THEATRE ALBERTA PRESENTS DRAMAWORKS 2012: WHO ARE WE NOW? NOW? WE ARE WHO 2012: DRAMAWORKS A SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAM FOR ADULTS EDMONTON www.theatrealberta.com FEATURING JULY 4–8 JULY inspiring7 theatre workshops Something for everyone! DRAMAWORKS 2012: WHO ARE WE NOW? WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS Once upon a closing night party, in the brief who work across the country and call Alberta and glorious moments before sunrise on home. Just as each artist must ask who am I Master Class another perfect Alberta summer day, a mentor now, we must ask the very same question: July 4-8 • $450 much beloved and admired did say, “An artist, Wednesday Who Are We Now? regardless of medium or experience, has only through sunday one duty: to constantly ask Who am I now?” The question is deeply personal and can never 10:00 am – 5:00 pm It’s a heady question to be sure, best pondered be answered with any finality. In seeking the Immersive Theatre on those hot late nights, but we think he’s right. answer, however, we learn to ask the question It really is the only question. properly. with punchdrunk Maxine Doyle Throughout its 50 year history, Dramaworks We hope that the workshops outlined here will Associate Director & Choreographer has provided quality programming to Alberta challenge, inspire and excite artists across theatre artists of all levels of experience and the province, in all disciplines and through all Conor Doyle across all disciplines. At Theatre Alberta, levels of experience. The seven workshops Ensemble Member we work to evolve with the needs of our chosen for Dramaworks 2012 are designed For established professional theatre artists. members, be they community theatre artists to engage and inspire intense, electrifying Presented in partnership with Catalyst Theatre. from Fairview or Medicine Hat, drama conversations, hastening us all to ask: catalysttheatre.ca teachers working in fully equipped Fine Arts Who Am I Now? Departments or carving out performance This five day master class will have participants exploring and space in gymnasiums, or professional artists Michelle Kennedy, Programmer creating work in previously Keri Mitchell, Executive Director unimagined spaces. Delving into the hidden corners of site, the workshop will draw on core elements of punchdrunk’s approach to creating immersive theatre. Participants will look at FEATURED GUESTS the company’s approach to site, text and narrative while also playing with light and sound to manipulate the theatrical experience of both punChdrunk Vern thiessen audience and performer/creator. This workshop will Since 2000, UK theatre company punchdrunk Vern Thiessen is one of Canada’s most be led by the co-director and choreographer of has been pioneering a game-changing form of produced playwrights. His plays have been Sleep No More and a punchdrunk performer. immersive theatre in which roaming audiences seen across Canada, the United States, Asia, There will be lots of moving, improvising and experience epic storytelling inside sensory the United Kingdom, the Middle East and dancing. theatrical worlds. Blending classic texts, Europe. Vern has long been one of Edmonton’s This is a professional master class open to artists physical performance and award-winning favourite playwrights and his work includes who have advanced degrees or comparative design installation in unexpected sites, the Apple, Einstein’s Gift, Vimy, Shakespeare’s Will experience in theatre, dance, design or technical company’s infectious format rejects the passive and Back to Berlin. His work has also been theatre. Please apply with a resume and cover obedience usually expected of audiences. produced at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival letter outlining your experience and why you are and has had three Off Broadway runs. “Utterly unique! Brilliant and sly and insane. interested in taking this workshop. Applications will The level of detail is enough to make you Dramaworks 2012 will explore and celebrate be accepted until the workshop is full. swoon.” Mark Kennedy, Associated Press Thiessen’s dramatic work, which consistently challenges audiences and artists alike. His Gaining ground in North America with their plays are deeply concerned with how history hit Sleep No More, an immersive Film Noir has informed our present (and future). They reimagining of Shakespeare’s great tragedy draw attention to how we are doomed to repeat MacBeth, punchdrunk will visit Canada for the our mistakes and our heartbreaks, and how we first time for Dramaworks 2012. fight our own very public and very private wars. punchdrunk.org.uk Dramaworks instructors will use Thiessen’s work as a textual touchstone; it is a compelling challenge and one that we feel will create a common language among all Dramaworks 2012 participants. vernthiessen.com intensiVes July 5-8 • $350 thursday 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm; Friday through sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm One Weekend, One Play Unleashing the Expressive Resonant Voice with Vern Thiessen with Kim Mattice Wanat For playwrights of all levels. For drama