By Ken Hildebrandt. Gallery 7 Theatre of Abbotsford, BC is thrilled to be bringing back its Theatre Boot Camp workshop series for the 2016/2017 season, featuring short courses in performance, directing and stage combat. The series is designed for both emerging and established community, church and school theatre artists, and will offer intensive training by experts in theatre and film.
“I’m very excited to announce our ‘boot camp’ series is back and in an expanded way,” explains Ken Hildebrandt, Executive/Artistic Director. “We’re building on what was explored last year, plus venturing in to a lot of new territory as well. What’s super-great is that we’re able to provide these top-quality training opportunities without big-city prices.”
Leading the workshops will be experts who work in professional theatre and film. “Award-winning actor, Erla Faye Forsyth, is back to teach scene analysis and vocal performance,” continues Hildebrandt, “I’m also happy to introduce TWU theatre professor, Kate Muchmore, who will be leading our directing course, and Mike Kovac and Ryan Bolton, who will tag-team instruct our stage combat course.”
Participants will be able to register for individual workshops or for the entire series at a discounted rate. Each workshop will run for three sessions. The schedule is as follows:
· Directing for the Stage with Kate Muchmore: Explore the crucial role of the director in a stage production from concept development to final dress rehearsal. Learn about text analysis, determining a production concept, collaborating with designers, holding auditions & making casting choices, planning & conducting rehearsals, blocking actors, and helping performers discover powerful performances. Runs September 27, October 4 & 11, 2016; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
· Advanced Scene Study with Erla Faye Forsyth: Building on concepts and techniques explored in last year’s scene study course, participants will delve deeper in to how to make strong acting choices. Text analysis, subtext, intentions, tactics, working with fellow actors and other important acting skills will be explored. To ensure maximum learning, this course will be limited to a total of 10 participants so register early! Runs January 31, Feb. 7 & 14, 2016; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
· Stage Combat with Mike Kovac & Ryan Bolton: Explore safe and realistic-looking stage combat techniques in this exciting course designed for actors and directors. Learn about basic falls, trips, hair pulls and slaps, plus sword, knife and fist fighting. Establishing proper safety protocols appropriate for all rehearsal & performance contexts will also be explored. Runs February 28, March 7 & 14, 2017; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
· Vocal Performance with Erla Faye Forsyth: If the audience can’t hear you, your amazing performance and all your hard work making strong character choices are a waste of time. This course will help actors develop more advanced skills in vocal production as they pertain to breath support, diction, projection, voice care and preparing for a performance. Runs March 28, April 4 & 11, 2017; 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Each individual three-week workshop costs $125.00/person or all four workshops cost $400.00/person, a savings of 20% over individual registration fees. For more information or to register, please call 604-504-5940 or visit the theatre’s website at www.gallery7theatre.com. All workshops will be held at the theatre’s rehearsal hall, #100 – 34595 3rd Avenue, Abbotsford.
Season passes for Gallery 7 Theatre’s 2016/2017 theatre season are now available through the theatre’s website, or by contacting House of James at 2743 Emerson Street, Abbotsford or 604-852-3701. Please visit www.gallery7theatre.com for details.
Image courtesy of Gallery 7 Theatre