Workshops
The following workshops will be offered at the 2009 Iowa Thespian Festival. If you are interested in presenting a presenting a workshop at this year's festival, please click here.
What’s Right For You: Selecting a University Theatre Program
Steve Taft, Ph.D., University of Northern Iowa
Choosing a college or university to attend can be a stressful experience. Choosing a major and the right home to pursue your theatrical interests can also be a challenging venture. This workshop for parents and students will focus on specific considerations to ensure that your choice is a good fit for “you”. A discussion of what to look for, questions to ask, on-site scholarship/audition preparation, and employment opportunities after graduation will be discussed.
Special Effect Make Up
Mike Saunders, Independent Film Maker
In special effects makeup we will cover everything from bloody gory effects (gunshot wounds, cuts, burns, etc.) to simple character makeup (mustache, old age, exaggeration features)
Theatre of Kindness
Howard Martin, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Passion, Violence, Play: Shakespeare
Gwendolyn Schwinke, University of Northern Iowa
Violence, power, love, hate, hilarious fun – welcome to Shakespeare. Through games, improvisation, scene work, and an “air broadsword” combat sequence, you’ll discover the wild joy of acting Shakespeare. Advance preparation NOT required; dress comfortably for movement
Risk and Play
Paul Kalina, University of Iowa
Risk and play explores the use of physical risk to access emotional risk onstage. Through games and exercises participants develop a sense of play and probe the multiple relationships that keep a performer reactive and body-centered rather than stuck in his or her own head. Come dressed to move.
So, You Want to be a Theatre Major
Rick Anderson, Kirkwood Community College
This workshop is designed to give students the information needed to succeed in a college theatre program. It will be a frank discussion about communication, rehearsal etiquette, and the reality of working in a college theatre program. This workshop will address what you can do in high school to better prepare yourself for a theatrical life beyond your school
Dramatic Auditions
Hannah McBride, Northwestern College
An easy introduction on how to approach dramatic auditions. With experience in educational, professional, and URTA audition settings, I would like to share some helpful experiences and feedback I have received. Students often don’t know what to expect, and so it puts them at a disadvantage in the audition process, especially monologues where emotion needs to be readily accessible. I will bring practice pieces and exercises, and will introduce some techniques to help take control of the audition process.
Auditioning for TV, Film, and Commercials
Kimberly Furness, The Curtainbox Theatre Co.
This workshop will focus on staring a career in TV/ FILM and how to audition and prepare for a Commercial or TV audition. Discussing things like headshots, resumes, what to prepare, how to market yourself as a professional actor.
Singing on the Broadway Stage
Dr. Jacqueline Kay Thompson, Potpourri Fine Arts Academy
Singing on stage is totally different than singing in a choir or competing in a solo contest. Learn how to project with or without amplification. Also learn how to utilize blocking and choreography for vocal projection. And ways to support your voice while you’re dancing.
Physical Theatre and Masked Acting
Bethany Larson, Ph.D., Buena Vista University
Masks have been used by actors in performance since ancient times, and are still used today by many theatre companies and in many countries. This workshop will allow students to explore the fundamentals of mask work and learn how acting in a mask opens new pathways to expressiveness. Limited to 12 participants.
So You Want to Work in Film
David G. Walker, Buena Vista university
Learn the nuts and bolts of getting started in the film industry, whether it be in front of the camera or behind it or in the production office.
Musical Theatre Dance
Christina Myatt, Center Stage Performing Arts
Design on a Dime – Effective Scenery on a Limited Budget
Mark A. Parrott, UNI
This is a parent and educator workshop that will outline simple yet effective ways to facilitate scenery and prop production. Special attention will be given to sources of inexpensive materials and resources with visual examples.
Improvisation: Squashing Your Inner Circle
Amy Garrettson, UNI
Through games and guided activities, participants will explore spontaneity and creativity in improvisation. Participants will also learn how spontaneity and creativity help to instill actor confidence and “squash” the inner circle while strengthening the creative impulse, critical to all performance and design work.
