Sample Classes
ACTING
INTRODUCTION TO VOICE-OVER WORK
with Beth Chaplin
A 3-hour workshop ~ Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $30
It's tough to break into voiceovers. Many, many people try -- some succeed. It requires a significant time commitment and some expense. Join us for three hours packed with information from a veteran of the business, who will discuss the realities of voiceover work, as well as local and online resources. You'll learn:
• Who hires voice talent?
• How many Twin Cities voice talent are working?
• Can a new talent really break in? What are your chances?
• What do agents and clients look for?
• How do you reach agents?
• How can you pursue voiceover work without an agent?
• What kind of work is available here in the Twin Cities?
• Can you pursue voiceover work in other markets?
• What constitutes a great voiceover demo? (Hear examples.)
• How much do you need to spend for studio time to record a demo?
• What does the audio engineer do for that price?
• What do you need to prepare before going to the studio?
THE ACTING BIZ
with Beth Chaplin
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $30
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $30
Beth Chaplin conducts this special three-hour workshop based on her award-winning new book, The Acting Biz: A Career Guide to the Twin Cities, a comprehensive look at all aspects of acting in the Twin Cities, from theatre to radio/TV commercials, industrials, voice-overs, and film. The workshop is a great introduction for newcomers, an up-to-date refresher for veterans, and an opportunity for everyone to ask questions and discuss the job of acting. (The book will be available at a discount for those attending)."This information can save you time, frustration and most likely some of your hard-earned money. Most importantly, it may very well increase your chances of success in the Twin Cities talent market."
Peta Barrett, owner/agent of Non-Union Talent Service
Peta Barrett, owner/agent of Non-Union Talent Service
COLD READINGS
with Tina Frederickson
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
with Tina Frederickson
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
This one-day workshop will help improve your readings from the script at auditions. Based on Michael Shertleff's book Audition and its 12 guideposts, you'll learn how to analyze a side to make strong, specific, and active choices for its best reading. You'll also find these techniques and ideas helpful as you begin the rehearsal process.
ACTING FOR NON-ACTORS
FOUR-SESSION CLASS
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $110
FOUR-SESSION CLASS
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $110
This course is designed for those who have always wanted to try acting but never had the opportunity. It will explore the actors' craft through group exercises using the imagination, as well as individual character work using basic physical and psychological approaches. All participants will be working on two-person scenes from contemporary playwrights.
COSTUMING
MILITARY COSTUMING
with Amy Kaufman
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $30
with Amy Kaufman
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $30
Whether you are costuming A Few Good Men or Les Miserables, this workshop will give you the information to build or find military garments, insignia, medals, and ribbons. You will benefit from Amy Kaufman's experience and research in uniforms for each military branch of the United States, Britain, Germany, and France, and learn how to distinguish rank, office, and awards from 1790 to the present. Local and online resources will be discussed, with time set aside for your questions and discussion.
DIRECTING
A SPECIAL SEMINAR OF DIRECTORS
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $40
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $40
Veteran directors will discuss directing for the stage -- establishing a concept and preparing a script; auditioning and casting; production design and tech; working with actors, their characterizations and styles; and more. This popular workshop gives you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the craft of directing.
PLAYING SHAKESPEARE
SONNETS: AN INTRODUCTION TO VERSE
with Doug Scholz-Carlson
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $35
with Doug Scholz-Carlson
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $35
This workshop will allow you to experience the power of some of the most speakable language ever written. By actively exploring sonnets, we will learn how you, the actor, can use verse and language to create a moving performance. Forget fear of Shakespeare and embrace the complexity of one of our greatest playwrights.
PLAYING SHAKESPEARE: SOLILOQUIES
with Doug Scholz-Carlson
THREE-SESSION CLASS
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $85
with Doug Scholz-Carlson
THREE-SESSION CLASS
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $85
For those who want more, we will build on our work on sonnets to explore action and character. Through active exercises, we will explore how to use Shakespeare's language and verse to bring a character life. Students will finish the class with an audition-ready, Shakespearean speech.
STAGE COMBAT
SWORDS FOR BEGINNERS
with David P. Schneider
3-HOUR WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
MacB! Hamlet! Cyrano! R&J! Just a few shows requiring some violence...all with flashy swords. In this class, you will learn the basics of a variety of swords. The parts, some history, and the basic techniques used in stage combat with swords. Learn proper technique for cuts, thrusts, parrys, and footwork to keep you safe while performing staged sword fights. With an emphasis on European swords, you'll get to use a several types of swords in training drills and choreography. Dress for movement; some sort of glove is highly recommended-gardening gloves, leather gauntlets, batting gloves, etc.
with David P. Schneider
3-HOUR WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
MacB! Hamlet! Cyrano! R&J! Just a few shows requiring some violence...all with flashy swords. In this class, you will learn the basics of a variety of swords. The parts, some history, and the basic techniques used in stage combat with swords. Learn proper technique for cuts, thrusts, parrys, and footwork to keep you safe while performing staged sword fights. With an emphasis on European swords, you'll get to use a several types of swords in training drills and choreography. Dress for movement; some sort of glove is highly recommended-gardening gloves, leather gauntlets, batting gloves, etc.