teachers and performers of all levels. Over the course of three and a half days, participants will begin This workshop will introduce an innovative vocal technique in and complete a short play. The weekend will be structured with which expressivity and total body engagement are integrated to both personal writing time and classroom time with feedback unlock your and your students’ creative spirits. These easy, fun and tips from Vern. By the end of this concentrated intensive, and proven techniques will completely shift the way one trains, participants will hear their new work read aloud and then head unleashing a resonant expressive singing voice! Participants will home with a completed first draft of their play. Suitable for learn exercises that develop physical freedom, exceptional everyone, although some playwriting experience will certainly be an asset. posture and greater breath flexibility. Singers, actors, teachers, choral conductors, directors or anyone who wants to develop an understanding of how to enhance Vern Thiessen is a multi award winning playwright who divides his time between their singing voice and help others do the same will leave this workshop New York and Canada. In 2003, he won the Governor General’s Literary Award exhilarated and inspired. for Drama for Einstein’s Gift; he was nominated again in 2011 for his play Lenin’s Embalmers. Kim Mattice Wanat specializes in the training of young singers and actors. She is the founder and artistic director of Opera NUOVA, a national operatic training program. explorations July 6-8 • $250 Friday 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm; s aturday and sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Directing Historical Drama Lighting Basics with Kate Newby with Sheila Cleasby For novice and intermediate directors. All skill levels welcome. If you have ever wondered how to navigate through the windy This workshop will explore the basics of both the design and streets of historical drama (and comedy) and still find ways to technical aspects of lighting for the stage. Participants will connect to contemporary issues and audiences, this workshop is discover the capabilities of a wide variety of lighting equipment, for you! Participants will learn techniques to communicate understand the principles of colour mixing and learn how to meaning of difficult text or language to actors and audiences. create mood and rhythm with lights to enhance any theatrical Over the course of the weekend, you will acquire a series of fun, piece. This is a hands-on workshop with a focus on practical helpful and practical exercises for diving head first into historical dramas to bring techniques that can be immediately applied in theatres across the province. them to life on contemporary stages. Sheila Cleasby is a proud mom and the Head of Electrics at the Citadel Theatre Kate Newby is a freelance Calgary-based director, actor and educator. Most in Edmonton. recently Kate directed Brad Fraser’s True Love Lies at Alberta Theatre Projects. Meisner Technique Theatre Boot Camp with Lori Ravensborg with Brian Dooley All skill levels welcome. Great for novice theatre practitioners, anyone wanting a solid refresher course and those with an incurable curiosity for the business. Using Sanford Meisner’s definition of acting – “the ability to live truthfully under given imaginary circumstances” – Lori Theatre Boot Camp is a step-by-step, hands-on, how-to guide Ravensborg will lead participants on a journey of discovery into for all elements of making theatre. With an emphasis on the heart of strong, emotionally connected performance. The performance and script analysis, participants will learn about Meisner Technique is designed to increase listening and various elements of theatre, including rehearsal hall etiquette, observation skills, to improve focus and to allow for honest, communicating with directors and designers, scheduling a tech impulsive reactions. The weekend will focus on Meisner Technique basics using week and figuring out how to get bums in seats. You will be up exercises taught at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York (the school founded and moving, dreaming and scheming about making your very own theatre by Meisner). Participants will come away from this workshop with an honest, clear production! and powerful tool to approach any scene or performance, and the ability to more Brian Dooley is a veteran member of the Canadian theatre community. He is an fully express their own emotional individuality. actor, director and educator as well as the Director of Play Development at the Lori Ravensborg is an actor, director and educator from Red Deer. She teaches Citadel Theatre. at Red Deer College and has just completed her first film. Dramaworks 2012 will also feature a number of special events. Keep an eye on our website for announcements and updates: theatrealberta.com/dramaworks2012 DRAMAWORKS 2012: WHO ARE WE NOW? THE ESSENTIALS... Our Supporters and Partners Workshop Fees Registration Message from the University of Master Class (5 Days) $450 Dramaworks 2012 registration opens Alberta Department of Drama Intensives (3.5 Days) $350 April 1.