Workshop Descriptions

Workshop Descriptions:
Design, Technology, and Management (DTM)
Alternative Avenues in the Entertainment Industry with Jesse
Dreikosen. A session to discuss the alternative design careers one can pursue
other than traditional theatre. This workshop will explore the answers to the
question “what do I do with a theatre design degree?” by looking at
professional designer’s work that will inspire you to think “outside the box”
when it comes to picking a career path. (Saturday 4:00-5:30pm Bldg. B,
Rm. 101, DARTON STATE)
A Conversation with Jane Childs. An opportunity for you to learn more
about the famed Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas and the exciting things
happening at SILV. Jane, a co-founder of SILV, is one of the most generous
and student-centered people you will ever meet and she has spent a lifetime
creating opportunities for students. This should not be missed! (Friday
4:00-5:00pm Bldg. C, Rm. 203, DARTON STATE)
A Stage Management Conversation with David Apichell A round table
discussion for aspiring stage managers. Topics will include training,
internships, the job search, AEA, and many others. (Friday 9:00-10:30am
Bldg. C, Rm. 203, DARTON STATE)
A Stage Management Conversation with Kathy Synder A round table
discussion for aspiring stage managers. Topics will include training,
internships, the job search, AEA, and many others. (Friday 2:30-4:00pm
Bldg. G, Rm. 202, Library, DARTON STATE)
Designer Director Collaboration with Michelle Ney and Charles Ney. This
session will address one of the most important elements of theatrical
production, the collaboration between the director and the designer. Michelle
and Charles will focus on how to create the ideal production environment.
(Friday 3:00-4:00pm Bldg. J, Rm. 133, DARTON STATE)
Do You Believe In Magic (Sheets)? with Paul Collins. The Magic Sheet is a
graphical ‘cheat-sheet’ and an invaluable tool for the lighting designer from
the beginning of the design process to the last day of tech. The workshop will
focus on techniques for creating effective magic sheets, as well as the
creation of different styles of magic sheets for different types of productions.
LDs at any level are encouraged to attend, whether you already use magic
sheets extensively, or if you are unfamiliar with this mythical beast.
(Thursday 2:00-3:30pm Bldg. J, Rm. 133, DARTON STATE)
Getting Hired with Val Winkelman. A Question and Answer Session on: The
Job Search, Application Process Dos and Don'ts, and Networking. Feel free to
bring your resume. (Thursday 4:00-5:00pm Bldg. J, Rm. 133, DARTON
STATE)
Introduction to Millinery Techniques (I’m talking Hats!!) with
Stephanie Shaw. This session is a brief introduction to millinery techniques
practiced in theatre. We will review how to take measurements, individual
hat components, basic structure materials including buckram and felt, and
participants will have the opportunity to build a fabric based hat. Participants
must know a minimum of hand sewing techniques to take part in fabric hat
construction. Those without sewing skills are welcome to observe.
(Thursday 1:00-2:30pm Bldg. C, Rm. 252, DARTON STATE)
Introduction to Theatrical Photography with William C. Kenyon. This
hands-on workshop, appropriate for beginners and those with some
experience, will discuss the challenges of capturing theatrical pictures for
your design & technical portfolio. Students from all areas are welcome.
