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We are dedicated to creating programs that make use of the full
educational potential of theater as a subject of study, an instrument
for the development of life skills, and as a means of making other
subjects more accessible to students.
The art of theater is also
an excellent method of teaching non-theatrical subjects in a creative
interactive and stimulating way. In addition to the workshops below,
we've worked with schools on their productions, filling in roles
such as Fight Choreographer, Dialect Coach and even Director! We
will partner with your school to develop a program that specifically
meets your needs.
Costs for workshops and
residencies vary with each topic. Prices range from $60 - $100
per session. Sessions are 45 minutes - 1 hour, adaptable to school
schedules. All workshops are designed for a classroom sized group
of 10-30 students. Most workshops can be performed in single visits
or in a residency format with multiple visits. To get the most
out of the experience, we recommend a residency of at least four
visits to go in depth on any of the topics below. Many topics fall
into multiple catagories, so be sure to scroll down through all
offerings!
Programs for
Theater Arts Standards
These workshops serve as introductions to aspects of the theatrical
art form. Let our teaching artists design a program tailored to
your students' interest and level of expertise.
Acting Basics
So many members of the
education artist staff love teaching basic acting skills that this
course can offer a number of approaches to learning acting basics.
Try a single approach or several, you’re bound to love the
learning too!
Teaching Artist:
Various Recommended:
4th - 12th grades
Acting
with Style
This workshop explores the demands of acting within a particular
historical style, including: Ancient Greek, Elizabethan, Commedia
dell’Arte and Restoration. Theatrical conventions, the demands
of wearing period costume and social customs, including bows and
curtsies, are covered.
Teaching Artist:
Angela Iannone Recommended Age:
9th - 12th grades
Auditioning Techniques
This practical workshop for students will explore how to audition,
including monologues and cold readings. Some focus will also be
placed on resume development and headshots. For high schoolaudiences,
the workshop will also include techniques for auditioning and interviewing
for college theater programs. Monologue selection and coaching
is also available.
Teaching Artist:
Dean Yohnk, Jenny Kostreva Recommended Age:
8th - 12th grades
Introduction
to Directing
This hands-on workshop
will look at ways to read and analyze plays as well as develop
a concept for taking a play from page to stage. Learn to translate
your ideas into stage action as well as techniques on working with
actors.
Teaching Artist:
Dean Yohnk, Jenny Kostreva Recommended Age:
9th - 12th grades
Introduction
to Improvisation
Okay. . . the audience suggests that a UFO has just abducted you
and you’re locked in a holding cell with a talking tree,
two politicians and Bozo the Clown. . .GO! Through this fast-paced
class, students learn to take suggestions and create lively scenes
that leave the audience cheering.
Teaching Artist:
Various Recommended Age:
4th - 12th grades
Movement for the Actor
This workshop provides an overview of movement for the stage and
an examination of the student actor’s physical energies including:
neutrality, relaxation, balance, alignment, center of gravity,
isolations and movement choices. It encourages the student to explore
creative movement and apply these skills to character study and
scene-work. The workshop also promotes awareness of the body on
stage, reinforcing and developing physical stage presence and the
dynamics of non-verbal communication through both scripted and
improvised character-based movement. Minimum of 2 visits required.
Teaching Artist: Angela Iannone Recommended Age:
9th - 12th grades
Musical Theater Dance
This high-energy workshop consists of a basic dance warm-up, followed by three
dances often found in musicals. The dances are easy to learn and fun to execute,
but give a sense of how it feels like to dance in a musical theater production.
Emphasis is placed on
“dancing a character”, as well as trying the steps
and styles of Music Theater. Fun for all!
Teaching Artist: Nancy Weiss-McQuide Recommended Age: 4th
- 12th grades
Physical
Comedy Toolbox
Comedies and farces are full
of physical humor that continues to make audiences laugh. This
workshop will teach students to explore these hilarious physical
possibilities and incorporate them seamlessly into character.
Teaching Artist:
Marcy Kearns Recommended Age:
4th - 12th grades
Playwriting:
Expressing Life Stories
This flexible playwriting
workshop will introduce participants to a wide range of playwriting
techniques and activities intended to express diverse life stories.
Participants will work collaboratively to create original monologues,
scenes and plays.
