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Mainstage 2000 |
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SPECIAL THEATRE COURSES Acting / Camera Work / Directing / Improvisation / Make-Up / Movement / |
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Spend time exploring the beauty of Shakespeare's prose and poetry, investigating the power of his sonnets and soliloquies. This workshop will concentrate on the dynamics, rhythms and cadence used in the execution and delivery of this classical text. Shakespearean text is a living, breathing language that is vibrant and exciting using words that connect the mind and body, allowing the speaker to communicate openly and effectively. The emphasis is on making Shakespeare fun, understandable, and accessible.
Course Requirements: Class size - 12 people. Wear loose clothing and bring a Monologue or Sonnet.
DEAN PAUL GIBSON: Dean has just returned from the national tour
of the acclaimed production “The Overcoat” for the Vancouver Playhouse
and was a member of the original award-winning production in 1997. He is an artistic
associate with Vancouver's celebrated Shakespeare Festival BARD ON THE BEACH and has
appeared in fifteen of their productions. This past
year Dean was featured in the award winning GreenThumb productionof “Problem
Child”, which also garnered him a JESSIE RICHARDSON award for his work. His most
recent credits include; Rex Pringle in the BELFRY THEATRE'S production of “A
Guide to Mourning”, Lucio in “Measure for Measure” for BARD
ON THE BEACH, Ray Say in “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” for the
VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE, Inspector Goole ”An Inspector Calls
“W.C.T.C./Gateway Theatre. He also appeared in “Remnant” PACIFIC
THEATRE, “Amadeus” and “Other Peoples Money” both
for W.C.T.C., TROLLDOM AXIS THEATRE,
“A Christmas Carol” THEATRE ONE. Dean has also taught classes and
workshops for Backstage, MainStage, Capilano College and Bard on the Beach focused on the
Love of Language. His production of “Decedence” was a critical hit at
last years FRINGE FESTIVAL and sold out for its run. Dean is a graduate of Vancouver's
prestigious STUDIO 58 professional theatre training program
Words are the actor’s most important tool. With them, she can touch our hearts, our minds, and our souls. She can create the music, the wit, the passion, and the meaning of the theatrical experience. Using a selection of classical and contemporary speeches, we will explore an actor’s approach to words as tools in the creation of character and realization of the play.
Requirements: Bring a dictionary. Wear comfortable clothing.
MARTIN KINCH:
began his professional career in 1967 as an Assistant Director at England's famed
Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Two years later, he returned to Canada as Assistant Director
at the Stratford Festival. He was Artistic Director of Toronto's Theatre Passe Muraille
and from 1972 to 1979, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Toronto Free Theatre. In 1980,
Martin joined the CBC as a Drama Producer and Director. From 1985 to 1991, Martin served
as Artistic Director and Executive Producer at
Theatre Calgary and directed a number of productions. His favorites included Joan
MacLeod's “Toronto Mississippi”, Anton Chekov's “Uncle Vanya,”
Sheldon Rosen's “Souvenirs”, and his own adaptation of Charles Dickens'
“A Christmas Carol”, which is now a Christmas tradition in Calgary. In
1994, Martin settled in Vancouver as a freelance writer and director and has focussed his
attention on radio and television. His television production of Joan MacLeod's
“Amigo's Blue Guitar” aired on Bravo! “Becker", a mystery series he
created for CBC is now available on audio cassettes. He has written for “Jake and the
Kid” and “The Hardy Boys”. He divides his life between Vancouver, where he
serves on the Board of Playwrights Theatre Centre and Memorial University of Newfoundland
(Grenfell College), where he teaches and directs on a regular basis.
For Theatre BC, Martin has adjudicated the provincial MAINSTAGE Festival twice, in 1991
(Nelson), and 1994, (Cranbrook), served as a Zone Festival adjudicator for several Zones,
as a dramaturge at the New Play Workshops and as one of three jurors for Theatre BC's 9th
Annual Canadian National Playwriting Competition (1997).
