Congratulations! Both casts performed twice to full houses. The energy of the group was sky high all day long. All deserve to commended for wonderful performances. Congrations again!
The following are excerpts from student feedback forms:
Before coming here I didn’t really have a goal. My focuses were not on things that would improve my life. Coming to this program made me realize if I set my mind on something I want and work hard for it I can achieve way more than I thought. It has put more fuel on pursuing my career in acting and the adrenaline rush of getting into a character I absolutely love. I’ve made friends that have the same passion as I do. Teachers that I thought would be snobby know it alls that think low of us because we couldn’t afford classes. To teachers who I could see are very passionate about acting and the beauty of this great art. This program has kept me out of A LOT of trouble and has let me mature and grow. I would never have thought there was ever a free acting program like this but I am sure glad I came. All good things come to an end, but for me I’ll make sure it never does. – Camila
I learned a great deal since beginning…This program is my first brush with the acting world. It’s what I call my primary acting experience – Yaya
The Summer Shakespeare program was a big experience and a challenge for me. At the beginning of the program I was a little shy but I got to know the people and learn more and more about acting. Now I have new friends that I learned from and shared with. – Erick
While at the Summer Outreach of Stella Adler I came to appreciate the worth of craft for actors. I learned that being an actor or actress is more than what you see it as, more than about you. It’s about serving the people… - Lee
I came to this program not knowing anything about anything when it came to acting. I think I have grown so much. Before I came to this program I was an irresponsible fifteen-year-old looking for something to do for the summer. I’m still an irresponsible fifteen-year-old, but now I’m also a grateful one. – Jamaal
Stella Adler has helped me grow…I have met so many great people that I will forever remember. This program has been the best thing that happened to me…These five weeks have given me the opportunity to grown not only as an actor but as a human being also. – Isaac
There are so many little things I didn’t know: like the way you stand, the way you breathe. These things have a great affect on how you are as an actor. I learned how to present myself to the world. – Andy
Stella Adler Studio of Acting has changed me both as an actor and a person. I started this program with the hopes of bettering myself. The talent that surrounds you is amazing and overwhelming. Just knowing that others have the same talent and passion is incredible….I love Shakespeare! – Tori
I deeply want to thank (everyone) who helped to create a carefree acting environment so that everyone can feel comfortable doing what they love…Being that this program began with exercises helping to discover one’s self, I have learned that he who chases their dream must do so without a care…Thank you for giving me the opportunity to find myself… - Daysha
Being accepted to Stella Adler has been a wonderful experience…it has given me the confidence to go for what I want. – Krystal
I started the Stella Adler Studio of Acting with curiosity. I questioned myself as if I should really go through with this…I began the program as a shy but willing student. Ending the program I can say that I am no longer shy, but, of course, I am still willing. Willing to do more because I am no longer shy. – Jabari
The things I have learned over the past five weeks cannot be explained. I have exploded out of my thick protective shell which I had since I was very young. The program changed my life drastically. I have made friends and for the first time I have done what I always dreamed of doing…Before I came here I didn’t see myself with an opportunity to be someone. But now I actually see myself as something or someone in the future. Even if this is only the start. – Nicole
It was the happiest July of my life. I was acting every day except weekends. I was having a lot of fun. I grew a lot and changed because of this program…In the beginning I was a little shy but nor I am open. – Paul
I learned so much in only a month. I was taught about William Shakespeare; I never knew how deep the language was and now I understand why he is considered one of the greatest playwrights….This program meant a lot to me because I have not had any art class since elementary school. I am grateful for this opportunity. – Anthony
I have gained a lot from this program over the past five weeks. Before starting here at Stella Adler, I’ve always had problems interacting with others as I’m a very creative and dramatic person. Coming here I’m surrounded with like-minded individuals I’m proud to call my friends. I’ve found myself a community of driven teens who aren’t afraid to be silly or dramatic. I’m always going to remember Stella Adler and all the special people I’ve met who I consider my Acting family. – Joeline
From Stella Adler I learned a lot…It has proved that maybe one day I can become something bigger and achieve bigger goals. At the beginning of Stella I was doubtful about myself. Now I know that deep down nothing is too hard to accomplish down the road. – David
