Course Number: H98.1009

Dates: Mondays and Fridays, 2 Nov - 30 Nov 2009 (both dates inclusive, 8 sessions total. No class on 27 Nov (public holiday).

Time: 7pm to 10pm

Venue: Black Box Theatre

Price: $2,592

Instructor: John Wills Martin

ENROLL IN THIS COURSE

This is a workshop devoted to monologue and scene study that uses exercises, scene analysis and improvisation to bring scripts to life.  

Students will be encouraged to explore various types of plays and film scripts, both drama and comedy, classic and contemporary.  Students will be provided with a list of scripts and will be allowed to choose the material they work on.

The class will begin with cold readings and quickly move into text analysis based on the methods of Uta Hagen and Judith Weston. Work on the scenes will emphasize the importance of making specific choices regarding character objectives, obstacles and actions, and students will learn to commit to the given circumstances.

Various exercises will be used to help the actor “be in the moment.”  The majority of the time will be spent work-shopping the scenes and monologues.  Improvisations and exercises will be directly related to the scenes at hand. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of observation, responsiveness and listening.

As this is a studio class, the goal is for each actor to participate in each session.  Stress will be placed on preparation as the key to unlocking a vibrant, spontaneous performance.  Actors should come ready to work and play in a supportive and creative environment.  

Requirements:  a minimum of one scene (maximum 8 minutes) and one monologue to be prepared, work-shopped and presented in class.  All scenes must have a clear sense of blocking and strong choices regarding character intentions, relationships, and business.  All text must be memorized.  Actors will be required to maintain an “Actor’s Notebook” and to write the character's pre-life and an inner monologue for each scene.  Actors must read the entire script from which the scene is selected.