WORKSHOPS FOR THE ACTOR
WITH SUSAN M. FELDER

13-14 July

Alex Theatre, St Kilda

Antipodes Theatre Company is thrilled to host U.S.-based teaching artist Susan M. Felder in her first visit to Australia. Felder will present a series of FOUR acting workshops (descriptions below). Come to one workshop or book in for all four. ONLY 20 SPOTS PER WORKSHOP, so don't wait! Must be 18+ to attend.

Click headshot for bio.

THE ACTOR AND THE SCRIPT
Saturday 13 July, 10:00am-1:00pm

Why do some actors just seem to “get it?” What gives them an edge during auditions and rehearsals? This workshop will focus on honing the skills of performance and creating a character through a deeper understanding of the actor’s relationship to the play. This includes examining acting choices as they relate to play structure and theme in order to craft a character that illuminates the entire play. The workshop explores tools to develop a solid CHARACTER ARC which supports the function of character in the play; choices of OBSTACLES for use in a scene; and structuring a performance with an eye toward more dynamic BEATS.

MOVEMENT AND MASK
Saturday 13 July, 2:00-5:00pm

This workshop will guide the actor to generate energy, size and presence by making the body the primary instrument of expression. The actor studies their own habitual idiosyncrasies and discovers a deeper understanding of the subtleties and force of gesture and movement. Exercises are inspired by Lecoq, Laban and Stanislavski. Through work with masks, improv and group exercises, actors will explore shifting centers for the body, levels of energy and kinesthetic response. This offers a dynamic new set of skills and actions to bring to the craft of creating a character.

PARTNER WORK – LIVING THE TRUTH OF THE SCENE
Sunday 14 July, 10:00am-1:00pm

“You’re Romeo. You live in Verona. Your parents hate the Capulets...GO.” Without Juliet, without a relationship to Mercutio, Romeo would not be Romeo. This workshop focuses on actor relationships in and out of the play. We as actors must “sign a contract” with our acting partner to be present as our characters in relationship with one another. Participants will explore the tools and obstacles of trusting and making the most of an acting partner in order to craft an actual relationship on the stage. Exercises include active listening during a scene, inner monologue, kinesthetic response to each other and intimacy training.

ADVANCED ACTING
Sunday 14 July, 2:00-5:00pm

Monologue/Scene work. This workshop focuses on bringing the actor to a higher level of understanding and actor process. Through monologue work and exercises in subtext and environment, actors learn to more fully embody a character and the scene that surrounds them.

Comments by past participants:

“I LOVE this. It is one of the best I’ve ever taken.”
“Susan’s positivity is inspiring...She’s one of the best teachers I’ve had.”
“I really went outside my comfort zone and feel a lot more comfortable in my body”
“She’s a Shakespeare wizard.”
“I’ve grown so much as an actor.”
“Her love for specifics and detail in scene work helps me dive deeper into my character”
“She has helped me find my voice as an artist.”