I learned to connect fully to the character I am playing. The character you play needs to become a fully developed person in your mind in order for you to connect with them. I also learned how simple words can become a full scene if you use your body to its fullest potential. This program meant everything to me and I would love to return. I have grown so much in the program. Before the program I always thought too much body movement or a loud voice is too much sometimes and I was afraid to express myself….I’m not afraid to get in front of a group of people like I was before. Thank you so much for allowing me to open up and find myself. – Amanda
Being in this program taught me a lot…Before this program I was stuck in my ways…I have allowed myself to change by opening up to this experience. – Josh
This program taught me that hard work really pays off. – Alec
This experience means the world to me…I’ve gained confidence to get on stage and act freely and give it my all. When I first started this program I was scared and shy and very nervous to get up in front of my peers. But I’ve gotten comfortable with myself and the stage and I love going up there and acting. I love every moment of it. – Yainis
I’ve learned how to let go and not to judge myself. – Bianca
Beyond my growth as an actor I’ve taken on skills that will help me later on in life. I’ve learned how to focus and block everything out to achieve my immediate goal – a lesion that my scatter-brain needed a long time ago. This five-week program has made me more open to new ideas, new people and new experiences and I am so glad I did it. - Razghiem
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Forty Hours Left and Counting Down!
With only one rehearsal remaining until the performance, the heat is turning up! Carlos, Tom and Nina worked individually with cast members on text rehearsals, refining and clarifying ideas with each actor. Tom introduced new sound and light cues to which the actors had to immediately adjust. Steve implemented a fight call before each rehearsal, running through the movement at half the time it takes in the actual show. Chris served as fight assistant and ran the fight calls with humble expertise. Actors were asked to wear simple black clothing that will serve as costumes to every rehearsal this week.
The show continues to get tighter, but the team is pushing for more improvement. It is very possible at this stage of the work to continue to layer in more details. Tom encouraged the cast to begin to play within the form, to improvise, to have fun and participate whole-heartedly the way children do. With just a little over 40 hours until the opening, actors continue to work intensively in preparation to share their Romeo and Juliet with an audience.
The show continues to get tighter, but the team is pushing for more improvement. It is very possible at this stage of the work to continue to layer in more details. Tom encouraged the cast to begin to play within the form, to improvise, to have fun and participate whole-heartedly the way children do. With just a little over 40 hours until the opening, actors continue to work intensively in preparation to share their Romeo and Juliet with an audience.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Theater is a matter of life and death!
In the fourth week of rehearsal, the intensity was turned up! Carlos demanded energy and engagement from the student-actors; Steve White pursued precision and truth, Steve Cook contributed passion and love and Tom delved into conflict and desire in life-and-death circumstances.
Carlos gave a class on energy. When an actor is actively engaged with the things they want in the play, it is easier for the audience to be engaged. Carlos led the groups through a series of exercises that demonstrated how interesting and compelling an actor is when he or she is energized, engaged and pursuing objectives. On the flip side, the exercises also showed how easily the audience looses attention when the actor is merely reciting lines, or speaking without intention.
Steve White continued to refine stage fights and there are MANY fights in R&J! Steve Cook choreographed the dance at the Capulet’s party. The dance is set to tango music, one of Steve’s many specialties.
Tom worked through the play in pursuit of depth. He pushed actors to illustrate and highlight tension, action, drama and change. In Tom’s words, “the audience only understands change.” Without tension, drama, action and change a play is flat, uninteresting, and, in short, boring. The actors found conflict and change in places that surprised many of them. When an actor was successful at making a choice that highlighted conflict, the result was thrilling.
While the play is coming together, there is still a lot of ground to cover before the performance on August 6th (just one week from today!). In the final week of rehearsal the student actors will have to work harder than ever to perfect their lines, pursue their objectives, connect with their partners, make interesting choices. The task becomes 24/7 and everyone will have to keep working all day long - before they get to rehearsal, after they leave, while they’re on the train, drifting off to sleep – there is always time to work and grow! True artists are often obsessed with their work, drilling, thinking, doing, experimenting constantly. This last week will show who is up for the task…
Carlos gave a class on energy. When an actor is actively engaged with the things they want in the play, it is easier for the audience to be engaged. Carlos led the groups through a series of exercises that demonstrated how interesting and compelling an actor is when he or she is energized, engaged and pursuing objectives. On the flip side, the exercises also showed how easily the audience looses attention when the actor is merely reciting lines, or speaking without intention.
