2010 Inge Festival - Workshops

Acting for the Camera—the Basics. Yvette Freeman of TV's ER and Working translates acting from the stage to the screen. Participants should come with a monologue or scene suitable for TV. Taught by Yvette Freeman. Sat. 11:00 AM

An Actor's Process with Barbara Dana and Elizabeth Wilson: What does it mean to be an actor? What are the challenges and how does one meet them? How does an actor deal with fear? How does one prepare a role in a play with several weeks of rehearsal? How does one prepare for a TV or film role with limited rehearsal time, or none? After Barbara Dana and Elizabeth Wilson perform a short excerpt from a new play, these questions are explored. Bring questions from your own experience. Each question will be explored, solutions found, ideas shared. Taught by Barbara Dana and Elizabeth Wilson Thurs. 9:30 AM

Auditioning: The basics of auditioning – how to leave your troubles at the door, be in command of the audition and the room, where all that nervous energy comes from, and where it needs to be sent. Taught by Deirdre Lovejoy Thurs. 3:30 PM

Becoming Emily Dickinson: In this workshop we explore the process of portraying a well-known person or character in a play or novel from another time. How do you make your character live? After an introduction to Barbara Dana's experience portraying Emily Dickinson as an actor in THE BELLE OF AMHERST and as writer in her novel A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, participants will explore their own process. They will pick a heroine or hero who inspires them. Do they want to act their choice, write about her, or both? How do they begin? How do they complete this exciting task? Concrete steps are explored and enjoyed by all. Taught by Barbara Dana Sat. 2:00 PM

Finding the "Sweet Spot " – Scenes and Monologues: What makes some scenes and monologues cause sparks, while others just lie there? Alan Safier will personally coach your prepared material with special attention to specifics in characterization and physicality, finding the "arc" and the "red line," exploring circumstances, and finding the "sweet spot" in your scene or speech. Participants are invited to bring in well-worked and memorized scenes or monologues for coaching. Taught by Alan Safier Fri. 9:30 AM

Following the Dream in Hollywood: Several performers share their experiences in trying to pursue the performing arts in Los Angeles. Discussion with Yvette Freeman, Deirdre Lovejoy, Alan Safier Thurs. 2:00 PM

Following the Dream in New York: Several performers share their experiences in trying to be in the theatre in the Big Apple. Discussion with Gilbert Glenn Brown, Stacey Sargeant, Jeremy Webb, Amanda White Fri. 3:30 PM

"Less Is More" Voiceover Workout: How is voiceover acting different from stage acting? What are the tricks of the trade to doing dialogue commercials? Do I have the right kind of voice to make it in the business? Alan Safier, one of the busiest voiceover actors in Hollywood, takes you through the ins and outs of the v/o world. Participants will have the opportunity to work on real commercial copy and be coached by one of the best in the business. Taught by Alan Safier Thurs. 11:00 AM

Making a Scene: Come to this improvisational comedy workshop and learn about the tools you need to make a scene. Be prepared to take risks in this performance based workshop where you'll learn how to develop a character and use a variety of improvisational tricks of the trade to help you be a strong, inventive performer on stage - no script necessary! Bess Wallerstein Thurs. 9:30 AM

Movement for the Stage: Join us for an exploration of some basic movement concepts in the theatre. Through the use of some dance technique, physical storytelling and Viewpoints, we will work on a sampling of movement practices that may be valuable in ensemble-building, rehearsals, and character development. Please wear comfortable/relaxed clothing. Taught by Amanda White Fri. 2:00 PM, Sat. 9:30 AM

Poetry-Theatre: creating/performing your own work: A combination writing/performance class that translates your life, ideas and inspiration into work you can perform. For all ages, levels, shapes and sizes. Bring writing utensils, paper, creativity, sensitivity, guts and a healthy sense of humor. Taught by Steven Sapp Thurs. 11:00, Fri. 2:00-3:15

Scene and Monologue Coaching: Professional coaching of scenes and monologues for actors or students who wish to bring in prepared pieces. These workshops will be taught by guest artists, including James Leaming. Thurs. 2:00 PM

