Scene Study and Performance - Be a More Believable Actor With Boundless Reach
Be more physically & emotionally engaged with drama & acting, by really understanding the scene & story; with context vs subtext, character motivation, empathy & many other tools, while having fun performing with classmates! #creative
Gordon Woolvett, ACTRA / UBCP / WGC
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(310)
Popular
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Students will be expected to be familiar with scenes assigned to them. This will involve downloading the scenes and marking them up, either on a device or on paper.Class Experience
_______________________________________ Happy September! I'm feeling excited to start another school year which means you get a limited time offer to try one free class; but this month only! Just use code WOOLVBKTOSCHOOL25 when you enrol in any of my classes (except 1-Day) during September. _______________________________________ This class takes a detailed and focused approach to the craft of acting and scene breakdown. Whether your learner is already auditioning or performing in plays (or film) or is just entering the world of drama, this class will equip them with the tools of deeper understanding and empathy. Only through a complete and rich understanding of the text can an actor really find their beats and moments. But for young performers, digging deep into the subtext can be daunting. This class will teach them where to start and how, giving them a method of approach to deeper comprehension of story and people. Drama class, and specifically scene study, really looks closely at why people do what they do and why they say what they say and students end up with a wider and more empathetic view of the world! In this class, learners will, from week to week: -Be assigned scenes (they do not have to memorize and learn but it's better if they do) -Learn how to breakdown those scenes -Learn how to discover the subtext -Get out of the chair and perform the scenes with their classmates -Learn how to take direction and approach the same scene with different motivation -Learn how to listen to their co-performer in the scene and make informed spontaneous choices that still work within the general context of the scene
Learning Goals
Tantamount to the craft of acting is studying the material and understanding the scene fully. These are my goals for your learner:
1) To build their confidence by equipping them with a mental toolset to manage scene preparation, performance and anxiety
2) To train them to be able to take apart a scene and find their own unique moments and beats
3) To teach them the difference between strong choices and weak choices
4) To show them how to be more introspective and get "in touch" with their feelings
5) To cast-off any concerns about embarrassing oneself
6) To provide them with a safe and encouraging space where they can try out their ideas and feel the reward of peer encouragement
7) To get them out of the chair and having fun!
Students will be expected to commit to their performance and get up and use the space they have when possible.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Sometimes scenes will contain dramatic conflict of a more serious nature dealing with heavier life challenges. This is a drama class. If there is any subject matter specifically off limits for your learner please let me know in advance. I make best efforts to make sure all material is diverse and inclusive and free of prejudice or hate speech. I expect the same from the students.
Supply List
Students will need to be able to print their scenes and be ready to make handwritten notes on them. Your student must also have a quiet space to move around in with good lighting in front of them (not behind!) so their fellow actor can see and hear them please.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
310reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been a professional actor, writer and director in theatre, television and film for more than 35 years. In 2002 I won a Gemini (the Canadian Emmies) for my work on Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda. I had previously also been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for another film I worked on. I have been teaching improv and acting for many years. I'm also a soccer coach and a Scout leader.
I trained at theatrical school from ages 8-16 (and have continued to train throughout my career) and they were the best summers of my childhood. Theatre / acting / drama is such a great outlet for young people. If your child/teen has an interest in drama, training is crucial. It gives them a chance to explore and use their imaginations, but also teaches them valuable lessons about "the human condition." I have taught improv and acting in various after-school drama clubs and at Scouts Canada camps and meetings for a number of years now. (I also have another popular class on Outschool teaching improv and acting to elementary age kids: Theatre For Kids - Acting and Improv).
Drama is an amazing outlet for stress and anxiety. Sometimes in class those emotions can come in handy and help with scenes. This can lead to deeper discussions about feelings or experiences that can be emotionally recalled to help with a scene. In this way, drama can be quite cathartic. However, to protect children's privacy and ensure we maintain a safe zoom environment, I am ever mindful of steering students away from divulging personal details about themselves. I instead encourage students to engage in an inner dialogue so they can recall and utilize personal moments while keeping them private.Reviews
Live Group Class
$25
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 174 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-8 learners per class
