STAGE COMBAT:
FEAR THE POINT -- SWORDPLAY ON STAGE

In a flexible package of two or four two hour sessions, Mark teaches the basics of choreographed swordplay. The four hour version concentrates on the basics of footwork, cuts and parries. The eight hour version moves on to more flashy techniques, the styles of different characters, periods and weapons and the psychology of the fight. The workshop culminates with students performing a choreographed fight.

PHYSICAL COMEDY:
PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO GET THE LAUGH

In a two hour session, students will learn established techniques from Plautus and Bergsen such as distortion and mechanization. To this, Mark adds a system of his own nationally audience tested invention, combining cartoon physics with cleanliness, precision and specificity.

VOICE FOR THE STUDENT ACTOR:
LET THE BREATH DO THE WORK

In an intensive two hour workshop, Hollis combines the basics of the Linklater system of voice and breathing with her own collection of tried and true warm up and relaxation techniques. Students learn the basics of vocal tools which will eventually allow them to fill a theatre effortlessly with full and vibrant sound.

VOICE FOR SHAKESPEARE:
TRIPPINGLY ON THE TONGUE

Combining techniques described above with exercises drawn from the work of Cicely Berry, vocal coach for the Royal Shakespeare Company, students work on Shakespearean text in an intensive two hour workshop. This process helps students to be as comfortable with Shakespeare's words as they are with their own modern slang.

ACTING SHAKESPEARE:
FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE

In two to three two hour sessions, students apply several techniques to the Shakespeare verse monologue of their choice, and perform that monologue in a master class format. Combining their own tips with exercises and techniques from the works of Cecily Berry and John Barton of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mark and Hollis teach students to use the hints given by Shakespeare to understand the characters they are playing.

BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS:
CONTROLLING WHAT YOU CAN

In a two hour seminar, students get a crash course in the tools of the acting trade: head shots; resumes; agents; unions; mailings; demo reels; how to scout a new market before moving;how to network and so on. This seminar is especially effective when combined with the confidence building auditioning workshop.

AUDITIONING:
LOVING YOUR MONOLOGUES

This two-hour workshop helps students learn to develop and become confident with monologues that showcase their particular skills. Students will perform their current audition monologues in a master class format, and will be encouraged to highlight their unique, castable qualities.

PERFORMANCE
SHAKESPEARE'S LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS

Thirty minutes of the best of Shakespeare's love and fight scenes, staged-reading style, highlighted with memorized monologues and, optionally, some snazzy sword-fighting. We complement our performance with a Q&A period and/or with the above workshops. The performance brings the dusty literature to lusty life, hooking students with Shakespeare's peerless passions, and opening the door for more enrichment through our workshops.