Yoga Warm Up: Start your day with focused energy, stretching and relaxation in a gently guided yoga workshop. Bring clothes to move in and a yoga mat if you have one. Taught by certified yoga instructor and ICC's vocal music instructor, Kelly Webber. Thurs. & Fri. 8:00 AM

Musical Theatre History: A walk through America's greatest homegrown artform: Musical Theatre, explored through video, music and a rich and entertaining narrative by one of the most knowledgeable musical theatre practitioners in America, Broadway performer and Producing Artist Director of Music Theatre of Wichita, Wayne Bryan. Fri. 9:30

The Scholars Conference: The presentation of scholarly papers on William Inge and this year's honoree, Paula Vogel. Moderated by Conference Chair, Jackson Bryer. William Inge Papers Fri. 2:00; Paula Vogel Papers Sat. 2:00

State of the Theatre: Recent national studies have looked at the lives and careers of playwrights and the ecosystem in which new plays are developed and produced. Among the findings—"a collaboration in crisis" between playwrights and those who produce their work. A series of national conversations are generating new ideas, new energy and calls to action. Discussion leaders: Gigi Bolt, Teresa Eyring and Peter Franklin. Thurs. 11:00 AM, Sat. 9:30 AM

Director/Playwright Collaboration: A look at the different methods of collaboration on a new play. Exploring the roles of the various collaborators as a play is transformed from page to stage. A variety of directors and playwrights discuss their processes. Playwrights include: Marcia Cebulska, Katori Hall. Directors include: Peter Ellenstein and Chay Yew. Moderator: Teresa EyringFri. 2:00 PM

The Directing Process: An exploration of the process and techniques used by a working professional director as he moves a script through casting and design meetings into the rehearsal room and onto the stage. Taught by Peter Ellenstein

THE MOUNTAINTOP Discussion: A discussion of the previous night's play by Katori Hall. Director, Chay Yew will lead the discussion. Friday 9:30 AM

A Conversation with Paula Vogel: Noted author and scholar David Savran interviews Paula about her life and career as a writer and teacher. Followed by a Q&A with the audience. David Savran and Paula Vogel. Friday, 11:00 AM -12:20 PM

Autograph Signings: The official autograph signing session takes place following the conversation with Paula Vogel on Friday. Books and CD's are available for purchase at Registration. Along with Ms. Vogel and last year's honoree, Mr. Jones, other writers and performers include: New Voices winner Katori Hall, Mary Hanes, Jackson Bryer, Marcia Cebulska, Barbara Dana, Yvette Freeman, and Ralph Voss. Friday 12:20 PM

Building the Playwright's Career: From the perspective of one of theatre's leading agents. How does an agent find playwrights, market their scripts and build their careers. Taught by Peter Franklin Thurs. 3:30 PM

Bunraku Puppetry for the Beginner: Instruction in the fundamental techniques of modified Bunraku puppetry for the beginner. Taught by Jessica Scott Thurs. 9:30 AM, Fri. 3:30 PM

Theater and the Media: A discussion of how the changed landscape of media altered the public perception of the theater arts. What are some changes that have or might occur? What lies ahead for the print media's extended relationship with theater coverage and criticism? Robert Trussell, Dan Sullivan Sat. 2:00 PM

Elizabeth Wilson – My Life in Theatre and Film: Tony winner and Theatre Hall of Fame member, Elizabeth Wilson, talks about her sixty-plus years in theatre and film, while showing video clips from a selection of her work, and answering questions about her remarkable life on stage and screen. Presented by Elizabeth Wilson Thurs. 3:30 PM

Following the Dream in Hollywood: Several performers share their experiences in trying to pursue the performing arts in Los Angeles. Taught by Yvette Freeman, Deirdre Lovejoy, Alan Safier Thurs. 2:00 PM

Following the Dream in New York: Several performers share their experiences in trying to be in the theatre in the Big Apple. Taught by Gilbert Glenn Brown, Stacey Sargeant, Jeremy Webb, Amanda White Fri. 3:30 PM

Poetry-Theatre: creating/performing your own work: A combination writing/performance class that translates your life, ideas and inspiration into work you can perform. For all ages, levels, shapes and sizes. Bring writing utensils, paper, creativity, sensitivity, guts and a healthy sense of humor. Taught by Steven Sapp Thurs. 11:00, Fri. 2:00-3:15

