About Ocean Theatre

The Acting Company

Ocean is a company rather than a weekly performing arts class.

Every six months, we begin work on a new musical. Over the rehearsal period, the cast develops the production alongside our Director, Musical Director and Choreographer before performing it for a paying public audience.

Our productions take place twice a year, at Easter and during the October half term.

Cast members experience the complete process of creating a musical, from the first rehearsal through to technical rehearsals and opening night.

Productions include:

• Professional creative direction
• Acting, singing and dance training
• Full sets, costumes, lighting and sound
• Live musicians and orchestra
• Technical and dress rehearsals
• Performances for a public audience

We take the work seriously and expect commitment from our cast, but rehearsals are also a place to make friends, take creative risks and enjoy being part of a company.

More Than Performing

Being part of Ocean is about much more than learning songs, lines and choreography.

Young people learn how to work as part of an ensemble, take responsibility, communicate clearly and support the people around them.

For each production, cast members can also take on additional responsibilities including Dance Captain and Singing Captain roles, working closely with the professional creative team.

As confidence grows, so does independence.

Some members arrive at Ocean already knowing they want a career in theatre. Others join because they love performing, want to meet new people or want somewhere they can feel part of a team.

Both are equally welcome.

Do I Need Experience?

No.

You do not audition to become a member of Ocean.

We welcome young people aged 14 to 19 with different levels of experience. Some have performed for years. Others join us having done very little theatre before.

At the beginning of each new production, anyone who would like to be considered for a principal role can take part in our group audition process.

Casting is only one part of the experience. Ensemble work is central to what we do, and every cast member contributes to creating the finished production.

Professional Training

Ocean is led by people with professional experience across theatre, opera, musical theatre, music and dance.

Our aim is to give young performers high-quality training while treating them as young artists capable of contributing their own ideas.

We encourage our cast to ask questions, make choices and take ownership of their work.

We expect preparation, focus and commitment, and in return we give our members the opportunity to work at a standard that challenges them.

Confidence, Friendships and Belonging

You do not have to want a career on stage to benefit from Ocean.

For many of our members, the biggest changes happen away from the spotlight.

Performing develops confidence. Rehearsing as an ensemble develops teamwork. Learning difficult material develops discipline and resilience. Spending six months creating something together can lead to friendships that continue long after the final performance.

Our cast comes from schools and colleges across Berkshire and the surrounding area, so joining Ocean is also an opportunity to meet people outside your usual school or friendship groups who share the same interests.

Where Can Ocean Lead?

For performers considering professional training, Ocean can provide valuable experience before applying to drama school, conservatoire or university.

Former Ocean members have continued their training at institutions including:

• ArtsEd

• The BRIT School

• Bird College

• BIMM Institute

• The Brighton Academy

• Drama Studio London

• East 15

• Guildford School of Acting

• London College of Music

• Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

• Rose Bruford College

• Royal Academy of Music

• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

• University of Chichester Conservatoire

• Urdang Academy

• Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts

Others have gone on to study Drama, Dance, Music, Performance and related subjects at universities across the UK and internationally.

Ocean alumni have also gone on to work professionally with organisations including the National Theatre, Welsh National Opera and Disneyland Paris.

And many former members who have chosen completely different careers remain part of the Ocean family, returning to see productions or help backstage during show week.

Our Productions

Ocean has been producing musical theatre in Berkshire since 2008.

Over the years our young performers have taken on an extraordinary range of shows, including:

LES MISÉRABLES
CHICAGO
TITANIC THE MUSICAL
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
SWEENEY TODD
CHESS
SISTER ACT
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
ANASTASIA
KISS ME, KATE
and many more.

Each production presents a different challenge, and that is exactly how we want it.

We want our members to leave each show having learnt something they could not do six months earlier.

Join Ocean

If you are aged 14 to 19 and love performing, we would love to hear from you.

You do not need professional ambitions. You do not need years of experience. And you do not need to audition simply to join.

You need enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to get involved.

Come along, meet us and discover what being part of Ocean is actually like.

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