Red Scare Theatre Company provides the opportunity for young practitioners to work together as an ensemble to stage a modern classic. Each year the students will work towards a full production, staged in central Wellington.
Red Scare Youth Theatre works collaboratively with mainstage theatres and Wellington Theatre Industry to provide the ensemble the next step in feeling comfortable working in theatres in Wellington.
Term One - short scenes rehearsed and staged
Term Two - rehearsals for full production
Term Three - rehearsal and premiere of full production
Term Four - guests and industry workshops
$250 per term, financial hardship scholarships are available.
In Red Scare Youth Theatre you can expect:
• A collaborative and respectful working environment, working as an ensemble. • A deeper understanding of the Stanislavski methodology and how to apply these in performance. • Practical tools to enhance use of voice and movement. • Develop skills in leadership, communication and active listening. • To work closely with an established director in the industry. • Detailed script analysis, how to break down a script with beats and objectives. • To familiarize yourself with the theatres of Wellington. • To take responsibility for both a performance and production role (i.e. Publicist, Lighting Designer, Production Manager). • To gain an understanding of the process of putting on a production from page to stage. • Industry workshops with established practitioners within the theatre industry. • Dedicated rehearsal time to grow and develop character. • To perform in a professional-quality youth production. |
About the Tutors
James Cain has been an Educator in Drama with the Wellington Home Education Network since 2017, working with students from 7-14 in his Junior class to 15-18 in his Senior class. He has directed multiple scenes for SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival (SGCNZ UOSWSF) for the Senior class and has been directed two scenes for Primarily Playing With Shakespeare (PPWS) for his Junior class.
He was one of the directors for the 2019 National Shakespeare Schools Production (NSSP), directing and coaching students from 16-18 in a production of 'Macbeth'. He's been a tutor for Wonderplay, a branch of Wellington Young Actors for ages 10-13, directing a 15 minute performance of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. |
He regularly directs Red Scare productions such as That's All She Wrote (2020), Apocalypse Songs (2020), MoodPorn (2019), Under (2017). He's also directed a number of productions outside of Red Scare including Lord Bi-Ron: Mad, Bad and Dangerous (A Mulled Whine, 2019), Carrie: The Musical [assistant director] (WITCH, 2017), Richard II (Sceptre Theatre, 2016) and Horatio (Sceptre Theatre, 2014).
Cassandra Tse, Artistic Director of Red Scare Theatre Company will act as Guest Director/Teacher and Administrator for Red Scare Youth Theatre. |
"James Cain's enthusiasm for supporting young people’s exploration of their creativity is a joy to behold!
I have the highest regard for James as a teacher and director. In the four years that he has taught drama for the Wellington Home Education Network, he has demonstrated how passionate and skilled he is in imparting a love of theatre to young people, while challenging them to grow both as performers and as people.
By creating a supportive and infectiously fun environment, James generously shares his knowledge and experience to help young people explore new ideas, build their confidence and skills, and learn to think outside the box.
Getting to work with James Cain would be a real gift for any young person with an interest in the performing arts"
-Sarah Brooks, Parent and WHEN Administrator, 2017-2020
Alumni
Our 2021 Red Scare Youth Theatre company was:
May Chadwick, Hunter Chippindale, Maddie Gillespie, Rowan Goldsack, Wiremu Johnston, Angus Lindsay, Melitta Lukovszki, Kelly Mui, Connor Norris, Blue Pilkington-Ching, Cam Scott, Jacynta Scurfield, Jessica Strachan, and Hunter Thomson.
May Chadwick, Hunter Chippindale, Maddie Gillespie, Rowan Goldsack, Wiremu Johnston, Angus Lindsay, Melitta Lukovszki, Kelly Mui, Connor Norris, Blue Pilkington-Ching, Cam Scott, Jacynta Scurfield, Jessica Strachan, and Hunter Thomson.