The Scholars Conference: The presentation of scholarly papers on William Inge and this year's honoree, Paula Vogel. Moderated by Conference Chair, Jackson Bryer. William Inge Papers Fri. 2:00-3:15 PM; Paula Vogel Papers Sat. 2:00-3:15 PM

So You Want to Be a Critic: Are you sure? An hour or so examining the rewards and responsibilities of an increasingly perilous profession, with illustrative real-life examples. Come prepared to do a little writing. Taught by Dan Sullivan Fri. 3:30 PM

State of the Theatre: Recent national studies have looked at the lives and careers of playwrights and the ecosystem in which new plays are developed and produced. Among the findings—"a collaboration in crisis" between playwrights and those who produce their work. A series of national conversations are generating new ideas, new energy and calls to action. Discussion leaders: Gigi Bolt, Teresa Eyring and Peter Franklin. Thurs. 11:00 AM, Sat. 9:30 AM

Landing A Song: OBIE-winning actress, singer and recording artist, Yvette Freeman covers the nuts and bolts of choosing and working your song for maximum effect. Please prepare and bring 24-32 bars of an audition song. Accompanied by Lanny Hartley. Taught by Yvette Freeman Thurs. 11:00 AM

Musical Theatre Coaching: Please prepare and bring 24-32 bars of an audition song. Get coached by a Tony nominee, Stacey Sargeant. Fri. 2:30 PM

Musical Theatre History: A walk through America's greatest homegrown artform – Musical Theatre, explored through video, music and a rich and entertaining narrative by one of the most knowledgeable musical theatre practitioners in America, Broadway performer and Producing Artist Director of Music Theatre of Wichita, Wayne Bryan. Fri. 9:30 AM

Trying To Remember: an unprepared speech by Tom Jones with questions to follow. 2009 Honoree Tom Jones, creator of "The Fantasticks" and many other musicals, talks about whatever he feels like and may leave room for questions, if he remembers. Tom Jones Sat. 11:00 AM

Becoming Emily Dickinson: In this workshop we explore the art of portraying a well-known person or character in a play or novel from another time. How do you make your character live? After an introduction to Barbara Dana's experience portraying Emily Dickinson as an actor in THE BELLE OF AMHERST and as writer in her novel A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, participants will explore their own process. They will pick a heroine or hero who inspires them. Do they want to act their choice, write about her, or both? How do they begin? How do they complete this exciting task? Concrete steps are explored and enjoyed by all. Taught by Barbara Dana. Sat. 2:00 PM

Director/Playwright Collaboration: A look at the different methods of collaboration on a new play. Exploring the roles of the various collaborators as a play is transformed from page to stage. A variety of directors and playwrights discuss their processes. Playwrights include: Marcia Cebulska, Katori Hall. Directors include: Peter Ellenstein, and Chay Yew. Moderator: Teresa Eyring Fri. 2:00 PM

Getting Started: For beginning playwrights. Working on unblanking the blank page and getting rolling. Using your immediate surroundings to come up with character, dialogue, plot and play. By the end of the workshop, participants will have the beginnings of a play and a full outline of who it's about and where it should go, even if they enter the room with no idea. (This workshop also includes a quick breakdown of dramatic structure and playwriting terminology). Taught by Philip Dawkins

Kick Your Script Into Shape: It's playwriting according the teachings and meditations of Bruce Lee. Following the teachings of this Jeet Kun Do Master, we learn to practice the methods of "no way as way" and fluidity of form, hopefully resulting in some take-no-prisoners, kick ass scripts. Taught by Philip Dawkins Fri. 9:30 AM

Master Class in Playwriting with Paula Vogel: Bring paper and pencil for a workshop with the most successful playwriting instructor in America! Taught by Paula Vogel Sat. 3:15 PM

THE MOUNTAINTOP Discussion: A discussion of the previous night's play by Katori Hall. Director, Chay Yew will lead the discussion. Friday 9:30 AM

Playwriting with Katori Hall: Our New Voices winner leads a hands-on workshop to develop your playwriting chops. Taught by Katori Hall Sat. 2:00 PM

