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The Art of Theatre History Ancient Times to Today - The Improv Time Machine!

Class
Play
Gordon Woolvett, ACTRA / UBCP / WGC
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(259)
Experience 3000 years of drama & theatre history immersively, as we travel through time to different cultures to practice many diverse styles of artistic performance like acting, ancient oratory, Kathakali dance drama, improv, comedy & more

Class experience

I want to acknowledge that as Canadian of Scottish descent, I have no right to speak on behalf of other cultures around the world nor claim to speak from experience of diversity. I am sensitive to this.  My lifelong experience is in theatre and performance, and it is from that place I find my voice and focus, and I aim only to share the respect and awe I have come to know from learning about theatre around the world throughout history.

I first enrolled in theatre school when I was 8. I then began a professional film and television career when I was 12. That was over 35 years ago. :) 

I continued to train for eight years in acting, improv, musical theatre, scene study and performance. And then my career took off and I could only keep up with training periodically. I was a lead actor in 5 different TV series and did too many movies to list. I always continued to return to training along the way, with various teachers and coaches, expanding to include techniques and styles of Chekov, Meisner, Strasberg, Method acting, and yet more improv. I still train now, with peers, when time allows.

I was fortunate enough to achieve minor celebrity status for a time (people often recognize me from the Bride of Chucky or Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda). I have been lucky to work alongside many bigger names and some great actors; Jennifer Tilly, John Ritter, Kevin Sorbo, Louis Gossett Jr, Katheryn Heigl, James Woods, Rhea Perlman, Michael Moore, Michael Ironside, Alan Arkin, David Carradine and Eugene Levy, just to name a few.  For the Canadian Geminis (what used to be Canada's answer to the Oscars or Emmies and are now called the Canadian screen Awards), I was nominated twice and won once (2002). 

I love teaching about theatre, movies, acting, writing & improv on Outschool. I have been doing so here for over two years now. A few parents asked me to offer a more comprehensive drama program for their learner's education... and so here it is!  

I hope to introduce your learner to the thrilling world of drama!
Homework Offered
In the last six classes, learners will be expected to learn their short script (or at least be very familiar with it) and gather props, basic costume pieces and digital backgrounds to use in zoom. Please be sure your zoom client is updated to the most recent version so we can use the immersive view.
0 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered
It must be said that a discussion of historical theatre cannot be had without touching on religion and politics.  Religion and the state had a heavy hand in both the creation and suppression of theatre across many cultures. I try to keep this to a minimum while maintaining historical accuracy and I make every effort to provide a balanced perspective in a positive manner that above all else is inclusive of everyone's ideas and beliefs. 

Also, as we explore the world, learners may be presented with the task of acting as characters who have different beliefs and ideals other than their own. I strive to ensure all learners are comfortable and they will be more than welcome to decline these moments if they arise. When this happens I keep it light by giving them an active spectator or director role instead, calling for lots of applause, laughter or hearty enthusiasm appropriate to the crowd of that era. 
Drama Teacher Academy - PD certificate - Approaching Drama Class with an Indigenous Perspective
Drama Teacher Academy - PD certificate - Teaching Theatre with Divergent Students and Class Sizes in Mind
Drama Teacher Academy - East Meets West Theatre Traditions (Noh, Kabuki, Sanskrit)
Britannica.com - general fact checking
Drama Notebook.com - Native American Integrated Arts; Pantomime; Asian Theatre History; African American History Month Drama Activities; 
The Royal National Theatre of London - Commedia Del'Arte
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(259)
Profile
Hi! Thank you for reading my profile :) I'm fun and energetic acting teacher; an improv performer; a professional working TV & film actor; a screenwriter; a director; a soccer coach and a father of three. 

When I’m not teaching I perform live,... 
Group Class

$288

for 16 classes
1x per week, 16 weeks
55 min

Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
3-8 learners per class

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