Actors work on character development, breath and vocal techniques, improvisational methods, beats and objectives, physical awareness, audition skills and ensemble building. Our performers employ these elements in previously mounted works, as well as to unique productions that are crafted at camp. Masterclasses in areas such as stage combat are also offered within the program. By the end of the session, campers leave with tangible takeaways that support them in continuing their work outside of camp.
Madeline Levy
Theatre Arts Mentor
After completing a BA Hons degree in Drama and English Literature at Queen Mary University of London, Madeleine went on to complete a master’s in Playwriting and Philosophy in Birmingham UK. Her proudest performances include Mother Superior in The Sound of Music, Widow Corney in Oliver Twist, and a variety of critters in The Wind in the Willows in 2018. Most recently she has enjoyed more contemporary theatre roles such as the waiter in Alan Ayckbourn’s Confusions and a policeman in Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.
Madeleine created her own theatre company in 2014 called Alternative Voices Theatre Company. Alternative Voices is an accessible theatre company for adults with both physical and mental health conditions which offers them access to roles which they may not have the opportunity to explore in main stream theatre.
Madeleine remembers a time when she was told that she would never play a lead female role because “she was too ugly and had a face for radio, the best she could hope for on stage was to be a villain or play a maternal role.” This inspired her to create her own theatre company where looks and gender were not the focus of performance but rather the quality of the work being displayed. Being Bi-gender and having Asperger’s is difficult in the theatre industry as these are both terms that people understand little about. Madeleine prefers not to be described as a disabled artist but rather an ‘artist’ because she believes that her condition should not be the focus but she should be viewed with the respect she deserves because of the quality shows that she and her company create.
Madeleine hosted the Creative Minds conference in 2017 which was where she met Richard Hayhow of Open Theatre Company Coventry and Birmingham. Open theatre has continually supported her professional development and in 2018 Alternative voices put on their first professional performance at the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre. This was a piece of forum theatre exploring themes around justice and bullying. Audience members described the show as thought-provoking as they were asked to participate in discussions around the topic of bullying.
Our most recent piece of work was creating an audiobook version of Madeleine’s book entitled ‘When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Cat’ published by Cavalcade Books in 2021, the book interviews nine individuals with learning needs about their challenges with the education system. The book aims to support individuals with additional needs through the education system and is a must-have tool for any educators, artists, or health professionals wishing to collaborate with those with learning needs. 5 Neurodiverse actors voiced the words for the Audiobook which was released on Band Camp on May 10th, 2024.