Workshops

Acting Workshops at Les Arts Scéniques

The fundamentals of performing that we teach, including basics of dramaturgy and acting style, are the outcome of our practical experience working onstage. Co-director, Cary Rick has, over the years, communicated these as a guest lecturer in the drama and dance departments of universities and theatre schools in the United States and Europe.

Techniques

The techniques that are taught include improvisational skills, rehearsal drill, the phrasing of monologues and dialogues, and principles of movement for the stage space. Aside from these basic skills, Cary Rick’s competence as a therapist simultaneously promotes each participant’s personal development as an individual.

Preparing roles and/or scenes requires the ability to imagine oneself in certain situations and, within this context, act spontaneously alone and with others. Improvisation is the source of personal materials that the actor then draws on to compose his or her finished performance. The technique of improvisational spontaneity has to be practiced as a stage craft.
Preparing a spoken monologue or dialogue in order to convey the pertinent characteristics of the character or the situation at hand not only requires the ability to organize the flow of speech, it includes the awareness of the way character development affects posture and gesture and the determination of locality within the performing space.
Performing requires the ability to plan and execute movement actions that are simultaneously clearly visible to the audience and relevant to the dramatized situation at hand. This capacity rests on the ability to plan and control postures, gestures, and spatial positions within the context of sight lines that comply with the audience’s perspective. In other words, one must be aware of how a gesture relates visually to the scenic space from the audience’s viewpoint.
An acting class is also a social framework that can promote individual development. Our classes are thus also geared to accommodate the integration of social skills such as leading and following, taking initiative with awareness of the consequences, and the confidence needed to express oneself without fear in a self-understood manner.
Working through a role, monologue, dialogue or scene in order for it to convey a satisfying beginning, middle and ending for the audience requires not only skill but also critical self-reflection, and the discipline of repetition.

Testimonials

  • Katya Buser
    “Even after just two lessons one has the feeling of entering a new world, looking behind the facade of a good actor and beginning to better understand the art of acting. Professionalism and humor coupled with years of international stage experience makes Cary Rick a sought after teacher and director.”
    Katya Buser
    Basel
 

Coaching for Actors

130CHF

60 Mins - By Individual Appointment

Actors who are confronted with a stylistic problem while they are preparing a role or with body movement in general can book a coaching session with Cary Rick.

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New workshop dates to be announced in early 2018

Acting For Children

60CHF

Sat, 26th August 2017
10:00-12:00

The workshops for children emphasize imagination, improvisation and social skills.
Based on the natural phenomenon of play, the children spontaneously imagine themselves in certain situations or surroundings and evolve and interact with each other subjectively in ways they feel are relevant to the setting or theme in question.

Within these acting attempts in class children must also adapt themselves to the ideas and imaginative efforts of others. This playful practice encourages not only self confidence but also teamwork.

Acting For Teenagers

75CHF

Weds, 13 September 2017
18:00-20:30

Working on scenes offers teenagers a chance to test their views in confrontation with others. Improvised role-play promotes heightened awareness and strengthens self-confidence.
Participation in a group of individual peers each working subjectively toward a common goal can promote new insights, ideas and encourage tolerance.

Aside from movement and vocal techniques acting skills require the discipline of concentration. Being able to focus and practice a skill has a clarifying and structuring emotional effect and promotes useful work ethics..

Acting For Adults

90CHF

Sat, 26th August 2017
14:00-17:00

The workshops for adults offer a glimpse of skills relating to the acting craft.

Beyond the benefits of improvisational and presentation skills scenic role-play can also enhance self-understanding.

Working through an idea in a group in a brief time is a constructive way of deepening one’s understanding of others in an enjoyable setting and gaining self confidence too.