Whether it's Stratford or Shaw, the Arts Club or the Lumby Little Theatre sometime you may find yourself auditioning using a prepared monologue. Director/actor Robert Metcalfe can help you show yourself off to your best advantage. He will share with you what directors are looking for and how to bring that to your work. At the end of the day participants will have an opportunity to be involved in a simulated audition set up with directors from How to Cast Using the Prepared Monologue. Getting the job is the hard part, let Bob show you how.
Requirements: Be very familiar with a 2 minute monologue, memorized is best.
ROBERT
METCALFE: has worked across Canada as an actor, director and fight choreographer
since graduating from Studio 58 in 1980. Locally, Robert has been seen on the stages of
the Vancouver Playhouse, the Arts Club, Richmond Gateway Theatre, Touchstone Theatre and
Green Thumb Theatre. He has also appeared in "the usual" American films and
television shows. With John Lazarus, Robert adapted Feydeau's "L'Hotel Du Libre
Exchange" into a sixties romp, "Hotel Freedom". Robert has directed
more than twenty professional productions including "Peter Pan" for Richmond
Gateway Theatre, "Barbie's Next Life" at the Kiss Project, and "The
Odd Couple" for the Theatre Department of Douglas College. Bob was the Associate
Artistic Director at Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver for two
years and his Production of "New Kid" was awarded the Reuters Prize for
"Outstanding Production" atthe 1997 Dublin International Theatre Festival. This
spring keep an eye open for the touring production of "The Number 14"
which Robert directed. Previously for Theatre BC, he has served as a Guest Director,
Adjudicator of the North Shore and Okanagan Zone Festivals in 1998 and the North Island
Zone in 1999, a Regional Workshop on directing in Cranbrook earlier this year, and has
proven to be a popular BACKSTAGE Instructor. Theatre BC is also pleased to offer Robert's
expertise once again this spring, as Adjudicator for the Kootenay Zone Festival in May.
You've got the role but you've also got a first time director, how do you ensure that you can do your best work? The director's responsibility is the whole play. As an actor you are concerned with mining the text for the information you need to create the character. Mary Lou will show you to break down the script and chart the emotional life of the role.You will have a blueprint on how to structure your own performance in relationship to your fellow actors.
Requirements: Bring a notebook, a snack and an open mind
MARY LOU WHITTAKER:
Ms. Whittaker started her career as a dancer and over many years has worked as a stage
manager, producer,
directorand choreographer in England, across Canada, and in Vancouver. Mary Lou graduated
from UBC with a BA in Drama. Ms.Whittaker has taught Stage Management, Movement and Acting
at Langara College. Mary Lou has worked on over 100 productions in various capacities for
Vancouver’s major companies, including The Playhouse, Arts Club, City Stage,
Greenthumb and West Coast Actors.
Bart will introduce you to the fundamentals of camera techniques. Through his through method of working Bart will help you access your impulses and bring a script to life while working in a limited time frame. Topics covered: text analysis, truthful acting, using the script, objectives and slating. Can be taken alone or with Prepared Reading Audition. 3hrs.
Requirements: bring a VHS tape
PREPARED READING AUDITION
Scripts from the morning class are worked in detail on camera further exploring
each moment. You will learn how to get off book in a hurry, what "they" are
looking for, referencing, relationship to the camera and creating your working
environment. Those wishing to take only this class can get the sides when they register.
Requirements: learn the short scene bring a VHS tape
BART ANDERSON: Bart is a Ryerson Theatre School graduate and an established acting instructor. He is an award winning actor who has worked extensively in film and television and on the stage. Bart has taught at Gas Town Actors Studio, the VancouverFilm School, and Spotlight Academy. He has been a popular instructor at Mainstage and Backstage. In 1998 Bart received a Jesse Award for outstanding performer for his work in his one man show At “Demons With My Face”.
