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122 South Putnam
Williamston, MI
48895

517.655.SHOW
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Classes

SUMMER WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS
Dates: July 14 through August 11
Times: Monday evenings from 6pm to 9pm
Ages: 13-18 years old
Cost: $25 per workshop, or $100 for all 5 workshops
Class size: minimum 6 students, maximum 16
Registration: begins June 2, 2008. Call 517-655-7469 to register.

Each workshop covers a specific skill. They are designed as individual workshops, not continuing from week to week. Students are encouraged to sign up for as many workshops as they like! Students who have attended classes at the Williamston Theatre covering these areas are encouraged to return, as new skills will be explored commensurate with each student's skill level. The classes will be taught by Dana Brazil, a professional actress who has been seen recently onstage at Williamston Theatre as well as The Purple Rose Theatre Company and BoarsHead Theatre in Lansing.

Week 1: Improvisation Workshop
Monday, July 14, 6pm-9pm
Students will learn basic acting skills and techniques through theatre games and improvisational games. Through improvisation they will be creating original characters, scenes, and pieces of work.

Week 2: Scene Study Workshop
Monday, July 21, 6pm-9pm
Students will break down, analyze and perform small scenes in terms of their dramatic structure and emotional beats. They will work on and perform the scene with a partner. All materials will be provided.

Week 3: Musical Theatre Workshop
Monday, July 28, 6pm-9pm
Students will break down and work on an ensemble piece of musical theatre. They will work on acting the song, the movement/choreography, and vocal. They will put it all together and perform the piece at the end of the evening. Parents are welcome to come return at 8:55pm that evening and watch the class' creation.

Week 4: Monologue Workshop
Monday, August 4, 6pm-9pm
Students choose a monologue from selections provided by the instructor. They learn how to see the overall objective and break it down into emotional beats. They will get individual time with the instructor to work on piece and we will get it performance ready. They will be able to use this monologue for the audition workshop. This class is highly recommended for anyone taking the audition workshop.

Week 5: Audition Workshop
Monday, August 11, 6pm-9pm
Students will use monologues they have worked on in the monologue workshop or that they bring in. (The monologue should be memorized). They will rehearse presenting their piece in an audition-like situation. They will get to work on cold reading from scripts. They will review how to present themselves in an audition, break down material, make interesting choices quickly, and gain self-confidence necessary to audition for theatrical roles. The monologue class is highly recommended for the audition workshop.

All classes will be held at the Williamston Theatre at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston. For additional information or to register for either spring session class, please call the Theatre office at (517) 655-7469, Monday - Friday, 10am-6pm.

MOVEMENT FOR THE ADULT ACTOR
Dates: Mondays, July 21 - August 25
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Cost: $125
Ages: 18 and older
Class size: minimum 6, maximum 16
Registration: Begins June 16
Teacher: Sandra Birch

Over the course of six weeks, students will work on the actor's warm up, recognizing and using impulse, character work and imagination, games, animals, acrobatics, stretch/strength and balance and, finally, adding words and dealing with script and text. This course is designed for all actors who wish to connect their bodies more fully with their acting. Students will explore the fundamentals of movement as it relates to the theatre i.e.: ballet, acrobatics, mime, calisthetics, etc. The course involves some discussion but is mostly practical work.

Through my own work with the various teachers in my career, I have discovered that the value of the physical work lies in the struggle, rather than the victory. The falling is just as interesting as the walking. Making a technical, physical choice can produce an emotional truth. To enact the truth onstage, and to fully reveal himself, an actor needs to feel safe in his workspace and his own skin. Together we will discover each student's authenticity. Through movement we will "remember" who we are. ~ Sandra Birch

Sandra Birch is a veteran actor and teacher, best known for her work at the Purple Rose, Meadowbrook, Performance Network and, most recently, the Williamston Theatre, where she was a member of the award-winning ensemble of the groundbreaking production Maidens, Mothers and Crones: Voices From Women of the Midwest. She has been a professional actress both here and in her adopted home of Canada for 25 years. She won the Detroit Free Press Best Actress Awards for Stand, Julie Johnson and Blithe Spirit, all at the Purple Rose Theatre Company where she is also a Resident Artist.