2016 VJ Award
Genre: Theatre
Contact: Yes
Nicholas Rijs' work:
Scotland Calling – By Nicholas Rijs 25th September 2017
The Arts Academy, Federation University, Ballarat - a place for students to begin their quest of becoming a professional actor, dancer, singer, artist and/or all of the above. In 2012, I quit my job, packed up and moved to Melbourne in pursuit of attaining one of the above. After six months of acting classes one night a week, I wanted to study Full Time. “You probably wont get in”, I was told, “I am not sure you have what it takes” - just a few comments on my choice to audition for the nations leading drama schools. Undeterred and even more driven, this advice spurred me on and I successfully auditioned at the Arts Academy, beginning my quest of becoming an actor.
It was during the courses’ 1st year Voice component when I heard the name, Kristin Linklater. Little did I know that 4 years later I would not only be studying the Linklater technique, I would be studying with Kristin herself, in a land very far from the spacious orchards of the Goulburn Valley or icy winters of Ballarat.
A world-renowned voice coach, Kristin has spent 50 years as a professional voice practitioner teaching throughout North America and Europe. Kristin has published two prominent text books, Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Text (1976; revised edition 2006) and Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice: The Actor’s Guide to Talking the Text (1992) which have sold over 150,000 copies and been translated into six languages.
Having done various plays and performance pieces throughout Melbourne since graduating from the Arts Academy, I felt it was time to return to study. After submitting an online application, I was invited by The Kristin Linklater Voice Centre (KLVC) to leave Australia for the first time and travel solo to the Isles of Orkney, Scotland. For 4 intensive weeks (with some short travel in between) I studied with Kristin everyday from 9am to 6pm, with nights spent boarding with other voice students from countries including Germany, UK, Switzerland, USA and New Zealand, to name a few. On rest day’s students would venture out and explore Orkney and all its beauty (Of which Orkney has in abundance).
I studied the Linklater technique starting from the basics – identifying breathing patterns and origins of sound. I built on this right up to Introductory Shakespeare, where I explored sonnets and scenes from the Bard’s cannon.
Building on my learning’s from the Arts Academy, Kristin’s technique solidified my understanding of how to find, and then free my voice. I know exactly what is required of me when performing and using my voice on a daily basis – and it all starts with the breath.
Everything I needed to free my voice, I had already. Kristin taught me how to listen to my body, listen to my voice and realise my ultimate potential. I admit it was challenging at times. “Trying to find an answer” is not a way to explore the work, rather the exploration it’s self was the key. With enough desire and concentration of the moment, I met and overcame those challenges. I now have more confidence than ever before in my voice as an actor, and also a singer.
Since returning in June 2017, I have begun studying a BA - Music Performance at The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) in Melbourne, where I auditioned for their program as a singer/songwriter. Becoming an actor is still my ultimate goal, however I wish to enhance my musicianship to stretch my boundaries as an artist/performer.
Of course, all of this would not have been possible without the generosity of the Ballarat Arts Foundation. I will be forever thankful to the Foundation and can only endorse the Board’s giving spirit to those wishing to advance their artistic skills. Diverse and engaging, the Ballarat artistic community is at the forefront of Regional Arts leadership and with foundations such as B.A.F, the city of Ballarat will always have a special place in my heart.
Nick wishes to thank the following people who enabled him to study in Scotland
The Ballarat Arts Foundation
His parents - Karen and Mark Rijs
The Arts Academy, Federation University Faculty (2013 – 2015) – Kim
Durban, Ross Hall, Julianne Eveleigh, Angela Campbell, Margaret Mills and Paul Hampton.
Bryce Ives & Nate Gilkes
Tref Gare (Theatre 451)