This workshop focuses on bringing the most you can to the audition. Using scenes from film and television scripts, each actor will be put on tape, recreating the actual audition experience. Scenes will be critiqued with the
objective of what is needed to win at auditions. How does an actor really make a scene "their own"? What are the casting director, producer, and director looking for? How can I bring this character to life? Make it stand out? We will tear apart the sides and learn how to put them back together in exciting ways. How to "do your homework" then "throw it away" and have fun at the audition!
Requirements: Bring VHS tape.
JUDY NORTON: A resident teacher at the Actors Working Academy, Judy has been acting since the age of 7. She is best known for her nine years as Mary Ellen on the Emmy Award winning series The Waltons. On stage, Judy has starred in numerous productions including: Cinderella, Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, Social Security, Ranchers and Rustlers, Volstead Blues, Weekend Comedy, and Move Over Mrs. Markham. For eight years, Judy was the co-artistic director for two theatres in Canada, Celebrationsin Winnipeg, and Jubilations in Edmonton. During this time she collaborated as a writer and director on more than forty shows.
Much of the success of a production is determined long before the actors and director assemble in the rehearsal hall. How do we analyze a text from a practical point of view specific to directing? How does a production become infused with passion, energy, clarity, creativity, evocative imagery and fun? What are the practical tools needed to prepare for rehearsals? How do we follow through in the rehearsal hall? This workshop follows thedirectors process from choosing the script through to opening night with special emphasis on pre-production.
Requirements: Workshop participants are asked to be familiar with John Steinbecks “Of Mice And Men”. Please bring lots of questions.
JOHN COOPER: John has directed over 90 productions at theatres across Canada. John received Jesse Richardson Awards for his direction of George Walkers “Love And Anger” and Terence McNallys “Lips Together, Teeth Apart”, both for The Vancouver Playhouse. This season John has directed “15 SECONDS” for Alberta Theatre Projects, “High Life” for The Arts Club Theatre, “Big Mamma!” for Calgary's Lunchbox Theatre, “999” for The Richmond Gateway Theatre, “Red Mango” for The Belfry Theatre and “Je Me Souviens”, written and performed by his wife Lorena Gale, for The Firehall and Belfry Theatres.
Ok, directors you are holding auditions and everyone is doing their Hamlet monologues for your production of True West, now what? Kathleen Weiss has great techniques to make actors feel comfortable in an audition situation. She can give you tips on how to audition in groups, check on actors' flexibility and range, and determine which actors will work best together.
At the end of the day participants will have an opportunity to be involved in a simulated audition set up with participants from the Exploring the Monologue.
Requirements: bring a notebook
KATHLEEN WEISS: Kate is a director,
teacher and dramaturge. She was the Artistic Director of Women In View for seven years and
is also a former Artistic Director of Tamahnous Theatre. she is known across the country
for work with new scripts and innovative projects. She has directed in all of Vancouver's
major theatres and has taught and directed for Studio 58, The Vancouver Playhouse School,
UBC, SFU and the TooBa Physical Theatre Centre. Kate's recent directing credits include
"Strangers Among
Us “for Western Gold Theatre and "Step Right Up"for Theatre
Terrific.
Previously for Theatre BC, Kate has served as an Adjudicator, Playwriting Competition
Juror, Workshop Instructor and, this spring, as a New Play Festival Dramaturge.
IMPROVE YOUR IMPROV
This workshop will examine the basic elements, rules and skills used in Improvisation,
beginning with the premise: On what do we base a scriptless scene? Through games and
exercises participants learn to loosen up and at the same time follow fundamental
guidelines toward what works and what hurts a scene. It’s a lot of fun and you will
be acquiring a valuable theatrical skill. Your acting will never be the same!!!
DONALD ADAMS:Donald began his theatrical career over twenty years ago in
Vancouver. He attended the Vancouver Playhouse Acting School and was a member of the
Playhouse acting company for two seasons. In 1982 he moved to Toronto and appeared with
Second City, Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, and Tarragon Theatre. Since returning to
Vancouver in 1996 he has appeared with the Arts Club in “The Three Penny Opera”
and “Hamlet”,Bard On the Beach in “As You Like It”and
“Richard III”, Touchstone Theatre in “It’s All
True” and “Cherry Docs”and the Playhouse Theatre in “Patience”.
