About the School
The School
Transport
Accommodation
Bring with you...
What students say...
Other Feedback
Past Students
Contact Information
The School
First week of the April School Holidays – Saturday 3 April to Sunday 11 April 2010
The National Youth Drama School is held annually at Havelock North High School in beautiful Hawkes Bay, New Zealand providing innovative, quality tuition through a wide range of classes.
Students have the experience of working with tutors of exceptional calibre, who work professionally both in New Zealand and overseas.
Students aged from 15 to 20 come from all over NZ and beyond, to learn about various aspects of theatre and film, meet new people and have fun.
The school features a range of fulltime courses. Some courses concentrate on one main HOME GROUP, others work on one main home group and experience a ‘taste’ of two other classes.
Career choice information is a component of the Daily School Meeting, where the tutors discuss their own career paths, and guests from top tertiary Drama and Film schools provide information about the courses available. A chance to learn in detail and “from the horse's mouth" what the requirements/programmes/costs/ pitfalls are for those serious about a Performing Arts career.
During the week all students attend evening activities allowing them to socialise in a friendly, informal environment.
Parents, friends and supporters are encouraged to view the students work Details of public performances will be included in the March newsletter (see the application page).
Ani Tylee, Administrator
Ani has a background in arts administration and business. She has also been a practicing artist working in collage and oil pastels, and currently produces a range of photographic cards. She has managed NYDS since 2007, and combines this with other short term projects and events management. She is currently studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Communication through Massey. She lives in Napier with her daughter.
Claire Keys, Artistic Director
Claire was a student of NYDS in it's inaugural year and has since returned as assistant tutor, assistant AD and now AD. She has a passion for the learning and development of students at the drama school and is very honoured to be in the position to enable this tradition to continue. She is a graduate of the New Zealand College of Performing Arts, Victoria University, and Wellington College of Education. Claire has been a director for HaBYT since it's inception and has travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the play Desperate Antics. She has two beautiful children and a wonderful husband.
Transport
The School runs a free daily bus service for students who require transport to Havelock North from their home or billet in the Napier, Taradale, Hastings area. The service commences on the first Sunday morning. Students who wish to avail themselves of this service will meet with the driver to determine a suitable route, immediately after the opening ceremony.
A free shuttle is also provided from Napier airport to students travelling from home by air and from HASTINGS for students travelling from home by bus or train. Hastings is the nearest depot for bus and train. Napier is the nearest airport. Students who wish to avail themselves of this service must send a letter outlining travel details to the NYDS administrator.
Accommodation
A register of suitable billet families within the local community is maintained by the Drama School Billet Coordinator. Billeting is a very popular option and the numbers of families willing to take in a billet are limited. If you require billet accommodation, you must have your application in BEFORE 10 March. A flat fee of $55 is charged for the week.
The Hostel
The official Drama School Hostel is the boarding facility at Hereworth School, Havelock North. This is a Private School situated immediately opposite Havelock North High School on Te Mata Road, Havelock North. The cost of $335 includes Breakfast, Dinner and Supper. Fresh fruit is also made available.
Hostel Rules
- Hereworth School and Havelock North High are smokefree zones, this includes the school grounds
- No alcohol, cigarettes, or illicit substances. Meal times will be posted, you are required to fill in the sign out book if you are unable to be there on time. Boarders will have access to the Dormitories, Ablutions and Dining Room, ALL other areas of Hereworth School are out of bounds. The Dormitory will be locked during the school day to protect your property. A duty supervisor will be available for emergency access only. A curfew will be set to accommodate Drama School evening functions. All students are required to be back at the hostel in time for the curfew. No student will be allowed to stay overnight elsewhere unless prior arrangement has been made by parents. Respect other students and their property. Respect the authority of the Supervisors. There will be one adult supervisor to every 8 students. These rules are set for your protection. Students failing to meet the required standard of behaviour will be sent home at the expense of their parents.
First Aid
A first aid kit will be on-site at all times and administered by an adult holding a current first aid certificate. Emergency medical facilities are located within one kilometre of the school.Bring with You
A sleeping Bag or equivalent and a pillow.Towels
Comfortable clothing (you will need at least one pair of stretch pants or shorts and a tee shirt for most classes). Think comfort and flexibility, NOT fashion.
Toilet gear
A BIG SMILE
(Leave all valuables at Home)
Students Say
Gemma Syme - Technical Course 2002
It's great to get an all round knowledge of the theatre because it helps you visualise and create something that you never thought possible. You get so many ideas from it and tips on how you can use nearly anything to create the effect you want. It can help you turn a vision into something visually spectacular, and a sound track into anatmosphere. Since the NYDS Tekkie course I can spot bad lighting/sound a mile away and I notice all the different effects other people have put into their shows and howthey work. I definitely recommend taking the course. It's also very fun and you meet lovely people there, and the tutor is just AWESOME.
Ashleigh Blair - Acting for Screen 2007.
“I enjoyed my time at national Youth Drama School. I thought all the classes were fun, I learnt heaps and the tutors were great!”
Other Feedback
An email from an appreciative parent - 2007"Just a note to thank all those involved in this year’s Drama School. My wife and I came to the Opera House yesterday evening; we were blown away by the level of talent, team work and confidence. The three girls we took home raved about it for the three hour journey! They learnt heaps and had lots of fun. The tutors were fantastic. It was obviously life-changing stuff for the three girls.
Special thanks to Daniel Betty who inspired our daughter Stephanie so much. I’m sure this week will be a defining moment in Stephanie’s life, one that sets her up with life, leadership and team player skills applicable for whatever career she takes up.
We owe a lot to the NYDS, thank you.
John Barnett"
An email from a NYDS 2008 Parent
“Thank-you and once again congratulations to Ken and all the team. It is an incredible week of experience, learning and growth that you provide for all the workshop participants”
An email from a Careers Teacher
“Thank you so much for giving my students an awesome week. They have told me how marvellous it all was.
My film people have told me to send all film people off to Drama school.
I know these things are a lot of work so THANK YOU. You have made my kid's eyes shine with enthusiasm and for that I am very grateful.”
Cindy, Careers teacher 2008
Past Students
Are you a past student of the NYDS?
Would you like to catch up with other past students and friends you made while attending classes?
Go to www.oldfriends.co.nz and do a search on national youth drama school
Using club or organisation as the search criteria. If you have bebo visit the Bebo Page created by past students, or the Facebook Page created by us.
Contact Information
NYDS Administrator:
P.O Box 600
Napier
NEW ZEALAND
027 625 8679
To send an email click here.