RON GOROW SCHOLARSHIP A very gifted artist and a great friend, Ron Gorow, died suddenly in February of this year. Ron was looking forward to teaching again this summer at Shake Rag Alley, with his wife Judy Kerr, and we were looking forward to welcoming him back. Ron was an immense talent who generously shared his knowledge with others, always with a warm smile, a gentle manner, and a delightful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by many. THE RON GOROW SCHOLARSHIP will provide full tuition for the Stage and Screen Workshop Program at Shake Rag Alley to an individual (age 16 and older) who plans to pursue an education or career in the performing arts. To apply, send a one-page letter to Shake Rag Alley expressing your goals and experience in the performing arts and your reason for applying. Postmark letter by June 15. Notification by July 5. NOTE: Potential donors to the scholarship fund may send contributions to Shake Rag Alley, earmarked for the Ron Gorow Scholarship. |
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ACTING CAREER WORKSHOP How to prepare for a career in film and television is the stuff Seinfeld acting coach Judy Kerr knows best. She wrote the best seller now in its 11th edition, Acting Is Everything, An Actor’s Guidebook for a Successful Career. You will learn about auditioning, dealing with shyness and how to build your confidence, how to market yourself for the parts you want, when to look for an agent and manager, how to determine your “type” and the kind of roles that are right for you, photos, resumes, demo reels, even how to prepare for a move to Los Angeles! Class Code: 8B950 |
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INTRO TO STAGE COMBAT You will be introduced to the basic techniques inherent in all fight choreography, with an emphasis on safety and believability. Matt and Blake will demonstrate combat scenes from such classics as Romeo and Juliet and Roadhouse, to give you a dynamic education in the history and practice of modern stage combat systems and the historical fighting styles they are derived from. You will learn basic fight techniques such as “cooperative energy,” unarmed combat including punches and naps, fighting for film vs. theater, and standard fight vocabulary. By the end of the second class, you will be able to perform a choreographed four-phase unarmed fight sequence with a partner. (All ages over 14 yrs.) Class Code: 8B951 |
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“NORTHERN LIGHTS” SHOWING and Q&A A great opportunity to see this classic independent film with its creator, John Hanson. Winner of the prestigious Camera D’Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Northern Lights was John’s first feature film. The script won the Neil Simon Award for Best Screenplay for a dramatic television series (American Playhouse on PBS.) Currently The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is planning a complete restoration of Northern Lights for the Academy Film Archives and for screening at the Academy Theatre. Free to Stage and Screen workshop students. Send us e-mail to reserve your seat. Class Code: 8B952 |
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AUDITION FOR THE STARS Class Code: 8B953 |
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STAGE COMBAT & COMEDY SHOW New York stage actor/director Blake Bradford and fight choreographer, Matt Klan, will present some of theater’s most classic fight scenes interspersed with bits of comedy. It’s a mixture of entertainment and technique, showing how good fight scenes also incorporate good acting/character work. Free to Stage Combat workshop students. Send us e-mail to reserve your seat. |
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ABOUT THE BIZ: PANEL DISCUSSION / Q&A
Class Code: 8B955. |
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INTRODUCTION TO MEISNER TECHNIQUE: THE REALITY OF DOING: Jeffery has taught Meisner methodology for over 15 years. He will introduce you to the technique developed by one of the most famous, well-respected acting instructors of the 20th century, Sanford Meisner. You’ll spend the week on stage doing exercises, picking up background, doing scene work, and you’ll end the week working on scenes. Meisner’s technique centers on being fully ‘in the moment’ and complements “The Method” techniques made famous by Strasberg. Adults, 16 and older. (NOTE: Students may audit (observe) the Intermediate/Advanced session from 10:30–12:30 at no additional cost.) Class Code: 8B956 |
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MEISNER ONSTAGE! INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED: Students should have onstage and classroom acting experience (not necessarily in Meisner Technique). Jeffery is a master of Meisner methodology. You will spend the week applying Meisner’s principles to onstage work. Scenes from Lee Blessing’s play, Two Rooms, will be sent to you before the class meets, and you will select a scene which you will work on during class. The focus will be on finding how the “reality of doing” contributes to the development of life onstage. On Friday, scenes will be shared with the Shake Rag community in a showcase highlighting students’ work. (NOTE: Students may audit (observe) the Introduction to Meisner workshop from 9:00–10:30 at no additional cost.) Class Code: 8B957 |
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WRITING FOR STAGE AND SCREEN: Explore the fundamentals of screenwriting and playwriting with award winning playwright and screenwriter, Bill Svanoe. You will learn how to create story, plot, structure, scenes, character, and dialogue. Bill will also cover other writing-related subjects such as rewriting, inspiration, and criticism, and he will lead you through in-class exercises. Plan on some homework between classes. (NOTE: If you have taken Bill’s workshop previously, he will work with you on a more advanced level.) Adults, 16 and older. Class Code: 8B958. |
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DIRECTING FOR STAGE. LIVE! You’ll work side by side with a professional director and become fully immersed in a live production. You will follow director/writer Blake Bradford through the process of directing a new play which will open on Friday night. You will attend rehearsals for Bill Svanoe’s new comedy starring Emmy Award-winning actress Joan Darling and a cast of professional stage and screen actors. After rehearsal each day there will be a talk back session with Blake about the process. Class times may vary slightly. Plan on being a part of the live production on Friday evening, August 8. Directors and actors welcome. Class Code:8B959 |
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SENSE MEMORY & STRASBERG ACTING TECHNIQUES: You will explore and strengthen your acting skills through the Lee Strasberg method used by such greats as Brando, Hoffman, DeNiro, and Pacino. An accomplished stage and television actress and acting coach, Kerry will guide you through a series of sense memory exercises to enhance and tone your acting skills. You will learn invaluable relaxation and concentration techniques that will help you discover the depth of your own creativity. Through improvisation and monologues you will learn to approach your work from an imaginative, intuitive base rather than an intellectual one. Ages 16 and older. (NOTE: Recommended as a warm up for Joan Darling’s Acting for Stage and Screen.) Class Code: 8B960 |