Recent film and TV credits include “Nothing Too Good for a
Cowboy”, H-E- Double Hockey Sticks”, “Loyal Opposition”,
“Double Exposure”, “Millennium”, and “Titanic”
(the mini-series). Dons teaching credits include improv workshops at the Stratford
Festival, Tarragon, Waterloo University, Wilfred Laurier University and Centre In The
Square.
How to add a few years or look younger, how to shade the face for the stage, how to look your best under stage lighting, Jill can show you this and more in just a few short hours. Wigs and hairpieces can make you look and feel very different. Join Jill and let her share some of her beauty and stage secrets with you.
Requirements: Bring your kit if you have one, some materials provided.
JILL WYNESS: is a makeup addict. Since grade four, she has been fascinated by makeup's ability to transform the way things look, and the way people feel about the way they look. Jill has worked with makeup for theatre, film, print, television, fashion shows, and retail. She has even done makeup for store-window mannequins! Jill earned her BFA in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria. She has performed with Pacific Opera, Victoria, and is currently a sessional teacher for makeup at UBC's Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing.
Actors must have a sense of their bodies and how they move. The rhythm of the text, the costume, impulses from the other actors all contribute to your characters' movement. Cornelius can help you feel and move with more grace. Anyone can dance and have fun doing it,
Requirements: wear loose clothing
CORNELIUS FISCHER-CREDO: Born in
Germany and raised in Vancouver, Cornelius Fischer-Credo has had an extensive
international career in dance, both as Choreographer and performer. He has choreographed
over 30 original works for Dancecorps, a company he co-directed since 1988. His new
company, Astrid presented its inaugural production in the fall of 1999. He has also
choreographed works for
Toronto’s Dancemakers, the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet British Columbia and
Group de la Place Royale in Ottawa. He has been an instructor of modern dance for 15 years
teaching primarily within professional dance communities locally and internationally as
well as, being a sessional instructor for UBC’s School of Human Kinetics since 1994
and recently in the Theatre and Creative Writing Department also at UBC.
How does your character move? How do you handle those difficult period costumes? How to enter and exit scenes effectively. These are some of the questions Mary Lou will answer should you be taking her course.
Requirements: Please bring character shoes, rehersel skirts, tails, boas, fans etc., To facilitate this course.
MARY LOU WHITTAKER: Ms. Whittaker started her
career as a dancer and over many years has worked as a stage manager, producer,
directorand choreographer in England, across Canada, and in Vancouver. Mary Lou graduated
from UBC with a BA in Drama. Ms.Whittaker has taught Stage Management, Movement and Acting
at Langara College. Mary Lou has worked on over 100 productions in various capacities for
Vancouver’s major companies, including The Playhouse, Arts Club, City Stage,
Greenthumb and West Coast Actors.
Do you want to stipple, scumble, spatter, drybrush, drag and create interesting faux finishes? Alix can show you how. You will learn fast and effective scene painting techniques. You will feel like a pro when you
complete Alix's 4 hour hands on workshop.
Requirements: wear old clothes that might get painted. Alix will provide a canvas for each person, paint and brushes.
ALIX RODRIGUES: Alix has painted her way across Canada and made it to Vancouver 7 years ago. She has been working at the Playhouse ever since. She strongly encourages designers and directors to explore the world of paint as a great way to create mood, atmosphere and environment.
This workshop will encompass falling, fainting, face slaps, etc., as well as armed combat.
Requirements: Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
NICHOLAS HARRISON: Nicholas is a professional fight choreographer, actor, stuntman and director. He trained and worked as an actor in London, England and has an MFA in Directing. Recently Nicholas worked as the fight director for the feature film”Snow Falling on Cedars” by Scott Hicks (Shine), which was released this past fall. He is excited to be working with TBC once again, teaching people how to play and fight safely.
