Introducing the summer theatre intensive at St. Martins Episcopal School!!

A three week conservatory program which consists of a variety of theatrical techniques taught by professional artists from all over. Working with several different methods students will be introduced to improvisational forms, stage combat and move¬ment techniques and finally voice and diction with the exploration of Shakespeare's language using the "First Folio" technique. During the course training students will also be rehearsing and collaborat¬ing on a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors" to be performed at the end of the three weeks on the Solomon stage at St. Martins. Throughout the course of these three weeks students will spend two to three hours a day in class followed by several hours of rehearsal on their production of "Comedy."

Join us for an incredible opportunity to work with skilled profes¬sionals and to learn the fundamentals of working together as an ensemble in a full scale conservatory environment!! Here is a layout of the material learned each week!

Week one:
During the first week students will be introduced to the basics of Stage Combat and physical interpretation skills as taught by one of the country's foremost fight directors. A certified Alexander teacher and award winning movement instructor Robin McFarquhar has worked extensively in Chicago, New York, Utah, Virginia among others. His methods include period movement styles, relaxation and centering techniques, circus skills and all forms of stage combat. Throughout the week the students will work with Robin on the fundamentals of combat training as well as exploring the physical nature of building character.

Week two:
Following the first session students will then dive into the world of improvisational techniques. Lindsey Pearlman is an accomplished actress, singer, and writer with a primary focus on improvisational comedy. Trained at the "Second City Conservatory Program," Linsdey's work has been honored in and around Chicago for the past seven years. Through improvisation, this five-day workshop will as¬sist students in discovering how observation, listening, honesty, body language, heightening, supporting one another, the absence of words, and being 100% present can communicate scripted material. The objective of the workshop is not necessarily to be funny, but rather, how improvisational techniques aid in all aspects of performance - from modern plays to classic Shakespeare.

Week three:
The final week of the conservatory will conclude with a study of Shakespeare's "First Folio Technique." A popular method used by some of the most respected Shakespeare theatres in the world the folio guides actors into the exploration of Shakespeare's language in an active and exciting way. Braden Moran, a union actor in Chicago who has taught and used the folio technique for several years in Montana, Chicago and Milwaukee, will be joining us for our final week to help solidify our understanding of using verse and prose and to aid in overall vocal projection and diction on stage. Assisting Braden with this workshop is an accomplished stage and film actress Elaine Robinson who brings an in-depth knowledge of simplifying character development. Her enthusiasm in the class room is bound to capture any young mind.