Besides our Stage 2 and Stage 3 tutoring services, Maskedbadger offers dynamic evening Drama classes for 15 - 25 year olds who wish to develop their skills in a friendly, professional and focused atmosphere. Sessions are held north and south of the river, depending on demand, and are designed and taught by experienced teacher, acting coach and director Scott Robertson. Scott has a long record of inspiring and educating young people and has seen his students successfully audition to WAAPA, the VCA and to theatre companies here in Perth; we encourage you to read his testimonials. Besides Scott, we have a large group of contacts in the Perth theatre industry and we often access them as part of our program for specific skills.

OUR PHILOSOPHY MAKES US DIFFERENT
Scott Robertson's own personal approach to drama education underpins everything we do at Maskedbadger. Developed over a 13 year teaching career, Scott's philosophy is that teamwork and a "theatre company approach" is what maximises students' confidence, progression and enjoyment. Drills on individual skills or, at the other end of the spectrum, improvisational game playing, all have their place but training that does not deal with the creation of team harmony and a real sense of belonging will never allow students to reach their potential. Similarly, a program that does not offer real heart-felt productions for showcases will limit any learning because we all learn best when we put our training into practice. Productions are not easy but that is what makes them so worthwhile.

We firmly believe all teenagers do best when they're part of a real team working on a real project they truly care about. When inspired and driven, this positive energy will spill over into all other aspects of their lives. For some this need is met by sports but for those teenagers passionate about the performing arts, an inclusive, focused and friendly ensemble production group is going to meet their need to belong and feel safe so they can innovate, refine their craft and then experience success on stage.

Note that joining our Theatre Company is about becoming a key member of a group who works together for the benefit of all members' growth in the performing arts. Students who do not consistently and actively support their class members and instructors will be asked to leave.

ADMISSION
Placement in the Maskedbadger program is based on a solo audition. This is not because we're exclusive or elitist or want to scare anyone off. We welcome anyone who is passionate about theatre and performing. We simply want to have a formal opportunity see students' starting ability levels and to use that information to arrange the best class lists and the most suitable coursework for each class. We are the opposite of pre-packaged afterschool programs and always tailor our work. At the audition students and parents will have a chance to ask lots of questions about the program.

CLASSES
Each class has around 15 students and runs for terms of 8 weekly sessions each (coinciding with weeks 2 - 9 of school terms). At the end of year during school term 4 we run our company production and use that time for rehearsals. Payment is normally made a term in advance and the term cost for 2010 is $220. There is no charge for students involved with the whole company production held during Term 4.