Please bring your camera, as we will spend some time working with the
various specialized settings available to digital cameras. If you have access
to the manual, bring that too! Feel free to join us even if you don’t have a
camera, or are thinking about getting one, you will still get a lot out of this
session. (Thursday 6:00-7:30pm Bldg. B, Rm. 101, DARTON STATE)
Marker Rendering Basics for Costume Design with Alyssa Couturier. In
this hands-on workshop Alyssa will demonstrate the basic techniques for
marker application in costume rendering. (Thursday 6:00-7:30pm; Bldg. C
Rm. 252, DARTON STATE)
Theatrical Tradition to the Monstrosities of the Silver Screen: Masks
for Theatre & Film with Brad Darvas. In this workshop we will discuss both
traditional and modern materials commonly used in theatrical mask making
including: leather, paper mache, fosshape, friendly plastic, and epoxy resins
(magic sculpt). We then will discuss materials and techniques in creating
creature masks and prosthetics used in film and television, (latex, foam
latex, silicone, and polyfoam). This session is full of information and
resources that anyone interested in masks, special makeup effects, or props
will not want to miss! (Friday 1:00-2:30pm Bldg. J, Rm. 133, DARTON
STATE)
Patterning with a Half-Scale Dress Form with Marina Pareja. This
workshop will show you how to use the half-scale form for costumes both
design and construction. We will discuss the benefits of working in half scale
including how to create muslin and/or paper samples of period garments,
resources for patterning, and enlarging patterns to 50% and 100% from
books and other sources. (Wednesday 9:00-10:30am Bldg G, Rm. 202,
Library, and Thursday 9:00-10:30am Bldg. B, Rm. 101, DARTON
STATE)
Planning & Managing the Entire Production Process with Jim Lile. This
session is a discussion about how to approach all aspects of the production
process; design, budgeting, scheduling, build, load in, tech rehearsals,
performances, and strike. We will also address the different methods to
manage available resources; time, labor, and materials. It all starts with
effective collaboration. (Saturday 10:30-12:00pm Bldg. C, Rm. 203,
DARTON STATE)
Rendering with Pastels with David Tidwell. Hands on workshop focused on
scenic, costume, and lighting design rendering with pastels. Techniques will
include dry and wet techniques as well as methods of pastels. (Friday, 9:00
– 10:30 am, Bldg. G, Rm 202, Library, DARTON STATE).
Sinful Design with Tony Galaska. Join up with fellow designers from across
Region 4 to create a design of one of the seven deadly sins! The three day
intensive will begin with planning and creating an approach to the design,
continue with the execution of the choices, and finish off with finalizing the
project and discussion of the approach. After completion the designs will be
on display in the design expo. This exciting workshop will require all of your
design and collaborative powers. Be ready to draw, create, and have a
sinfully good time!! (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 – 10:30
am; Bldg. F, Rm. 117, DARTON STATE).
Sound Design Roundtable Discussion with Richelle Thompson. A round
table discussion for aspiring sound designers. Come and hear about Richelle’s
process as a sound designer and how he is creating the current show he is
involved in at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. (Wednesday 3:005:00pm; Bldg. G Rm. 202, Library, DARTON STATE)
Visual Art to Theatre Design: Becoming a Multi-faceted Designer
with Jennifer Baker. This workshop explores techniques and exercises
developed through a background in visual arts and the translation to
theatrical design. We will explore how to take non-theatrical approaches to
design challenges when working "outside of the box", among other ideas.
There will be some interactive hands on work involved. (Saturday, 9:00 10:00am, Bldg. C, Rm. 203 DARTON STATE).
GENERAL
Collecting Theatrical Historical Memorabilia with David Tidwell.
Discussion, technique, demonstration and examples in collecting Theatrical
renderings, drawings and related theatrical items. Workshop will be in
conjunction with a historical rendering display of more than 40 important
original scenic, costume and lighting designers of the 18th, 19th and 20th
century. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and learn methods
for starting their own rendering collection for personal or departmental use.
(Wednesday, 11:00am -12:30PM, Bldg. C, Rm. 266-C, DARTON
STATE)
Faculty Response Training with Jeff Green. Information for faculty
interested in responding for KCACTF. The Region Chair shares the philosophy
and answers questions. (Wednesday, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Bldg. C, Rm. 203,
DARTON STATE)
Film Screening: SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS. Take Shakespeare’s
final play, The Tempest with its violent seas, windswept island, crucial
connection to nature, and underlying theme of forgiveness and bring it into a
prison, the ultimate venue of confinement. The result is an extraordinary
story about the creative process and the power of art to heal and redeem—in
a place where the very act of participation in theatre is a human triumph and
a means of personal liberation.
In Hank Rogerson’s revelatory trip into and around this prison production, we
embark on a year-long journey with the Shakespeare Behind Bars theatre
troupe. Let by director Curt Tofteland, whose innovative work with Luther
Luckett inmates begin in the mid-1990’s, the prisoners cast themselves in
roles reflecting their personal history and fate. Their individual stories,
including information about their heinous crimes, are interwoven with the
plot of The Tempest as the inmates delve deeply into the characters they
portray while confronting their personal demons.
SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS is a tremendously moving film, where the
protagonists are not merely defined by their crimes, but are afforded dignity
and a fresh chance to look truth in the eye, and embrace it. Written and
directed by Hank Rogerson and produced the Jilan Spitzmiller, the husband
and wife team of 15 years, including the award-winning documentary
HOMELAND for ITVS and CIRCLE OF STORIES, also for ITVS, which was part
of the Sundance Online Film Festival in 2003.
Produced by Philomat Films in association with the Independent Television
Service (ITVS) and the BBC, with major funding provided by the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting. The film has received major support from the
Sundance Institute Documentary Story and Edit Lab, as well as the Sundance
Documentary Composer’s Lab in 2004. (Wednesday 1:30 -3:00PM Bldg J,
Rm 133, DARTON STATE).
Q & A with Curt Tofteland The creative force behind SHAKESPEARE
BEHIND BARS answers your questions about this amazing documentary.
(Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00pm, Bldg. J, Rm. 133 DARTON STATE).
Owning your Artistic Identity with Aaron Rossini of ASTEP. What are you
passionate about? What are you good at? What could the world use more of?
Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP) wants to help you locate the perfect
intersection between your unique passion and the needs of your community.
We’ll veer away from the straight-and-narrow to consider non-traditional
career paths, and to help you find what resonates deepest with you in order
to use it to shape your life, your art, and the world around you. (Thursday
4:00 – 5:00PM, Bldg. C, Rm. 252, DARTON STATE)
Songspotting with Brittany Ayers. Everyone has the ability to write a song,
and this workshop will help you find your inner lyricist. In this workshop
students will study the basis AABA song structure in classic music theater
songs, as well as contemporary pop songs. In analyzing the songs, students
recognize how a song functions in the greater arc of a story. The second half
of the workshop is spent writing the lyrics for a song inspired by dramatic
text. Students will walk away with a sense of empowerment about their own
song-writing abilities. (Thursday, 4:00 – 6:00PM, Bldg.C, Rm. 203,
DARTON STATE).
What We Do Together Makes A Difference: theatre for social change
with Sarah Mitchel of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. You don't have to
stop what you're doing to help. Instead, use what you're doing to make a
difference! Learn how Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has empowered
college theatre students nationwide to raise money and awareness for a
variety of causes. By doing what you love, you can help men, women, and
children in your own community, nationwide and around the world. Come
learn how easy, fun and rewarding it is to make a difference through your
art. (Wednesday, 9:00 – 10:30am; Bldg. C, Rm. 266-C AND 4:00 –
5:00pm, Bldg. C, Rm. 252, DARTON STATE)
PERFORMANCE
A Career in the Theatre with Tom Miller of Actor’s Equity. Equity protects
and secures the rights of actors and stage managers. The workshop explains
how and when to join and the benefits of membership. It will offer pragmatic
insight into balancing artistic and business mindsets and provide tips on
negotiating, record keeping, networking, and more. The session is Q & A
driven and is designed to ease the transition from an academic environment
to a professional career. (Thursday, 1:00 – 2:00PM; Bldg. J, Rm. 133,
DARTON STATE).
Activating the Monologue with Kevin Kennison. Opening new approaches
to the performance of the monologue by reminding the actor about making
bold, specific, personal choices. After the workshop, students will be much
more open to initial exploration of the material in order to determine the
strongest acting choices for an active experience with the monologue.
Students should bring a copy of the piece or the play if available. Observers
welcome! (Thursday, 3:00 – 4:30PM, Bldg. J, Rm. 124 – 126, DARTON
STATE).
All About the Base with Rebecca Covey. This hands-on workshop offers
lively physical exercises that encourage an embodied voice. Specifically, we
will explore opening up the lower body to the possibilities of vibration to
achieve a fuller, richer, more direct connection to the voice. Participants
should arrive prepared with a short (1 minute) monologue so they can bring
the lower body vibrations into text and even into characterization. (Friday,
12:00 – 1:00PM, Bldg C, Rm. 266, DARTON STATE)
Audition Monologues: How to Get the Job Done with Thomas Keith.
This workshop will look at the practical aspects of the actor’s responsibilities
when it comes to performing monologues for auditions, including choosing a
piece, analysis, rehearsal, focus, character, and the audition experience. At
least 5 participants will need to arrive prepared to perform a 90 second
monologue of any kind. Everyone should bring a notebook and something to
write with. ( Wednesday, 1:00 – 2:30pm, Bldg. J, Rm. 121-123,
DARTON STATE)
Droznin: An Introduction to Russian Movement with Brittany Ayers.
