Summer SceneWorks 2014
Coordinators: Richard Davis, B.S., B.F.A. Andrea Holliday
[email protected] [email protected]
256-652-2335
Objective: The objective of this event is to create an educational, supportive environment for the advancement of the art of theatre in our community. The program will serve both those beginning their acting experience as well as those who have had plenty of previous exposure. Therefore, we will work to create a fully supportive, no-pressure environment that is free of judgment and/or drama (except on the stage)!
Meetings: We will meet every Monday at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 6:00 P.M. until at least 8:00 P.M. Some lessons may (space allowing) need to run until 8:30 P.M. These Monday meetings will include guest speakers, lessons, and panel discussions on the aspects of theatre. A tentative schedule is attached to this page. Directing scenes will meet on a timeframe determined by the director and actors. In addition, each Monday, one director and his cast will “check in” with the group by showcasing their work as it stands (even if they do it in chairs with scripts).
Scenes: Directors have chosen categories of interest for their scenes, and will be assigned scenes based on these categories. They will be responsible, with the assistance of the coordinators, for casting, rehearsing, and performing the scenes.
Attendance: As part of an ensemble, is it an obligation to others to be prepared and on-time for rehearsals. Although attendance at the Monday meeting is not mandatory, it is highly urged, as we hope these discussions will be very insightful to all volunteers and actors at the theatre. New skills and lessons presented each week will build on those previously taught, and therefore attendance is highly advised. However, we understand busy schedules and it is our promise to work around these issues as best we can.
Information: Additional information will be provided by myself, the co-coordinators, and directors in two places. First, on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/summersceneworks, and second, the website, at www.summersceneworks.weebly.com. The website will also have links to readings which will be posted in regard to each Monday lesson. Again, it is not mandatory to do these readings, but they will greatly benefit both new actors and those who have ample experience.
Contingency: Should there be any weather issues or other unexpected problems, information will be provided as to rescheduling on the home page of the website.
Coordinators: Richard Davis, B.S., B.F.A. Andrea Holliday
[email protected] [email protected]
256-652-2335
Objective: The objective of this event is to create an educational, supportive environment for the advancement of the art of theatre in our community. The program will serve both those beginning their acting experience as well as those who have had plenty of previous exposure. Therefore, we will work to create a fully supportive, no-pressure environment that is free of judgment and/or drama (except on the stage)!
Meetings: We will meet every Monday at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 6:00 P.M. until at least 8:00 P.M. Some lessons may (space allowing) need to run until 8:30 P.M. These Monday meetings will include guest speakers, lessons, and panel discussions on the aspects of theatre. A tentative schedule is attached to this page. Directing scenes will meet on a timeframe determined by the director and actors. In addition, each Monday, one director and his cast will “check in” with the group by showcasing their work as it stands (even if they do it in chairs with scripts).
Scenes: Directors have chosen categories of interest for their scenes, and will be assigned scenes based on these categories. They will be responsible, with the assistance of the coordinators, for casting, rehearsing, and performing the scenes.
Attendance: As part of an ensemble, is it an obligation to others to be prepared and on-time for rehearsals. Although attendance at the Monday meeting is not mandatory, it is highly urged, as we hope these discussions will be very insightful to all volunteers and actors at the theatre. New skills and lessons presented each week will build on those previously taught, and therefore attendance is highly advised. However, we understand busy schedules and it is our promise to work around these issues as best we can.
Information: Additional information will be provided by myself, the co-coordinators, and directors in two places. First, on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/summersceneworks, and second, the website, at www.summersceneworks.weebly.com. The website will also have links to readings which will be posted in regard to each Monday lesson. Again, it is not mandatory to do these readings, but they will greatly benefit both new actors and those who have ample experience.
Contingency: Should there be any weather issues or other unexpected problems, information will be provided as to rescheduling on the home page of the website.
Lesson Schedule (Tentative):
Monday, June 2nd Orientation, Warming Up, and Auditioning Techniques Monday, June 9th Basics of Acting I: “GOTE: The Meat and Potatoes” Monday, June 16th Basics of Acting II: “Adding Variety and Flavor” Monday, June 23rd Director’s Panel Discussion and Directing Tips Monday, June 30th “The Owner’s Manual to the Voice” – Breath, Speech, and Diction Monday, July 7th “A Lesson in Style: From Shakespeare to Brecht and Beyond” Monday, July 14th Acting in a Musical – “Tricks for Those Who Sing, and Insight for Those Who Prefer Not To” Monday, July 21th Improvisation Monday, July 28th Acting for the Film Monday, August 4th Performance Dress Rehearsal Friday, August 8th Performance Night |
Citations Utilized and Suggested Readings (for the extra-ambitious):
Lesson 1: “Audition!” ($7.19, Amazon) by Michael Shurtleff. This book is short, attentive, and all-encompassing. It is a really great read for those who want to hone this skill. We will discuss about 6 of his concepts, but he presents twice as many in the book. Lessons 2-3: “Acting One” (Fourth Edition, Used, $31.00, Amazon) by Robert Cohen. There are always used copies of this on Amazon. This book is an essential rundown on several of these techniques, and a great book for those who only feel they have time to read one book. Lesson 5: “The Right to Speak: Working with the Voice” ($17.00, Amazon) by Patsy Rodenburg. This gives a GREAT rundown of the stresses and reasons our voices have become so entangled. The second section presents a “Users Guide to the Voice” which presents a lot of useful information. Lesson 6: “Playing Shakespeare” ($12.00, Amazon) by John Barton. This book is in the form of a dialogue between members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Patrick Stewart, Judi Dench, and Ian McKellan, in discussion of acting Shakespeare and the like. “Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice” by Kristin Linklater. This book is very insightful, and an alternative approach to getting rid of the “stone-cold” readings of Shakespeare and creating text which you feel flows freely. Lesson 7: “Acting in Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course” ($44.22, Amazon) by Joe Deer and Rocco Dal Vera. This is an amazingly written textbook which gives a run-down of both task-oriented acting as well as adding variety and color to songs and scenes in musicals. If musical theatre is your interest, and you would only buy one book, this is a great resource. |