FAINTING, FALLING AND FAKING IT
with David P. Schneider
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
with David P. Schneider
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
Learn basic techniques of falling onstage -- getting to the ground safely and repeatedly (because your knees are difficult and expensive to replace!). In this two-hour class, we will explore numerous techniques of getting to the ground using different directions, intensities, and intentions. In addition to the physical process of safely finding the floor, we'll explore practical applications. And we'll even throw in additional stage-combat techniques for grappling, pushing, pulling, and throwing! (Some floor mats will be provided, but elbow and knee pads are also welcomed for the learning process. Long sleeves are also strongly encouraged.)
UNARMED STAGE COMBAT - BASIC TECHNIQUES
with David P. Schneider
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
with David P. Schneider
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $20
Learn the basic techniques used in unarmed stage combat -- the safe use of basic punches, slaps, kicks, and grappling. We'll also explore victim control and the techniques of masking and knaps. (Come dressed to move).
BASIC UNARMED STAGE COMBAT - BASIC TECHNIQUES
with David P. Schneider
THREE-SESSION CLASS
Date, time and cost to be announced
with David P. Schneider
THREE-SESSION CLASS
Date, time and cost to be announced
This class will train you in techniques and methods from basic actions on stage to types of fighting that require more involved choreography. By the end of this class, you will have a fully choreographed piece, as well as a greater understanding of the illusion of violence onstage.
VOCAL PRODUCTION
COMMERCIAL VOICE-OVER ACTING
with Larry Russo
ONE-DAY SEMINAR
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $65
Maximum enrollment: 14 students
"But only a few select people get to do voice-overs." Not true. But what do they know that you don't? How much skill is expected before seeking voice over work? What kinds of skill? There is a unique charm to acting through an aural-only medium. Does it suit you? What goes into a credible demo? This seminar is a detailed overview of the craft and business of voice-overs in commercials, industrials, web-recordings, books on tape, animation. We'll discuss needs and goals of producers, and what it takes to work with them - regularly. Hear good, bad and mediocre demos - and what makes them that way. Includes individual assessment of your interpretative style from a commercial point of view.
ADVANCED VOCAL PRODUCTION FOR ACTORS
THREE-SESSION WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $140
Maximum enrollment: 10 students. Come dressed for movement and fun!
Vocal Production: "Producing sound with the human vocal instrument, at maximum levels of efficiency. Typically refers to the body of technique used by both sung and spoken vocal artists." For trained actors: stage, screen, or voice-people, trying to make a living in the craft. But, this will be so much more useful for those who understand and have some experience at building a character. This practical, very physical three-day workshop teaches a systematic process to expand breath control, vocal range and power. Expect a detailed investigation of pitch and placement. With an ear toward building the skills of a character actor, technique for developing distinctly unique voices is explained. A normal human has at least hundreds of voices. Where are those critters in you? Expect a specific link between voice type and character type. Vocal sound is presented as an extension of character process and part of whole behavior - not just a body part.
VOICE
VOICE FUNDAMENTALS
with Cheryl Moore Brinkley
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Date and time to be announced ~ Cost: $75
Maximum enrollment: 14 students
Take the first steps toward learning to play that unique instrument you were born in. Explore the inner messages and social and cultural conditioning that may be undermining your confidence and keeping you from releasing your true vocal power. Gain a new awareness, identify your needs, warm up, open up, and give yourself permission to let yourself be clearly and fully heard.
VOICE & SPEECH FUNDAMENTALS
with Cheryl Moore Brinkley
in a special six-session class, at a time to better accommodate performers
Dates and times to be announced ~ Cost: $200
Take the first solid steps toward learning to play that unique instrument you were born in. Explore the inner messages and social conditioning that may be keeping you from releasing your true vocal power. This is a serious but fun basic spoken voice class for performers, singers, presenters, trainers, teachers -- anyone who speaks to reach out to others -- covering healthy voice production and projection, diction and articulation, flexibility, expression, and Standard American Pronunciation. Gain a new awareness, identify your own challenges, warm up, open up, and give yourself permission to be clearly and fully heard. No experience required. Maximum enrollment: 12. NOTE: course materials (CD and workbook) must be purchased from the instructor at the first class for an additional $15.00.