Actors require a methodical key to unlock their impulses. Through a series of
rigorous physical exercises, students access physical freedom and are able to
truthfully respond to their impulses. Students will be introduced to partner
acrobatics and learn to connect with their scene partners on a purely physical
level. In this workshop, students will be introduced to Russia's foremost
movement technique, developed by Andrei Droznin, Professor of Stage
Movement at the world renowned Moscow Art Theatre. (Friday, 9:30 –
11:00 am, Student Center Ballroom, ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY).
Embodying Shakespeare’s Verse with Adriano Cabral The voice and body
are inherently connected. After a brief destructuring sequence inspired by
Fitzmaurice Voicework, we will explore dynamic movement through an
investigation of Laban Efforts and dynamic speech through a focus on
Lessac’s Consonant Orchestra. By combining these two techniques, we will
explore how the physical and vocal inform the meaning of Shakespeare’s
text. Wear movement clothes! (Saturday, 3:00 – 4:30PM, Bldg. C,
Rm. 266-C, DARTON STATE).
Michael Chekhov: Unite Body, Mind, and Spirit with Lisa Dalton. This
Michael Chekhov Technique intro class is a psychophysical workout that will
help you get your ideas out of your head through your body/voice to the
audience. Play with fun tools for characterization and instant emotional
power without pain. Learn techniques to reduce anxiety and get objectives
off the page and onto the stage. Bring a one minute monologue or 8 line
scene with a partner. Workout clothes, soft-soled shoes/barefoot. Take this
class after Mind Maps of Chekhov and with Psychological Gesture. Both
students and faculty welcome. (Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 am, Bldg. J
124-126, Darton State).
Mind Maps of Michael Chekhov for Actors and Teachers with Lisa
Dalton. Discover in active play how the Chekhov tools unite with logical
learning structure enriching us as performers and human beings. Shortly
before passing, he drew a Chart for Inspired Acting for Mala Powers, who in
turn gave it to Lisa with the Goblet and the Graph of Imagination to further
understand creativity. Lisa Dalton shares these interactively with
experiential games and exercises to help us grasp how to meet three
universal challenges all storytellers must. (Thursday, 11:00 – 12:30pm
Bldg. J, 124-126, Darton State)
Movement for Actors: Jazz Dance (All Levels) with Dr. Elizabeth “Liz”
Delancy. This high energy dance class will explore a range of jazz elements:
isolations, rhythms, and dynamics. The warm up, across the floor
progressions and dance combinations will reinforce or teach participants
dance movement that should be a part of the musical theatre actor's
movement vocabulary. (Friday, 11:00 am – 12:30PM, E Building—
Cavalier Arena, Rm. 108, DARTON STATE).
Musical Theatre Dance: Intermediate Level with Paul Finocchiaro. A
true intermediate level dance class that will contain warm-up, across the
floor and combination along with lecture interjections and a questions and
answer period. All attendees should arrive with dance clothes and dance
shoes. (Friday 9 -10:30 AM, BLDG C. RM. 251, DARTON STATE)
Psychological Gesture: What is it and How do I find it? With Lisa
Dalton. Imagine being able, in one breath, to instantly transform into the
character's thoughts, feelings, desires, and physicality! For actors, directors,
and teachers this highly active "playshop" will reveal the powers of Michael
Chekhov's most famous and often misinterpreted gift to performing artists:
The PG. Learn what it is plus three pathways to discover the most powerful
PG! Come prepared to move freely, with three lines of text from a character.
Great to take with Mind Maps and Michael Chekhov: Unite Body, Mind, Spirit.
(Thursday 3:00 -4:30PM, J 124-126 AND Saturday 2:00 -4:00PM, J
124-126, DARTON STATE.
