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 April 20th to Sunday April 28th, 2013.
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 19 (we will accept 14 year olds on the recommendation of a teacher) come from all over New Zealand and beyond, to learn about theatre and film, connect with others who share the same passion and have.
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).
Kelie Jensen, Administrator
Kelie is excited to be working with the NYDS team and to be a part of something so inspiring. She is an arts administrator, actress, playwright and producer. She has a BBS from Massey University, a BFA in Drama from the University of Calgary in Canada and has studied at Central School of Speech and Drama in London and Company of Rogues Actors Studio in Calgary. Kelie is proud to have worked as General Manager and Artistic Associate with Sage Theatre in Calgary and as Associate Publisher with Alberta Views – Canada’s Magazine of the Year in 2009. She has also worked professionally in Canadian theatre and film. Selected acting credits include Sawda in Scorched, Elizabeth Malet in The Libertine and Karen in JUMP / CUT, as well as a role in award-winning Canadian director Gary Burn’s feature film The Future is Now. Kelie returned “home” to Hawke’s Bay in 2011 where she now lives with her husband and two kids.
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 15/03/13. A flat fee of $80 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 $380 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
“I just wanted to say how much fun I had at NYDS this year. It was the best experience of my life- so thank you to you and all that went into creating such an amazing school.” Vanessa Immink 2010
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
“I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone at NYDS. My son arrived at Drama School a nervous wreck. I can not count the amount of ways he tried to get out of going over the 24 hours before it started”
Your staff were welcoming, caring, aware. He returned a week later a changed boy. He has gained a confidence within himself. He has realised that he can make friends. He has found people the same as him - and all this has happened in a safe environment in which to grow. He is so keen to come back next year and is so bitterly disappointed that it is the same time as a school trip overseas. Please understand that you have done more than teach drama, you have opened up a whole new world for my son..THANK YOU.”
“Just to say on behalf of our 6 kids who attended this year, a BIG THANKS to everyone!!! at NYDS They were blown away and had a full on blast. Most of them slept on Monday till 1pm to catch up but all of them have had a wonderful experience. They said that they were extremely well looked after and catered for so i thought i would pass that on. From previous times i knew that would be the case as other students had had a very positive experience. Well done and again Thanks for everything!!!" Vicki Crawford, HOD The Arts Blue Mountain College 2010
”I just wanted to let you know how much our whole family, and Amy in particular, loved our experience with NYDS. What obvious hard work from the tutors involved and the way they elicited the talent of the young people attending was fantastic. Please pass on a big thank you to anyone and everyone who was involved in the planning and provision of an inspiring range of creative learning opportunities. We have opened a very big Panodora's box and I have a feeling this won't be the last time our family will head to the Hawkes Bay in April.”
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 Facebook then join us on Facebook.
Contact Information
NYDS Administrator
PO Box 600
Napier 4140
NEW ZEALAND
022 108 5596
To send an email click here.