Steve White continued to refine stage fights and there are MANY fights in R&J! Steve Cook choreographed the dance at the Capulet’s party. The dance is set to tango music, one of Steve’s many specialties.
Tom worked through the play in pursuit of depth. He pushed actors to illustrate and highlight tension, action, drama and change. In Tom’s words, “the audience only understands change.” Without tension, drama, action and change a play is flat, uninteresting, and, in short, boring. The actors found conflict and change in places that surprised many of them. When an actor was successful at making a choice that highlighted conflict, the result was thrilling.
While the play is coming together, there is still a lot of ground to cover before the performance on August 6th (just one week from today!). In the final week of rehearsal the student actors will have to work harder than ever to perfect their lines, pursue their objectives, connect with their partners, make interesting choices. The task becomes 24/7 and everyone will have to keep working all day long - before they get to rehearsal, after they leave, while they’re on the train, drifting off to sleep – there is always time to work and grow! True artists are often obsessed with their work, drilling, thinking, doing, experimenting constantly. This last week will show who is up for the task…
Monday, July 26, 2010
Details, Details, and More Details
By the beginning of the third week of training, nearly the entire play was blocked. Tom moved at lightning speed to give the play an onstage shape. While Tom was out of New York, fight director Steve White choreographed the (many!) fights in the play. After some deliberation and consultation with Steve, Tom decided that the fights should be fist fights and not sword fights which require more advanced skill and practice. Steve White taught the cast the foundation of fisticuffs. He reviewed the physical movements that are most commonly used and talked about justifying the movements to make them believable. Then he worked through the scenes that required fighting and gave the actors minutely detailed choreography. Carlos worked with the cast on language comprehension, continuing to break down the details of the story and the objectives of the characters.
The length of this program requires student actors to adapt to and adopt new skills immediately. In physical acting there is a focus on 1) finding a neutral place in the body and 2) using the body to tell the story. In Voice and Speech students are encouraged to 1) produce sound that is supported by breath, 2) speak with clarity and 3) find a relationship between thought, word and speech. Scene Study class incororates lessons from all other classes while helping students to 1) understand the story, 2) portray character development through the pursuit of an objective, 3) block the scenes and 4) make the Shakespearean text vivid and immediate. Improvisation supports this work with a focus on 1) finding freedom and relaxation and 2) finding size through games and exercises.
One word that summarizes the third week of training is DETAILS. The student actors are learning that, while memorizing lines is an essential part of their work, it is only the very beginning of their work. A well-crafted performance is deeply detailed - physically, emotionally, imaginatively, spiritually, intellectually detailed. In the coming weeks even more specific character work will be done. The cast will continue to find specificity in thought, speech and action.
The length of this program requires student actors to adapt to and adopt new skills immediately. In physical acting there is a focus on 1) finding a neutral place in the body and 2) using the body to tell the story. In Voice and Speech students are encouraged to 1) produce sound that is supported by breath, 2) speak with clarity and 3) find a relationship between thought, word and speech. Scene Study class incororates lessons from all other classes while helping students to 1) understand the story, 2) portray character development through the pursuit of an objective, 3) block the scenes and 4) make the Shakespearean text vivid and immediate. Improvisation supports this work with a focus on 1) finding freedom and relaxation and 2) finding size through games and exercises.
One word that summarizes the third week of training is DETAILS. The student actors are learning that, while memorizing lines is an essential part of their work, it is only the very beginning of their work. A well-crafted performance is deeply detailed - physically, emotionally, imaginatively, spiritually, intellectually detailed. In the coming weeks even more specific character work will be done. The cast will continue to find specificity in thought, speech and action.
Friday, July 16, 2010
'Zounds!