Teaching Artist:
Dr. Dean Yohnk Recommended Age:
9th - 12th grades
Shakespeare Power
A perfect opportunity to make sense out of Shakespeare! This workshop
is designed to actively explore Shakespeare’s stage conventions,
themes and wordplay. This is real proof that the Bard doesn’t
have to be barbarous for your students. Single or multiple workshop
experiences available.
Teaching Artist: Angela Iannone Recommended
Age:
9th - 12th grades
Stage
Combat
Learn the basics of hand-to-hand and simple weapons combat for
the stage. With the focus on safety and the emphasis on fun, this
class can’t be “beat”. Large space with mats
is desirable.
Teaching Artist:
Jamie Cheatham, Richard Hedderman Recommended Age:
7th - 12th grades
Programs for Language Arts and
Reading Standards
The art of theater is an excellent method of teaching core
subjects in a creative, interactive and stimulating way. These
workshops make use of theatrical concepts as tools for educating
students.
Creative Writing Workshop
This workshop is designed to enhance students' writing skills by
using creative techniques that draw from students own experiences
and observations. This highly successful workshop has been used
in MPS, nationally and internationally. 10-20 students, spiral
notebook and pencil required. Residency requires six visits.
Teaching Artist: Nomusa Xaba (Mama Nomusa) Recommended
Age: 4th - 12th grades
Dramatic
Writing Workshops (2 options)
Two Day Introduction to Playwriting -
In this workshop students will be introduced to the fundamentals
of dramatic writing through creative exercises that will explore
character, conflict and plot structure. Students will be encouraged
to write and perform two contrasting monologues from characters
they’ve created
in the workshop!
Five Day Playwriting Intensive - In this workshop
students will explore: character development, the layers of
dramatic conflict, inciting incidents and plot development.
We will focus on the creation of a ten-minute-play by constructing
vivid characters and writing monologues for them.
Teaching Artist:
Laura Lynn MacDonald Recommended Age:
4th - 12th grades Download flyer
Mean What you Say, Say what you Mean
Encouraging honesty and a love of words, this class asks students
to explore texts orally. After choosing a poem or prose piece that
is meaningful to them, students will be guided through a series
of exercises that explore the piece, physically, vocally and emotionally.
Teaching Artist:
Shannon Sloan-Spice Recommended Age:
4th - 12th grades
Storyteller
in Residence – A Journey in Building Character
Story is a powerful tool
to teach character and motivate students. Through
carefully chosen stories, students' minds will be actively engaged
in imagining, predicting and weighing the justice of the events
and outcomes in each story. The power of a well-told story can win
over the most reluctant participant. The school culture will benefit
long after the storyteller is gone because studies have shown retention
levels from stories told are higher than those that are
read. This will assist the school in maintaining solid values, establishing
a common language, and defusing volatile situations. Residency requires
10 visits.
Teaching Artist:
Nomusa Xaba (Mama Nomusa) Recommended Age:
1st - 12th grades
Programs
for Teaching Life Skills
Although all of our programs help teach students life skills necessary
in tody's world including communication, teamwork, problem-solving
and listening, we also have specific workshops and residencies
geared towards the development of these skills.
Peacelab
In a time when violence in our schools becomes a more looming concern,
this class offers peace skills to your students. Through role-playing
and other awareness-raising games, students will learn a myriad
of ways to recognize and avoid potentially violent situations.
Teaching Artist:
Olusegun Siguwade
Recommended Age:
6th - 12th grades
Theater
Residency - Life Skills Focus
We can create a program for your school-day or as part of your
after-school program, to teach students through the dynamic art
of theater, their importance as individuals and how to better function
in a community. Theater games and improvisation teach skills in
focus, teamwork, group problem-solving and communicating positively
with face, voice and body. Recommended minimum number of visits:
6
Teaching Artist:
Jenny Kostreva, Rebecca Witt Recommended Age:
4th - 12th grades
**CREATE YOUR OWN
WORKSHOP**
Is there something you have in mind that you can’t find on
this list? Do you need assistance on your school's production? The
Rep’s Education Department has a wide range of talented education
artists who specialize in different areas. We can be a resource
to you!
Contact our education
department to see how we can meet your needs:
Jenny Kostreva, Education
Director - jkostreva@milwaukeerep.com or 414-290-5370
Rebecca Witt, Education
Coordinator - rwitt@milwaukeerep.com or 414-290-5393
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