Shakespeare: Don’t be Scared, It Doesn’t Hurt with Dr. John Ray
Proctor. Actors learn to work with Shakespeare's text because, like learning
to sing because musicals get produced often, companies produce
Shakespeare--very often. This workshop will help participants figure out how
to make sense of Shakespeare's texts for cold readings, monologues, and
scene work. The focus of this workshop will be doing away with
"Shakespeare Voice" and learning to use your own voice when approaching
this material. We are going to try and figure out how to talk like people…who
just happen to be speaking Shakespeare's words. We are going to look for
subjects, verbs, intentions, and objectives. We're going to ask "What do you
want?"--a lot. (Wednesday, 1:00 -2:30 PM, Billie C. Black Auditorium,
ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY)
Sight Reading with Lisa Abbott. Introduction to and work on basic sight
reading skills for auditions. Participants will work on effective ways to work a
cold audition, sight read effectively while making clear choices, connecting to
a scene partner/ready/camera, and get some tips for improving this
fundamental skill necessary for auditions. (Thursday, 10:00 – 11:30AM,
Bldg. J, Rm. 121-123, DARTON STATE)
Talking Bodies with Barney Baggett. Appealing to the fearless creators and
performers of the next generation, this workshop approaches performance,
playwriting, and directing from a movement based perspective of physical
euphoria. Combining elements of Butoh, Mime, and Acrobatics, this workshop
is for those interested in pioneering both new works and new worlds.Move
your body, abandon your intellect, create your own work, and be the next
genius. Actors, Dancers, and Singers welcome. Come dressed to move and
ready to sweat. (Thursday, 11:30 am – 1:00PM, Bldg. J, Rm. 121-123,
DARTON STATE)
The Art of Play with Barney Baggett. Abandon the self and engage what
really matters: the play. Learn how losers triumph, victors fail, and
everybody wins in this physical theatre workshop that explores how the
game is truly played. Rooted in the principles of the Dell'Arte International
School of Physical Theatre, participants will approach performance and
creation through the lens of game and strategy, unlocking the secret tactics
of the body and revealing the infinite play within us all. (Saturday 12:00 1:30PM, J 124-126, DARTON STATE)
Using the Sounds of Shakespeare with Andrew Basenak. This workshop
breaks down large speeches into playable bits that allow actors to make a
great variety of character and story choices based in the sounds of
Shakespeare's words. Students are invited to bring their own 12 - 16 line
monologues, but we will also work on selections from Titus Andronicus and
The Comedy of Errors. (Saturday, 10:30 -12, J 121-123, DARTON
STATE)
Voice Acting or How to Make Money in a Totally Different Medium with
Richard Bristow. Voice Overs, Animation, Videogames, and Commercials!
The art of voice acting or how to use all your acting skills to make money in a
totally different medium. Tips on how to get an agent, how to set up your
own home studio for about $100 and much, much, more! (Thursday 1:00 –
3:00; Friday 2:00 – 4:00PM; Bldg. C. Rm. 252, DARTON STATE)
NPP/Dramaturgy
The Building Blocks of Action with Richard Herman. How do you as a
playwright develop your plot? How do you select and create an order of
events that provide meaning? What is the importance of a scenario? Does
your plot have to follow a formula? What are the outcomes you are seeking?
And ultimately, how do you tell your story? These are some of the questions
we will explore in creating action in your plays. (Friday, 1:00 – 2:00PM;
Bldg. B, Rm. 101, DARTON STATE)
Creative Strengthening Agents with Nancy Lee Painter. What are some
ways to dive more deeply into creating strong characters, conflict and point
of view? Whether you are a playwright, actor, or director, courageously
looking inside yourself and the world around you holds a wealth of rich
information and inspiration. Exercises in curious and honest observation are
at the center of this workshop. (Wednesday, 1:00 – 2:00PM; Bldg. B,
Rm. 101, DARTON STATE)
Drawing a Play with Heather Helinsky. In this two-part class taught by
professional dramaturg Heather Helinsky, we will explore the process of
drawing a play (that’s right, actually drawing!) as a method for interpreting
scripts, classic and contemporary. Please bring materials for sketching (oldfashioned or high tech). You can opt to come to one part of the workshop or
stay for both. Design students are encouraged to attend. (Wednesday,
3:00 – 5:00PM; Thursday, 5:00 – 6:30PM; Bldg. C, Rm. 252 DARTON
STATE)
Get Your Play Off the Stack with Nick Newell. Advice for playwrights on
the unwritten rules of new play submission. Practical and vital advice for
students who aspire to be read and produced. (Thursday, 1:00 – 2:00PM;
Bldg. B, Rm. 101 DARTON STATE