Coaching Notes and Techniques: Outstanding elements: Focus, commitment, listening, risk taking! Tireless efforts, personalized attention and skills! Areas for improvement: Eliminate bending at waist, energy should come from the center of the body Lift sternum Heighten stakes (especially in “conversational” scenes) Follow through end of sentences–energy Eliminate wandering Keep the voice strong in a large …
QUICK MEDITATION: KAY ALWAYS BEGINS CLASS WITH A CENTERING AND FOCUS EXERCISE. “Going Between the Thoughts”, Getting into the Present Moment Close your eyes. Focus on the breath. Let the mouth be slightly open, notice cool air in, warm air out. Notice: Is the breath in the chest, or in the diaphragm? Without judgment, always …
MANTRAS: Kay teaches “mantras”– those are, essentially, your “inner monologue” before you go into a scene–which could be applied to a meeting or a challenging conversation. To adjust your mindset, intentionally think your “mantra” with meaning before or after important interactions. The mantra is one meaningful short sentence or phrase that is aligned with your overall …
VOICE AND SPEECH SKILLS: An introduction to the mechanics of voice and speech, including a practical warm-up. Exercises will be provided to strengthen and improve the voice, and to practice articulation for greater clarity in speech. Additional focus will be on relaxation, body alignment, and the utilization of breath to alleviate the tension that blocks …
COLD READING TECHNIQUE: A practical application of skills to help the actor through the first read of a new script in a first time audition situation, or in a “call back.” Script analysis techniques will be provided, including: quick script diagnosis, finding focus, staying “in the moment”, using the scene partner to make choices, making …
THEATRE AUDITION AND REHEARSAL PREP: – Vocabulary & Terminology (Kay) The student learns an “Acting Vocabulary” and communication tools to feel comfortable and speak intelligently in a professional audition situation; and/or in “First Rehearsal”, after landing the job. Theatre terminology is provided to assist the student in understanding the casting director/play director. “Table work”, stage …
TRUTH VS. REALITY: It takes a great deal of trust in your partner, and a mutual respect between actors to take risks in the work. We are not playing reality: i.e., I am not actually that character (i.e., murderer), and am not actually going to hurt my partner in any way. However, I need to …