The Theatre Lab

Workshop Series               

Period Comedy – a hands-on workshop, where students learn about the improvisational style of chosen period and the stock characters of that specific time. Students participate in exercises such as enacting stock characters, experimenting, creating short scenes incorporating what they have learned from the time period, and exploring movement with comedic facial exaggeration and double takes. (1-2 hours/adaptable for middle school through college level)

Playing Comedy - an acting workshop, which explores physical comedy focusing on facial expression, whole body and gesturing exercises. (1-1 1/2 hour/adaptable for middle school, high school and college level)

Creative Drama- exploration of ideas within a group.  Students or companies can create a skit or play using sensory exercises and imagination with basic dramatic skills including pantomime, movement, improvisation, story building and more. Students development skills while strengthening imagination, self-confidence, group dynamics, and self-expression. Can be presented in a single 1 hour lesson but generally taught in a series of four or six, 1 hour sessions. (Elementary school or middle school level)

Story Theatre - using creative drama techniques including pantomime, creative movement and improvisation, children enact stories, folk tales and fables, while building self-confidence and stretching imagination. Can be presented in a single 1 hour lesson or in a series of sessions. (Kindergarten and elementary school level)

Using Drama with Children– teaches high school and college students how to structure a lesson of drama activities for younger children. Great for advanced theatre students who plan to continue in theatre, as they often find themselves in camp or recreation positions where having this skill can really pay off! (2 hour/high school through college level)

The Alexander Technique – a hands-on discovery of the physical acting technique.  With the Alexander Technique, you learn how to strip away the movement habits and tensions patterns at the root of your discomfort. You learn how to balance your own body and take charge of your own health. You learn how to sit, stand and move — with safety, efficiency and ease.   F.M.Alexander (1869-1955)As a young man, Alexander was a Shakespearean actor touring in Australia and Tasmania. Chronic hoarseness interrupted his burgeoning career, and he lost his voice while performing. When no medical treatment helped him, he looked at his own movement for the source of his vocal trouble. Through nine years of rigorous self-observation and experiment, he solved his problem, developed a full, rich voice and discovered what he named the primary control.
*Noted actors, musicians and athletes have used it for over 100 years to enhance performance and stage presence. Among them are William Hurt, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Paul McCartney, Kelly McGillis, Paul Newman, Lynn Redgrave, Mary Steenbergen, Sting, Robin Williams, Joanne Woodward.  (1-2 hour/adaptable for middle school through college level)
 

Professional Auditioning and Tools of the Trade– an informational workshop using up-to-date tools, samples headshots, resumes types, & illustrations of the dos & don’ts of auditioning for professional stage, film, TV and casting agents. Students should come prepared with a memorized, 1-minute monologue to be critiqued and worked specifically for this environment. (2 hour/high school through college level)

Lecture Series                      

Theatre as a Business – a lecture on how to start your theatre company on a shoe string budget. How to get your new company noticed through all media outlets.  How to network and how to create buzz!(1 -2 hour/high school through college level)

Tools of the Trade – a focus on what the actor needs in terms of audition monologues, headshots, resumes, websites, etc. to survive in today’s theatre and TV/Film market, specific to regions throughout the US. Also, the dos and don’ts of agents, casting agents, managers, and how to recognize the “scams.” (1 hour/high school through college level)

Rates for Theatre Arts Students and Businesses

1 - 2 hour session

$95 -$190 Mileage @ .25/mile
 Local, plus mileage   
 Columbus area

Series of 4 - 6 classes

$260 - $390   
Local/plus mileage

Please call or email for out of town rates*

** Additional fee may be added for sites requiring extensive travel.