Playwriting - The Art of Seduction: What entices the audience into the world of the play and what keeps them enraptured? Participants will examine their own experiences as audience members and use this information to help them learn first how to capture people's imagination and then how to fully engage and communicate with the audience. In this hands-on workshop, a short, delightful, non-threatening exercise in monologue-writing will serve as lab experience. Taught by Marcia Cebulska Thurs. 9:30 AM

Poetry-Theatre - creating/performing your own work: A combination writing/performance class that translates your life, ideas and inspiration into work you can perform. For all ages, levels, shapes and sizes. Bring writing utensils, paper, creativity, sensitivity, guts and a healthy sense of humor. Taught by Steven Sapp Thurs. 11:00, Fri. 2:00

Solitary Profession, My A$$ - An exercise in basic collaborative writing: Too often, writers feel they need to lock themselves away in a room, breaking pencils and tearing their hair out, never to be seen or heard from again until they produce something of quality. Sometimes, though, it's easier (or at least more fun than solitary confinement) to produce something—anything—when a bunch of writers are locked in a room—Together! And that's the basic gist of this workshop. A bunch of theater-loving, word-smithing people getting together to bounce ideas off of each other and cobbling something fun together. We'll start with a basic prompt, move into guided group exercise, and then into a full-blown, free-for-all, collaboration. Who knows? Maybe by the end of our eighty minutes together, we'll even have something of quality. Taught by Chisa Hutchinson Thurs. 2:00 PM

So You Want to Be a Critic: Are you sure? An hour or so examining the rewards and responsibilities of an increasingly perilous profession, with illustrative real-life examples. Come prepared to do a little writing. Taught by Dan Sullivan Fri. 3:30 PM

Where Do Ideas Come From: Whether you're writing your first play or your tenth, it all starts with an idea. But right now, you're sitting in front of your computer, and unfortunately, inspiration just isn't coming. It's time to push yourself away from your desk, grab your notebook, engage your curiosity and hit the metaphorical road. Taught by Mary Hanes Fri. 3:30 PM

Writing Games: A collage of various writing games to help generate ideas, move out of blocks, find some focus, and in general kick start some of the juices. Participants will write and share. Taught by David Rush Sat. 9:30 AM

Writing Scenes That Wow: Why are some scenes especially engaging and how does one go about writing such memorable scenes? We will examine the inner-workings of scene construction and the art of creating the "wow" factor. Cebulska will dissect some of her own favorite scenes to examine how and why they work. She will also give an account of her personal process, tracing the evolution of a scene from initial light bulb flash through frustrating bumps-in-the-road to fully developed text. All levels of experience are invited to attend. Taught by Marcia Cebulska Sat. 11:00 AM

Bunraku Puppetry for the Beginner: Instruction in the fundamental techniques of modified Bunraku puppetry for the beginner. Taught by Jessica Scott Thurs. 9:30 AM, Fri. 3:30 PM

State of the Theatre: Recent national studies have looked at the lives and careers of playwrights and the ecosystem in which new plays are developed and produced. Among the findings—"a collaboration in crisis" between playwrights and those who produce their work. A series of national conversations are generating new ideas, new energy and calls to action. Discussion leaders: Gigi Bolt, Teresa Eyring and Peter Franklin. Thurs. 11:00 AM, Sat. 9:30 AM

Bunraku Puppetry for the Beginner: Instruction in the fundamental techniques of modified Bunraku puppetry for the beginner. Taught by Jessica Scott Thurs. 9:30 AM, Fri. 3:30 PM

All About Inge - Inge Collection: Inge's biographer, Ralph Voss, discusses Inge's life and works and the materials in the William Inge Collection, used by researchers from around the world. Taught by Ralph Voss Thurs. 3:45 PM,Fri. 3:45 PM, Sat. 9:30 AM

Inge and the Critics: A look at how William Inge was first celebrated and then vilified by the critics and how critical perception has changed in the thirty five plus years since his death. Taught by Dan Sullivan Thurs. 2:00 PM

The Scholars Conference: The presentation of scholarly papers on William Inge and this year's honoree, Paula Vogel. Moderated by Conference Chair, Jackson Bryer. William Inge Papers Fri. 2:00-3:15 PM; Paula Vogel Papers Sat. 2:00-3:15 PM