Landing the Role: From High School to Hollywood
Mark Jeter, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
In this dynamic on your feet, on-camera workshop we explore the keys to landing the role in anything, anywhere. Whether you want the lead in the school play, to get accepted to the college of your dreams, or book the lead in a feature film this is the insider information you need to know. Taught by a professional actor who has worked in theatre, television and film in both NY and LA this is the chance to see what it REALLY takes to land the role!
Seven Secrets of the Working Actor
Mark Jeter, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
This workshop is open to teachers and students looking for answers to the biggest questions in the business. Do I join the union? Do I need an agent or a manager? Or both? Where do I find an agent? How do I GET an agent? Do I move to Los Angeles, New York, or can I stay near home? I want to audition but WHERE do I find them? Be ready to work like never before in this workshop designed with the professional actor in mind. Do you know the seven secrets?
Lighting Fundamentals
Scott Olinger, Cornell College
This workshop will cover the basic of which instrument to choose for which job, choosing direction, and choosing color. Includes a hands on mini lab to experiment with direction and color.
Slaps, Falls, & Fisticuffs: The Art of Unarmed Stage Combat
Jeff Cousens, Augustana College
Participants will learn safe and effective techniques for falling, slapping, punching, kicking, scratching, biting, strangling, and general staged mayhem. Emphasis will be on choreography and execution of realistic unarmed stage fights that can add punch to any production. Participants should come dressed to move.
Black Light Theatre
Tom Goodall, North Scott High School
Lets have some fun with Black Light Theater. This is a workshop in which the participant will see a brief black light theater presentation followed by a discussion of different ways to incorporate black light into different
kinds of theater. The last half of the time will be a chance for the students to create their own black light theater artwork.
Beginning Playwriting
Dr. Robert AuFrance, Waldorf College
Do you want to write a play, but don’t know where to get started? This workshop is set up as a series of writing games to help the beginning playwright start developing those great ideas into original plays.
Over Your head: A Brief Look at Rigging
Chad Kolbe, Viterbo University
This would be basic rigging concepts such as knots, exploring rigging systems and over all safety.
Mime Basics
Daniel Rairdin-Hale, St. Ambrose University
An introduction to basic mime technique including warm-up exercises and plenty of practice using objects that are not really there.
Yoga for Actors
Kristin Larson, Grand View University
The work of the actor requires mental and physical flexibility, focus, and concentration, balance, awareness and release. Yoga is wonderful practice and preparation for work on the stage. Come engage your body and mind!
711 Theatre Project
Sean Kearney, Grand View University
The 711 Theatre Project is the only juried play festival of it’s kind and is held every year in The Grandview Viking Theatre. Come hear from one of the co-founders who will explain what the 711 is and how you can get involved next summer.
Building Musical Theatre Acting Power!
Marcus Olson, Western Illinois
Short warm-up session to release tension, brief articulation and vocalizing exercises. Several group energizing exercises. Individual work: students should bring sheet music for a song (or part of a song) they have memorized, and be prepared to work one-on-one with the instructor. Q and A to follow.
Acting the Comedic Role
Wes Shaver, Cardinal Stricht
This workshop will explain the nuances of portraying a comedic role. We will discuss the importance of line delivery and honesty within a character to effectively portray comedic and character roles. The ideas and techniques will be applicable to both the musical theater and play genre.
The Show Must Go On!
Kitty Karn, Western Illinois
This workshop offers vocal therapy exercises based on the latest in voice science research, yoga and Alexander Technique that are specifically helpful in times of stress, fatigue and sickness. Also included are tips on how to maintain good vocal health.
The Laramie Project: A Discussion with the Cast and Crew
Directors Round Table
Helen Brennan, Chris Howard, Natalie Saunders
Auditioning for Film and Television
Lyndi Kotsopoulos, New York Film Academy
Stage Makeup – Using Prosthetics to Enhance Character
Lisa Lantz, Luther College
Learn how to use prosthetic pieces to enhance a character through special effects makeup. Learn the proper application of prosthetic pieces.
Improv 101
Jeff DeLeon, Comedy Sportz, Quad Cities
This workshop presented by a graduate of Second City, will explore the basics of short form improv, how to think “outside-the-box” and get out of your head, creative problem solving, and more. |