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ACTING FOR STAGE & SCREEN: SCENE STUDY & MONOLOGUE: For Actors & Directors: Award-winning director and actress and creative advisor to Redford’s Sundance Institute, Joan is recognized as one of the finest acting and directing coaches in the business. Through active participation you will review acting techniques, sense memory, personalization, how to read a play, how to select work to create a role, character development, how to pick an event for a scene, and how to bring your vision to life. You will perform a monologue and a two-person scene with one-on-one attention. Directors: Learn the language that helps an actor deliver the performance you want as a director. (NOTE: Joan recommends Sense Memory & Strasberg Techniques for Actors as a warm up.) Class Code: 8B961 |
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INDIE FILMMAKING, FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN: Cannes award-winning director, producer, and screenwriter John Hanson will focus on the transformation of the screenplay to the imagery and magic of film. Using scenes from three of his independent feature films, Northern Lights, Wild-rose, and Shimmer, John will discuss the intent of the written scene and then show how that scene was filmed and edited. You will be provided scenes from the screenplays and will have a chance to analyze and compare written and filmed scenes. John will also show how he approached shooting and editing with the larger story in mind when creating Sisters, a documentary on Benedictine nuns for PBS and Drums of Passion, his latest documentary, on Babatunde Olatunji, the great Nigerian drummer and visionary. Adults, 16 and older. Class Code: 8B962 |
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HOLLYWOOD MOVIES: BEHIND THE SCENES: FILM & Q&A: Each evening you can enjoy watching a different award-winning film Peter helped create, with an open invitation after the movie to tap into Peter’s wealth of exprience in nearly every facet of film production, whether setting up a car chase on the streets of New York, running over budget on an 80-million dollar film, or dealing with huge casts and difficult super stars. You can ask him almost anything. Peter will share his behind-the-scenes perspective along with some great production “war stories.”. It’s all very casual and tons of fun. Class Code 8B963: $25 for all three sessions. |
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AUDITIONING FOR THE CAMERA: You’ll be working with the very savvy, highly sought-after acting coach from the popular television series, Seinfeld. Judy will quickly have you primed for action, on your feet and in front of the camera, coaching you in how to expand and fine tune your auditioning skills. You will work with monologues, commercials, day-player television scripts, and two-person television scenes. You’ll learn how to stay focused, how to act...and react...to get the part. Your scene work will be videotaped; edited segments of your best work on camera may be presented (with your permission) on Judy’s website and may be shown on Friday afternoon at a showcase of students’ work. Adults, 16 and older. Class Code: 8B964 |
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THE ONE-MAN SHOW IN YOU: CREATING A SOLO PERFORMANCE: Actor and playwright Mike Wiley will teach you how to pull imaginative stories from your own life and family using the principles of storytelling. You will learn how to create solo plays from ordinary and perhaps extraordinary daily incidents, events, and characters you met along the way. By filling in the details of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching, you will paint the setting, time, and emotions through words and action. These important and minute details of a story can affect our voices and bodies and eventually help create multiple characters and scenes plus wonderful solo plays. Individuals who have never performed in public have discovered new methods of expressing themselves. Experienced performers come away with a fresh understanding of the relationship between everyday experiences and theater presentations. Class Code: 8B965 |
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“JACKIE ROBINSON: A GAME APART” A ONE-MAN SHOW by MIKE WILEY:
Code: 8B966 reserve your seat by sending us an e-mail |
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PICNIC ON THE GREEN: Relax, enjoy the beauty of Shake Rag Alley’s gardens and historic grounds and socialize with students and instructors. A casual evening with brats, beverages and baseball at 8:00 pm: Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart! a one-man show created and performed by Mike Wiley. Performance Free. |
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WORKSHOP SHOWCASE
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Applause! Some students will take the stage to perform theirwork from the week. |
A group of Stage and Screen instructors will create an opportunity for you to experience what really happens in a professional audition. You’ll audition in front of industry pros and get feedback on your interview, photo, resume, and your performance. This is a simulated session, so you have nothing to risk, and everything to gain. You’ll get the perspective of a director, producer, writer, and casting director with an honest, constructive critique on how you did, whether you would get the job, a call back, or go home empty handed, and what you can do to improve in all areas. You will pick up great insights and helpful information, not only from your audition but also from observing the auditions of fellow students. Bring a three-minute monologue. Copy for readings will be provided. (NOTE: Expand & hone your auditioning skills with Seinfeld acting coach JudyKerr in Auditioning for the Camera.) 
Here’s your chance to get answers to your questions about the real world of film,television, and theater from a remarkable group of professional actors, directors, producers, and writers. You’ll pick up some great insights and tips about what it takes to break into the business and hear about some fascinating and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and experiences.
Acclaimed for his moving and enlightening original performances, Mike brings to life penetrating lessons of courage and leadership from heroic African-American athletes who pushed the color barrier to its breaking point. Learn what life was like in an era of separate, unequal locker rooms, whites-only hotels, and restaurants with only a back door for Colored Athletes to enter. You’ll meet role models of the outfield, the backcourt, the track, the ring, the blacktop, with all the mud, the blood, the sweat, and the tears. Allow this play to intrigue you, educate you, and inspire you. A Game Apart is a powerful story of courage through dedication and leadership. Free event thanks to the generosity of Shake Rag supporters!
