THESFEST WORKSHOPS
(THU & FRI)
- Please review the offerings below – Select one workshop for each of the 3 sessions. Please understand that this list may change, and that some will fill quickly. Students should have alternate choices in mind.
- The workshop sign up window for troupe directors will open on Sunday, December 15th at 6pm and close at 6pm Wednesday, December 18th.
- Each Troupe should have a least 1 member attend the STO leadership workshop. Students attending this workshop need to be signed up for both sessions. Troupes may have as many students attend as are interested, however each troupe only gets 1 vote.
- All students must attend three sessions. (unless you are involved with a main stage load in)
- You may have between 2 -10% of your delegation may attend the workshop on a day - if you have 30 students, you may only request 3 for the 1st session – but you may select 3 for 2nd session as well, etc. – since all workshops are offered three times (except for the Leadership/STO and ITO)
- We will not use tickets this year.
STUDENT WORKSHOPS ...
1. Leadership/STO Selection - Jill Campbell & Marlene Thornton, PA Thespian STO Advisors. This is a 2 part workshop - Thu and 2nd Fri session - you need to attend both sessions. All STOs, STO candidates need to attend. Each troupe should have at least 1 representative, but may have more (each troupe only gets one vote)
2. Mastering Tech Challenge - Amar Ahluwalia, Mastering Tech Challenge is a workshop is an opportunity for students to master the skills of the technical theater events that consist in the Tech Challenge. Whether you are competing in the challenge for the first time, a seasoned veteran, or a performer looking to expand you knowledge of technical theater, this workshop will help you be prepared for the challenge and better understand why knowing these skills is so important in technical theater.
3. DROPPED - Raising The Stakes! - Christopher Beaulieu, - DROPPED
replaced with..
Audio Console Fundamentals - Bobby Dengler - Audio Console Fundamentals introduces participants to the core principles and operational techniques of audio mixing consoles. This course covers a wide range of topics, including signal flow, input and output management, EQ and dynamics processing, routing, and effects integration. Participants will focus on key features like channel strip functions, bus assignments, and monitor mixing. Practical applications, such as setting gain structure, managing live sound, and recording setups, are emphasized. By the end of the course, attendees will have a solid foundation in audio console operation for both live and studio environments. Students will have the opportunity for a hands-on mixing experience.
4. Ensemble Resonance - The Voice of the Self and the Other - Ross Beschler, Using the inspiration of the voice as it resonates in ourselves, and in the space between members of an ensemble of actors, we will work together on listening and sounding in a group, and create a short improvised soundscape.
5. Improv for Actors - Peter Bisgaier, This workshop will help develop character building, listening skills, spontaneity, and other skills to add to the actor’s “tool box” through improvisation exorcises.
6. Once More, With Feeling!!! - Steffan Bomberger, In this essential workshop, we will use the core concepts of Social Emotional Learning to build a customizable and reliable method of character development for actors and directors alike.
7. Do You Hear the People Sing? Anthony Brooks, Huh? What did they say? Can you say that without feedback? Has this ever happened to you? Well I have the perfect solution for you! Participants in this Audio Workshop will gain knowledge of types of mics to use on stage. We will cover a wide variety of typical audio issues that may happen from time to time. Live demo, audience participation, and even a powerpoint guide to help the audio novice gain some quick advice!
8. Intentional Intimacy: Choreographing Moments with Consent and Communication - Kelly Carlson, In this workshop, you will learn how to advocate for yourself as an actor and honor YOUR boundaries as an individual. We will work on creating a consent-based rehearsal space where you can communicate with your cast mates and production team members. We will learn tools that can help us choreograph intimate and vulnerable moments on stage so that we feel in control and can set clear expectations.
9. Non Performance Careers in the Arts - Curtis Craig, A look at careers in the arts that aren’t performance.
10. Theatre Under the Hood - A guide to the who's who behind the curtains - Rhonda Craig, "Theatre Under the Hood" is an interactive workshop designed to demystify the foundational elements of theatre production for students and teachers alike. Wonder what a TD does? Or what does TD even mean? What's the difference between an A1, A2, A3 BINGO! What's the difference between the production stage manager a calling stage manager and an assistant stage manager? Why are there so many?!?! Let's break it down in a fun and interactive way.
11. The Broadway Dance Experience! - Brian Curl, Come and learn a fun combination from a Broadway-style show in this interactive session. Grab your confidence, bring some water, and get ready to dance! Dress comfortably and be prepared to move. Open to all levels: students and teachers.
