John Bolton Theatre School -

John Bolton Theatre School

John Bolton Theatre School

The John Bolton Theatre School is a full time three and a half month theatre intensive based in Melbourne. Participants study with John Bolton and a team of diverse and experienced teachers of physical theatre, song, voice and movement. John’s Lecoq training and extensive background in performance, teaching and directing has inspired countless performers and theatre makers all over the world.

This integrated training investigates and strengthens the practice of creating new work. It explores the Play of Mask, Bouffon, Clown and Vaudeville, as well as using these tools to find dynamic ways of working with text. Given a rigorous and secure environment participants will leave fueled with a sense of action, more confident in voice and body and in their ability to stand in front of an audience or camera.

Next Course 2019

Next Course 2019

Location: Footscray, Melboune, Australia
Dates: 29th July - 8th November 2019
Times: Monday / Tuesday 10am - 2.30pm
Wednesday / Thursday / Friday 12pm - 4.30pm

Click here to Apply Online

Areas of Study

The course has several areas of in depth focus

Neutral Mask

Neutral Mask

The Neutral mask puts us in touch with our most authentic and intuitive self. It integrates mind and body, clarifies impulse, and allows the wearer to experience the power and fragility that come from living in the present, which is the basis of any other performance work.

Energy normally wasted on eccentricity and character is now directly used in coherent action, from still point to still point.

Clown

Clown

Nothing can be hidden in clowning: all of your stupidity, charm and child-like play surface and dazzle the audience, taking them to an imaginative place reserved for naivety and magic.

As well as helping to develop a circus clown who can do tricks, falls and circus routines, this section of work reveals the actor devoid of tricks and routines; the actor who can stand on stage or in front of a camera whole and secure in his or her vulnerability, completely spontaneous.

Bouffon

Bouffon

The world of these malformed and anarchic people is perfect.

Their beloved task is to make the audience die of laughter by parodying their ways and gleefully mocking their hypocrisy.

This is one of the most freeing and adventurous experiences for any actor. It requires absolute commitment of imagination and body and involves learning to follow the dark and destructive urge, with charm.

Vaudeville

Vaudeville

We will inquire into the world of Vaudeville. As well as entering into Melodrama, students will create their own unique theatre by integrating or focusing on one of the styles we have studied. From the serious to the absurd, these explorations are platforms from which participants can continue their investigations after completing the course.

Teachers

John Bolton

Steph Kehoe

Penny Baron

Josephine Lang

Testimonials

Testimonials from people who have worked with John Bolton

Jacob Rajan

Indian Ink

John Bolton’s skill, wisdom, generosity, passion, humour, and humanity, infuses every aspect of his teaching. He has inspired generations of students, many of whom have gone on to create shows whose theatrical vocabulary, diversity and imaginative scope can be traced directly back to their training with John – me included.

Kate Parker

Red Leap Theatre

Training with John Bolton allowed me to pursue a career I never knew quite possible. One where I am able to craft my own pathway: to devise theatre.

Justin Lewis

Indian Ink

The training I did with John Bolton in 1993 has underpinned everything I have done in the theatre since. John creates the kind of theatre I love; theatrical, imaginative, full of life and delight. His training is rigorous, challenging, joyous and maybe even life changing.

Julie Nolan

Red Leap Theatre

All our work over the last twelve years has been inspired by our time at John's school. It was always about the work and the potential of what we could achieve

Virginia Frankovich

Independent Theatre maker

John Bolton is an inspiring and masterful teacher who challenges you to push through every single barrier. His humanity and passion for theatre feeds through into every student and has equips us with the thirst and drive to make unique and beautiful work. Every day I am reminded of the massive journey I embarked on with John and I am beyond grateful for what he has taught me.

Kimberley Twiner

Graduate 2015

The John Bolton Theatre School is an absolutely unique experience to learn within. This is a chance to practice your craft - I repeat - to practice your craft -
THE craft of performing. Every single day you go to a room and make performance happen. NO books. NO in fashion concepts. NO jargon. Practice based learning.
If you want to crack open, peel off the layer and go deep into your journey of being a truly interesting performer and a truly excellent theatre maker then THIS course is what you want to be doing. I speak from the perspective of being a recent graduate of this school and am deeply grateful I made the time in my life to do this!

Latest news

Dec, 13

2017 Course Announced: Whangarei, New Zealand

December 13, 2016 by Matt Keene

Stillness to Action, Silence to Text: A three-week exploration In this three-week exploration we will investigate the power of stillness and silence through one of the great building blocks of the actor’s craft – the Neutral Mask. We will explore how the mask can help an actor’s body and voice become more fluid, strong and responsive […]
Read more 2017 Course Announced: Whangarei, New Zealand

Jun, 21

Only 2 places left!

June 21, 2016 by Matt Keene

There are only 2 places left in the 2016 intake. Come and make GREAT SCARY WILD WONDERFUL NEW HEARTBREAKING HONEST DISHONEST theatre for four months in Melbourne….learn how to take more risks.
Read more Only 2 places left!
Jan, 9

2016 Course Dates Announced

January 9, 2016 by Matt Keene

Location Preston, Melbourne Dates August 8th – December 9th, 2016 Times Monday – Thursday 10:00am – 3:30pm + Friday – 12:00am – 4:00pm [ Break: 10th – 14th October ]
Read more 2016 Course Dates Announced