The Bristol Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) is an intensive 5 week course to prepare our cast for the 19 performance days. During BAPA each cast member will create their own unique character while focusing on characterization, dialect, history, improvisation and music. It provides the cast an opportunity to get to know one another while attending courses taught by nationally recognized performers, historians and musicians.
BAPA also qualifies for college credit! All locations in the University of Wisconsin system offer credit under their Acting Internship program. There are also numerous other universities who offer general internship credit. Working with your academic advisor, Bristol will help you set up and fulfill your real-world experience in the theatre environment. Please contact bristolfriends@renfair.com for more information.
Your First Year in BAPA
If this is your first season as a performer at the Bristol Renaissance Faire then you are REQUIRED to attend all BAPA classes. There are required courses for you to take, and then we offer 'electives' that you may choose. In total, you will attend 40 hours of class dedicated to developing your skills and knowledge to bring a Bristol character to life.
NEW for 2012 - You have Homeplay to complete BEFORE your first day in BAPA. Please download THIS DOCUMENT from your instructor, Ann-Elizabeth Shapera, and be ready to answer the questions listed within!
An example schedule is below. Note that the meeting begins at 10am. Therefore you must arrive BEFORE 10am to sign in and receive all your class materials.
Undergraduate Level Electives
As a first year performer you will sign up for your electives on your first day of BAPA. We'll see you at Bristol!
BAPA Graduate Level Electives
BAPA Grads are welcome to sign up for any course labeled "Grads" or "All". You MUST sign up for a Grad Orientation Meeting and an Advanced Dialect course to be a member of the 2012 cast. Please see "How to Sign Up for Courses".
If you are a first year performer, ignore this section. You will sign up for courses on your first day of BAPA.
If you are a Graduate-level performer then you must sign up for courses using the cast yahoo group. Courses are first-come, first-serve so please sign up asap! If you are not a member of the cast yahoo group please contact your director.