12. Ten Minutes to Glory: Writing the Ten-Minute Play - Jonathan Dorf, Ever since the Actors Theatre of Louisville launched the National Ten-Minute Play Contest, the ten-minute play has become one of the theatre's most popular forms. The haiku of the playwriting world, it's great for festivals and competition, popular with audiences, a great calling card for a new playwright—and it's the easiest play to finish! Ready to write one? This workshop will have you well on the way to creating your new mini-opus.
13. Lighting Console Fundamentals - Becky McCarthy, Lighting Console Fundamentals provides an essential introduction to the key concepts and operational skills necessary for mastering lighting control systems. The course covers a range of topics, including basic console navigation, programming techniques, patching fixtures, and cue management. Participants will explore ETC lighting consoles, focusing on key functions such as creating and editing lighting looks, timing and transitions, and working with both conventional and intelligent fixtures. By the end of the course, attendees will gain the foundational knowledge required to confidently operate lighting consoles in various production environments.
14. Making The Cut: The Art of Cutting Your Audition Material - Joshua Harper, Have you every wondered what collegiate faculty or professional companies are looking for when it comes to your BFA in Musical Theatre or first professional company audition? Confused about what a "great" cut for your audition pieces might be? Join Dr. Joshua Harper, Music Director at Wilkes University to discuss what makes great audition cuts and what pitfalls to avoid. Learn skills about how to make your musical audition one that highlights your greatest strengths while avoiding unnecessary sections, setting you up for your best success. Bring YOUR sheet music and we'll spend some time working on cutting your own pieces to help you Make The Cut!
15. The Art of the Audition - Kenneth Huitt, Auditioning well is one of the most crucial elements in the success of any performer. It can also be the most stressful. The Art of the Audition is a fully comprehensive Casting Workshop for Performers, Which emphasizes a variety of key concepts that artists can use to make the most of the Audition Process. NYFA Senior Outreach Specialist Kenneth Huitt will lead this session focusing on how Actors can Audition Successfully and book more roles. Students should be prepared to get on their feet to do scene work & monologues.
16. Viewpoints for the Performer: Creative physical solutions to staging & text interpretation - Kathy Morath, Using the seven Viewpoints, as codified by theatre artist Anne Bogart, we will explore space, tempo, architecture, duration and other applications for total immersion in physical reality. By utilizing new tools for exploration and “group mind” activity, fresh perspective and process will help young performers find creative solutions to theatrical challenges in acting, singing, and dance applications. Wear loose clothing and comfortable footwear.
17. DROPPED - Auditioning Reimagined: Banishing Self Doubt - Malia'Kekia Nicolini, - DROPPED
replaced with..
Bringing Biography to Life! - Elaine Bromka, There are living stories all around you. In this "jump-in" class, you'll get prompts from photos and newspaper human interest features. Learn to tell those stories on the spot -- and have a blast while you're doing it!
18. Quick Change Solutions for Costumes, Wigs & Makeup - Elizabeth Polley, Join a professional wardrobe manager to learn quick change techniques and solutions for costumes, wigs, and makeup. Learn how to coordinate quick changes between the hair and makeup crew and the wardrobe crew so changes run smoothly and efficiently. Discover how to simplify closures, the best order of operations, the power of paperwork, and the importance of quick-change choreography and consistency. Professor Polley's professional experiences have brought countless complicated productions to the stage, and she is ready to share her strategies for success.
19. Improvising Through Life - Matt Pozzuolo, Let's do some improv! In this workshop you'll learn about the tools and techniques to become a great improviser, whether you have a true passion for improvisation, want to improve as an overall perform, or just want to have some fun and get out of your own head! You will play in a safe and nurturing class environment with group exercises, games and scene work. Together we'll we'll build something incredible together. You'll also learn how many of the ideas of improv are transferable to help you navigate your everyday life. Come prepared to relax and be silly with one another.
20. Focus on Staging - David Rigano, When a director moves actors around a stage, they do so with the goal of telling a story through stage pictures and focal points. The size and shape of a stage can change how an audience sees these focal points and therefore how a director stages the scenes. In this workshop we will examine how focal points shift the audience's perception of the story and how different types of playing spaces change how the director chooses to highlight the story. After looking at the differences between proscenium, three-quarter thrust, and in-the-round stages, the class will collaboratively stage a scene for those three different types of spaces. We will also discuss found spaces, site specific theatre, and immersive theatre.
