Backstage Workshop
Kearney, Nebraska August 2-3, 2013
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Crane River Theater was created to serve Central Nebraska and surrounding areas as a professional theater production company providing a home for the presentation, education and promotion of the arts. We provide the unique quality of using professionals from across the country and mixing them with area artists to create exciting and innovative productions. We have already had the honor of working with actors, directors and designers from twenty-two states, and are excited to share their talents with all of Nebraska.
Backstage with Crane River Theater is a new educational opportunity created to provide opportunities for high school students across the state to receive a backstage look at a professional production and take part in a series of theatrical workshops. The participating production for 2013 will be Grease. Available workshops will range from acting, musical theater and dance to video production and stage combat. We also offer workshops that focus on the technical side of theater which will include make up for the actor, playwriting and design. It is sure to be an invaluable experience for any student with an interest in the arts.
Itinerary for Backstage 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
| 4:00pm | Meet and Greet with Crane River Theater Company at the Merryman Performing Arts Center | |
| 4:30pm |
Select company members share their introductory auditions as we take a look inside the casting process of Crane River Theater |
|
| 5:00pm | Break | |
| 7:00pm | Attend the production of Grease | |
| 9:30pm | Post Show Party catered by Old Chicago with the Cast and Crew |
Saturday, August 3, 2013
| 8:45am | Welcoming at Kearney High School Auditorium | |
| 9:00am | Workshop Session 1 | |
| 10:30am | Workshop Session 2 | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch (Provided) | |
| 12:30pm | Workshop Session 3 | |
| 2:00pm | Workshop Session 4 | |
| 3:30pm | Backstage Wrap-Up and Send Off |
WORKSHOPS
Character Building
Taught by Patsy Koch Johns, Actress and Teacher Director
Explore the magic of theater through acting. This workshop will give participants a chance to get on their feet and develop characters. You will use interactive techniques to explore goals, obstacles and tactics as they apply to the world of characterization.
Stage Combat
Taught by Harris Smith, Head of the Actor Training Program at UNL
Want to know the basics of how to make a fight look real on stage? Students will learn how to successfully execute an unarmed fight with slaps, punches, kicks and more. Gain knowledge of how to trust your partner and fight safely, while incorporating motivation and characterization.
Improv Comedy
Taught by the Actors of Crane River Theater Company
Who doesn’t love to laugh? In this workshop, we will focus on the core skills of improv comedy in a fun and sociable way. You’ll learn a number of games you can play just about anywhere as you develop scenes and create characters within seconds. We will spontaneously create theater through listening rather than thinking, from allowing rather than forcing, and from being fully present in the moment.
Playwriting for the Actor
Taught by Janice Fronczak, Acting and Playwriting Professor at UNK
Find the playwright within yourself in this interactive workshop. Participants will write a one-minute monologue using a specialized worksheet to assist in the creative process. You will create images that lend themselves to reveal a hidden character just waiting to come alive. At the end of the workshop, learn how to make bold choices to act another’s original monologue.
Acting the Song
Taught by David Sackschewsky, Musical Theater Director
Musical theatre performances are made powerful due to the acting skills employed while singing. This workshop explores how to approach a song from an actor’s point of view and fuse the music with the words. It is designed to provide exposure to the script, score and character in an effort to clarify the story of the song. Students are encouraged to bring prepared selections to coach.
Throw Your Mittens Around Your Kittens
Taught by Kami Graves, Performer and Choreographer
Whether you are a dancer or not, this is the workshop for you. A choreographer will lead you through the basic elements of dance and keys to learning choreography that will help you in any performance. The secrets to good theatrical movement for the stage will be revealed as you are taken through an intensive choreography session straight from the production of Grease.
The Walking Dead
Paul Pearson, Make-Up Designer
This workshop is dedicated to the illusion of special effects as created by makeup for the stage. We will focus on the proper use and application of facial prosthetics, latex, and other make-up essentials necessary to create zombie facial creations. Step-by-step instructions will guide you toward developing your own zombie design. An emphasis on the proper way to apply and remove make-up will be part of this workshop.
Stage Management
Taught by Rachel Lantow, Professional Stage Manager
What exactly is the role of a Stage Manager? This workshop will explore the responsibilities and expectations of one of the most important roles in any production. You will learn what it takes to serve as the organizational force behind the show, coordinating with the directors, designers, technicians, actors and stage crew. This is the perfect opportunity for those interested in every aspect of theater, as stage management truly allows you to do it all.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Taught by Matt Bross, Filmmaker and Owner of Delinea Design
As dozens of crew members whirl about on the set of a film, lights shine into the actor’s eyes, boom mics float overhead, and “Action!” is finally called, the actor is still expected to give a believable and moving performance for the camera. In this workshop students will learn the basics of film acting: creating performances based upon shot size and angle, hitting marks, emotional and physical continuity, and strength and imagination in acting choices.
Props Made Simple
Taught by Bob Heiden, Scenic Artist and Props Designer
Bring your set to life with everyday items. Learn tips and techniques for making simple, realistic props out of common inexpensive materials. You will be guided through an interactive workshop that explores the creativity in props construction. A step-by-step process will provide you with the techniques to make props out of dowel sticks, pop bottles, hula hoops, plumbing fittings, cloth, Styrofoam insulation and many more items. From large to small, if you can’t buy it, just make it!
Speaking with Accents
Taught by the Actors of Crane River Theater Company
Cheerio! Care for a spot of tea? Take a trip from the American South to London and back as we venture into the entertaining world of accents. Through the use of the international phonetic alphabet, participants will learn the basic tricks of the trade to create convincing British and Southern dialects. Y’all come back now ya hear!
Playback Theater
Taught by Janice Fronczak, Acting and Playwriting Professor at UNK
Playback Theater is improvised theatre that invites a true story from the life of an audience member which is then enacted on the spot. In this workshop we will look at some of the principles, values and methods of this hot new trend in theater. You will learn some basic short forms of this exciting form of improvisation. It is sure to be a great time for all involved.
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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
