Hear ye, hear ye. Tis the time of year to focus on your training and in Southern California you’ll find plenty of opportunities to brush up your Shakespeare. I’ll be highlighting some of the programs available in a series of upcoming articles so you don’t miss out.
First up is a look at what’s being offered by The Antaeus Company, located in North Hollywood. Two 7-week class sections start the year right by helping actors explore structure, rhetorical devices, verse, rhythm and sound in Shakespeare’s text. The first, moderated by Armin Shimerman (pictured left), focuses on monologues, and the second, moderated by Elizabeth Swain, moves into scene work. Students will learn how to extract information on character and action from the text, always within the context of Elizabethan culture, beliefs and rhetoric. The goal is to give the actor a way of approaching any new piece of text as a preparation for the real business of acting Shakespeare. Here are the particulars:
SECTION ONE: Monologues
Moderated by Armin Shimerman
Tuesdays 1:30 – 5:00 pm, beginning February 19, 2013
SECTION ONE: Scenes
Moderated by Elizabeth Swain
Tuesdays 1:30 – 5:00 pm, beginning April 9, 2013
Class fee: $325 for 7 week session (due by 2/11)
$630 for 14 week session, $575 early bird discount (due by 2/11)
Class size: 16-18, Open to actors of all ages
More information at www.antaeus.org/theacademy.
You might also be interested in one other 5-week workshop Antaeus is offering as part of their Behind the Curtain Salon series. Brave New World: devising The Tempest with writer & director Corey Madden, will explore the brave new concept of Devised Theatre through Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
What is devising? It’s a process of collaborative creation among actors, director, writer, and designers that uncovers and develops rich, authentic, fresh perspectives on subject matter, text, character and design. It can be used as a step in a traditional rehearsal process, or as a means to creating a new work. There are as many kinds of devising as there are artists, but Madden’s experiences working with Declan Donnellan, Robert Le Page, Anne Bogart, David Gordon have influenced and inspired her approach.
Students will be introduced to devising using Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Working with images, movement, sound and the text, participants in the salon will explore their own interests and approaches to the text. The final class will include a culmination with team presentations of devised scenes. Classes are open to a wide range of adult students from actors, directors, writers and designers to non-performers with a passion for learning and exploration.
Please note: participants will be asked to move, create and inspire. This is NOT a lecture series. Comfortable attire encouraged. Contact Deirdre Murphy, Artistic Associate at deirdre@antaeus.org to check on availability. Space is limited to 12-15 participants.
BRAVE NEW WORLD: Devising The Tempest
with writer/director Corey Madden
Mondays 7:00 -10:00 pm, February 4 – March 4, 2013
Class fee: $225 for 5 week session (due by Jan 28)
Class size: 12-15 ~ Open to all ages
Photo credit: Stephanie Mitchell
Shakespeare in LA 