21. An Introduction to Slow Tempo Movement for the Actor - Benjamin Roberts, This workshop is designed to give students and educators an overview of working in slow tempo, using this as an exploration of dramatic moments, and constructing character. We will explore rehearsal techniques and exercises designed to unlock the creative abilities and imagination of the actor. This workshop examines the work of Japanese theatre artists Shogo Ohta and Tadashi Suzuki.
22. Musical Theatre Dance Workshop - Joshua Schwartz, Here actors and dancers of all levels have the opportunity to concentrate on grounding their center with proper placement while combining style and musicality. Combinations vary but are all focused in the musical theatre style and prioritizing storytelling and acting. The class is then guided through an across-the-floor combination that with continue to focus on technical elements, feeling comfortable traveling throughout the space as well as character development. Class will be concluded with a musical theatre dance combination followed by a brief cool down.
23. Sceneing Green: Rethinking Sustainable Design - Vandy Scoates, In this workshop we will re-evaluate a scenic design from both a technical director and scenic designer’s viewpoint, to find ways we can make it more sustainable. This hands on workshop will include learning about sustainable practices and materials and how to use a scale ruler. We will then apply that knowledge to drafting in order to come up with real world sustainable solutions.
24. Fun and Safety of Stage Combat - Brent Shultz, This course explores storytelling through violence and introduces martially truthful safe combat techniques. Course topics include: Warmup/Stretching, Safety, Consent, Unarmed Contact and Non-Contact Techniques for Stage and Film, Scene Work, Rehearsal, Choreographing the Fight and De-Roleing.
25. Make Good Choices -- Preparing for College Auditions (or ANY auditions!) - Steve Snyder, What are the things I MUST do for my audition to be a good one? What material should I use? How do I Prepare? What are colleges even looking for? This workshop will explore a step by step approach to preparing a great audition, in addition to space for Q and A. If any attendees have monologues to work with as we build examples, that will be great! If not, no worries! We'll have some samples we can use as we work with you to shape a great audition.
26. Intimacy Choreography for Actors and Directors - John Paul "JP"Staszel, This workshop introduces fundamental techniques and ideas to implement when staging moments of intimacy. It introduces consent-based practices and ways to explore scenes with intimacy in a helpful and transparent manner. It strives to introduce comfortable ways for actors and directors to collaborate in a safe and consenting manner when dealing with moments of intimacy.
27. Body and Voice: The Primary Instruments - Jonathan Strayer, You will engage in an active exploration of the actor’s primary instruments: body and voice. Workshop participants will practice physical and vocal techniques to gain a deeper understanding of how to use these tools to create and develop three-dimensional characters. This workshop is also valuable for directors, providing insights on guiding actors in building vibrant, dynamic characters on stage.
28. Devised Theatre - Mary Lennon, Students will go over the building blocks and tools of Devised Theatre, why devising can help them with scenes and creating characters, and then do some devised scenes in groups.
29. Poetry Alive - Dorothea Hackett, Building a scene based on interpretation of poetry.
30. From Page to Stage - The Making of a Musical - Amanda Gullah, Have you ever had an idea that you wanted to share with an audience, but didn't know how to begin? Have you written a first draft of a show, but don't know what the next steps are? Has your show had a reading, but has been stuck in limbo ever since? What even is a staged reading anyway? All of this and more will be explored, applied, and challenged over the course of this workshop.
Participants are welcome to bring along write ups of their ideas, or samples of their work, in order to get a more hands-on experience. Masking is encouraged in this workshop as the speaker is immunocompromised. Additional N95 will be provided should participants not have access to one.
31. The Accents Blueprint: The Toolkit to Learn Any Accent - Matthew Koenig, an immersive, hands-on workshop designed to give actors the tools and confidence to master any accent. Led by a Knight Thompson Speechwork certified teacher, this course offers an overview to accent acquisition using the Four Ps: People, Posture, Prosody, and Pronunciation Integrating physicalization, breathwork, and play, we will explore strategies to acquire and embody any accent. Additionally, we will dive into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
to pronunciation, providing you with a foundation to tackle any dialect with precision. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop equips you with the tools to approach any accent confidently. Each session explores a different accent from around the world, giving repeat participants the opportunity to walk away with a new accent!