Geva’s Immersion Weekend for Educators

October 23 & 24, 2010

One weekend, four dynamic workshops, each one led by our talented artists. Workshop topics include a variety of aspects of theatre and performance, including a sampling of the training from Geva’s acclaimed Summer Academy program. We’ve selected highlights of the process, skills and inspiration for the theatre we create at Geva year-round, and distilled them into a special weekend just for educators.

Who will benefit? No experience is required; these workshops are an ideal opportunity to try out new avenues for artistic expression, or to practice and hone skills you already use. Whether theatre is part of your teaching, or you are simply curious to try something new, come join us at Geva for your turn to be the artist.

What’s the approach? Our goal is to guide your own experience and exploration of new ideas and practices, not to prescribe how they’ll be used in your teaching. We think you’ll be bursting with ideas! Of course if you are curious about how to apply or adapt any of these approaches for classroom use, our Education staff is eager to help you develop those plans as well – just ask!

How does it work? We’ll host two workshops each day, plus an informal lunch conversation. Join us for the whole series, or choose the topics that interest you most.

Download the flyer here.

Movement

Saturday, October 23
10:00-11:30am

In this workshop, we will explore creative ways to expand our movement possibilities and reflect our expressive intent. No dance experience is necessary to understand the relationship between how we move and what we feel, a relationship at the core of the actor's craft. Using unique and simple methods, we will begin to build a tool kit for use on the stage and in the classroom.

Susan Ware has choreographed for productions at Geva, including House and Garden and Below the Belt. Susan teaches Movement for Actors at the University of Rochester, and at Geva Theatre Center; she is in her 12th year on the Summer Academy faculty. She previously served as Artistic Director of Community Arts Connection, Arc of Monroe County, an arts-based day site for adults with developmental disabilities. Her dance troupe, A Moving Experience, worked with schoolchildren throughout Rochester and beyond.

Acting

Saturday, October 23
12:30-2:00pm

Who are you? What do you want? How will you get it? What’s in your way? This workshop will explore the essential tools used by every actor through a variety of group activities. You’ll focus on character-building, communicating with intention and solving problems actively and physically. By understanding these tools, we can unlock and step into most any story, whether from our own imaginations or from a script. See how much you can learn in someone else’s shoes – you may not want to give them back!

Brigitt Markusfeld has appeared in many Geva Theatre Center productions, including most recently A Christmas Story, Our Town, The Weir, House and Garden, The Triumph of Love, A Girl's Life, The Illusion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile and The Comedy of Errors. She is an artist educator for Geva Theatre Center and has taught locally at the University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College.

Improvisation

Sunday, October 24
10:00-11:30am

"But how am I supposed to know what to say?" Improvisation improves focus, cooperation, trust, spontaneity and attentiveness. These tools can be used to invent and explore characters and stories, enhance communication skills, build teamwork and deepen a performance. This workshop will introduce you to simple guidelines for improvising effectively. You will explore exercises and scene work by following your impulses to lead you from one moment to the next. Take a deep breath, let go of the script and have fun!

Shawnda Urie was an original member of Geva Comedy Improv and is a current Geva teaching artist. She's taught at the University of Rochester, Delaware Theatre Company, SUNY Brockport and Drexel University. Shawnda has worked with five years of Geva’s Summer Academy.

Intro to Theatre Design

Sunday, October 24
12:30-2:00pm

What does the world of a story look like? This workshop will share a basic overview of the elements of design as they pertain to the visualization and realization of theatrical productions. We’ll discuss the use of line, color, texture and light to convey meaning and emotion as well as script and character analysis with an eye toward design. We think you’ll look at both theatre and literature in new ways.

Amanda Doherty is in her tenth season as the Costume Shop Supervisor at Geva Theatre Center, and has designed costumes for Geva productions including Underneath the Lintel, The Underpants, Shear Madness, The Race of the Ark Tatoo, Lobby Hero, And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank and Meet Me Incognito. She has also worked as a draper at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Cornell University, and Pennsylvania Center Stage.

Please reserve your space by contacting
Education Administrator Eric Evans at (585) 232-1366, ext. 3035.

Registration Deadline: Monday, October 18.

Each workshop has a minimum enrollment of 5. You will be notified and refunded after the registration deadline if there is insufficient enrollment to run the workshop.

Enroll in the full series for $100!
Registration for individual workshops is $35 each.

There is no cost to participate in the lunch discussions.

Professional development credit may be available for your school; please inquire.

Submit payment to:
Geva Theatre Center
75 Woodbury Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14607
Attn: Eric Evans
Or call Eric Evans at 585-232-1366, ext. 3035

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to give a call!