This summer sees the return of the HighTide Academy, HighTide Festival Theatre’s three-week drama training programme for young people at The Cut in Halesworth.

The HighTide Academy gives 12-18 year olds the opportunity to work with leading professional directors and explore different approaches to performance and creating new work. Each six-day masterclass focuses on a different specialism including new writing, performing Shakespeare and devising, and ends with a performance for family and friends. During the courses participants are also offered mentoring and practical advice on pursuing a career in the creative sector and different routes to continue developing their creative skills.

This year’s Academy will open with a special week exploring what the 2012 Olympics mean to young people in Suffolk and with a performance on the same day as the official Opening Ceremony on Friday 27th July.

The HighTide Academy runs from Monday 23rd July – Saturday 18th August at The Cut in Halesworth. Applications are still open for all three courses and full details can be found on the HighTide website or by calling Philippa on 0207 566 9765.

“I really enjoyed working so closely with the director. The Academy has really encouraged me with my decision to pursue acting and directing.”  Zandra Beaumont (aged 15) Academy 2011 Company Member

HighTide Festival Theatre is a national theatre company and engine room for the discovery, development and production of exceptional new playwrights and artists. The annual HighTide Festival in Halesworth has become one of the UK’s leading theatre events and in 2012 premiered 18 new works. Following the success of this year’s Festival, the Academy continues HighTide’s 6th season of work in Halesworth. HighTide Festival Theatre is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.