In the first week of classes the students in the Summer Shakespeare program received an actor-training crash course! The bar was set high and the actors rose to the occasion: Carlos demanded professional behavior and an atmosphere of openness, acceptance, and experimentation; Mike launched into voice and speech exercises and assigned the memorization of the Romeo and Juliet prologue to be ready by the fifth day of class. On Friday, July 9th the two groups met each other for the first time and had class together.
In the second week of class Tom, who is directing the play, began to work with the actors. They read the play several times for understanding, meaning and clarity. Student-actors were assigned roles to read and half way through they were asked to switch and read another role. Many students were surprised with the forcefulness and strength of the language, having anticipated only beautiful, flowery poetry. They were particularly amazed at the bawdiness of Shakespeare’s language. ‘Zounds! Later in the week Tom began to block the play, working with the actors to determine their entrances and exits and other movements on stage.
This week we want to know what the student-actors are learning about Shakespeare? What is being revealed to them about his plays and his language? At the beginning of the program what did they expect to learn about Shakespeare and how has that changed after the second week? Do they think Shakespeare is relevant to their lives? Any other thoughts about the Bard? Or on what they are learning in general? We want to know! Please comment below.
In the second week of class Tom, who is directing the play, began to work with the actors. They read the play several times for understanding, meaning and clarity. Student-actors were assigned roles to read and half way through they were asked to switch and read another role. Many students were surprised with the forcefulness and strength of the language, having anticipated only beautiful, flowery poetry. They were particularly amazed at the bawdiness of Shakespeare’s language. ‘Zounds! Later in the week Tom began to block the play, working with the actors to determine their entrances and exits and other movements on stage.
This week we want to know what the student-actors are learning about Shakespeare? What is being revealed to them about his plays and his language? At the beginning of the program what did they expect to learn about Shakespeare and how has that changed after the second week? Do they think Shakespeare is relevant to their lives? Any other thoughts about the Bard? Or on what they are learning in general? We want to know! Please comment below.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Congratulations!
The Stella Adler Outreach Division provides free actor training to inner-city youth. In May the Stella Adler Studio of Acting started recruitment for the Outreach Division’s Summer Shakespeare program. In an effort to make access to this free program as democratic as possible, the Studio reaches far and wide into the New York City community to spread the word. With only 22 spots available for NYC teens and an extensive outreach process, every year the program gains more applicants and entry becomes more competitive.
This year there was a record number of 65 student applicants! As Director of Outreach Carlos Caldart pointed out, “All of the applicants deserve to be commended for their courage to call, come for an interview and return for an audition.” Congratulations to all of those who were accepted and to those who had the courage to apply!
Classes started on Tuesday, July 6th. Summer Shakespeare is an intensive program that requires the quick understanding and execution of new skills. Students are in the rehearsal hall for 50 hours over five weeks in July and August. While studying Voice and Speech, Physical Acting, Improvisation and Scene Study they are also rehearsing a Shakespeare play. At the end of the five weeks, students will perform the play to live audiences. They have their work cut out for them this summer!
The 2010 Summer Shakespeare ensemble hail from all five boroughs of New York City. This blog is devoted to tracking their growth and progress. Students are especially encouraged to leave comments describing their experience in the program. Please check in on a weekly basis to see what the 2010 Summer Shakespeare ensemble is up to!
This year there was a record number of 65 student applicants! As Director of Outreach Carlos Caldart pointed out, “All of the applicants deserve to be commended for their courage to call, come for an interview and return for an audition.” Congratulations to all of those who were accepted and to those who had the courage to apply!
Classes started on Tuesday, July 6th. Summer Shakespeare is an intensive program that requires the quick understanding and execution of new skills. Students are in the rehearsal hall for 50 hours over five weeks in July and August. While studying Voice and Speech, Physical Acting, Improvisation and Scene Study they are also rehearsing a Shakespeare play. At the end of the five weeks, students will perform the play to live audiences. They have their work cut out for them this summer!
The 2010 Summer Shakespeare ensemble hail from all five boroughs of New York City. This blog is devoted to tracking their growth and progress. Students are especially encouraged to leave comments describing their experience in the program. Please check in on a weekly basis to see what the 2010 Summer Shakespeare ensemble is up to!
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