The Bridge Project employs the movement training principles of Jean-Pierre Voos and the KISS ensemble as well as the Vocal Trainings of Cicely Berry. Led by TheatreiNQ’s Leading Professional Actor, Brendan O’Connor, students are introduced to a series of physical and vocal exercises to help them prepare for rehearsal and performance.

Over a series of workshops, the Foundation Year Actors are introduced to the principles and expectations of the company, led by Artistic Director Terri Brabon. The first workshop is for the Foundation Year Actors only and the following week, all Bridge Project Members across all year levels come together to begin creating a sense of ensemble. The final stage offers the young actors an opportunity to work alongside the professional actors of the company as well as the Senior members of the Company’s Ensemble.

SHOWREELS – Led by Mentor Arminelle Fleming, actors will explore acting to camera as well as character development and text analysis. The scenes are then filmed by John Robertson of media production company, JRNQ Productions to become part of your Actor’s Toolkit for future use in Showreels.

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HEADSHOTS – Under the guidance of Terri Brabon and award-winning photographer, Chrissy Maguire, we will guide our actors to create professional headshots for use on casting websites, drama school applications or to send out to prospective agents. Our team will help you find your market, your look and your hook.

Foundation Year Actors continue to become engaged with the company through assisting with Front of House duties. Tasks may include setting up the foyer, greeting patrons on arrival, ushering patrons to seats etc. Front of House staff are the face of the company and form the company’s direct link to our audience. Our audience are very supportive of our training programme and this secondment provides them with an opportunity to meet the new faces of The Bridge Project.

The Stage Management workshop offers each actor the basic tools of assisting the Stage Manager in rehearsals. This includes preparing the prompt copy, taking notes on blocking and learning how to effectively prompt an actor. The actors are then given the opportunity to further develoop and utilise these skills while working in the rehearsal room for a Mainstage Production.

The process of understudying is an important learning tool in characterization and ensemble. By auditing the rehearsals of a professional production, each student will focus on a role as specified by the director to “understudy”. Students will receive a directorial session with the director and if they have progressed independently to a sufficient level, they may be invited to officially understudy the role should an actor not be able to perform due to illness or injury.

The theatre is a world of boundless possibilities for creative energy. We encourage our members to immerse themselves in all aspects of production. It is no less thrilling for us to see someone pick up a paintbrush or a needle and discover a talent and passion for scenic art or costume making. Each Actor is offered a production secondment on each of the company’s main season productions offering the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the different aspects of a putting on a production, choosing an area of interest that may include costume, props and production management.

Learn the basic techniques of performing Shakespeare. Based on the teachings of John Barton’s Playing Shakespeare Series, The Bridge Project actors will be taught the tools to unlock Shakespeare’s language and explore how he wrote secret clues for the actor in his texts. Mentored by Director Terri Brabon.

In addition to the Production Secondment and Understudy placement, the Bridge Project actors may also be offered an onstage performance opportunity should the production allow. The casting of such an opportunity will be based on how the actor has developed in their training.   Where possible, Foundation Year actors are given the extraordinary opportunity of participating on-stage in our Shakespeare Under the Stars, where students will work alongside professional actors in this full-scale out-door production. Roles will be cast on suitability and their level of development throughout the year.

Dealing with Media can be difficult and overwhelming for anyone from the most experienced to the complete novice. Our Company PR Agent, Heidi Hatherall from Crystal Clear PR will offer the students full preparation for interviews and an understanding of the approaches used by journalists. Learn how to get key messages across during media events and the right way to use social media.

With the company’s extensive network of professionals, we are happy to host career Q&A’s with many touring actors or local professionals visiting Townsville for our Bridge Project Actors.

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Where possible, the company host exclusive workshops and masterclasses with visiting guest professionals.  These workshops are exclusive to members of the Bridge Project.

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Foundation Year Actors also have free access to any ThiNQ Ed Workshops offered by the Company throughout the year.

Every opportunity is given for members of the Bridge Project to engage with and learn about the local Arts Community.  The Bridge Project volunteer support for organisations such as Friends of the Theatre and are encouraged to learn the history of the Arts right here in Townsville,  giving our members a connection to the legacy of a much broader community.  This program varies from year to year but has included engagement with Dancenorth, Umbrella Studios and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

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Throughout the year, we attend as many professional productions as possible, often providing the Bridge Project with opportunities to meet the cast and director or engage in workshops with the touring company.  

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The Company also provides online facilities such as Digital Theatre + to allow members of the Bridge Project to watch the best theatre from around the world.  

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By term Three, the relationship with your mentors has deepened and they are uniquely positioned to best advise you of your next step. Once you have determined your upcoming challenge, we will assist you in finding the pathways to achieve it.

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Our experienced team will help you choose and rehearse your pieces for upcoming auditions. By highlighting your strengths and with the knowledge of what a panel looks for, Director Terri Brabon will work with you to help you achieve your best.

Each year in The Bridge Project is diverse and evolving.  Opportunites that arise within the sector or within the company vary with each year.  We take every opportunity to pass on all opportunites to our Bridge Project members including guest workshops, external casting opportunites, promotional projects, networking and social engagements.  Students also receive a complimentary Bridge Project T-Shirt and Journal, exclusive to members of the Project.