Question by sleepwell: Theatre camps in late November?
My school’s drama society (which I am a part of!) has organised a trip to Brisbane for a week in late November. We will be studying physical theatre with Zen Zen Zo for four days, and as great as that program sounds, I am a bit hesitant to go for it because:

1. We’re only training for four days, and our courses run from morning to late afternoon. I don’t find that nearly as intensive as I would have liked. The rest of the time is for cultural immersion, and
2. The cost is about $ 2400 Singapore dollars! It would be alright if not for the fact that the training only takes up about 20% of the cost, while the rest of the money goes to air fares and home stay and cultural immersion. So I feel like I’m wasting my money ): (The school booked flights with an expensive airline)

However, it IS a good program, and there aren’t many other theatre programs in November, or else I would have chosen to go for a cheaper and more intensive course, perhaps in the US.

So I just want your opinion on what you would do if you were in my shoes? Also, recommend me theatre programs that run November if you know of any. Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by puppetsinmelbourne.com.au
If you’re worried about cost, then try and find something a bit closer to home. There are plenty of short courses that you can take in QLD.

Having said that, I went to England and Ireland on a drama trip at the end of year 12. It was a lot of money, and though we didn’t do any intensive training like you would (and Zen Zen Zo are probably worth it, they’re very well known) we did see a lot of shows and go to theatre-related places. Although I can still go to those places again, I will never be able to do those same things, since it wasn’t anything I could organise myself or through a travel agent. What else do you get to do in Singapore? If you think the experience of the different culture/sightseeing + the training is worth it, then the price doesn’t sound too bad.

You really should discuss it more with your parents. (Don’t forget that travel to and around the US will be *much* more expensive. The exchange rate is hugely different, plus you have to tip people everywhere you go, etc etc)

I’ve done a lot of travel for theatre, going overseas for festivals and such, and the truth of the matter is that you’ll never know how good the experience is unless you go. I’ve done a couple of events that were fantastic and I’m glad I went; others that I didn’t enjoy as much as I’d like. It’s really up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!