ACTING WORKSHOP
WITH JONATHAN B. WRIGHT

HIGH SCHOOL ACTORS WORKSHOP with Jonathan B. Wright

This class will focus on script analysis and developing basic acting technique. Students will gain a clear grasp of the actor’s role in the broader creative journey and understand what it takes to build the world of a play/film/audition, both inside the rehearsal room and beyond it. The class emphasizes establishing a solid personal foundation and a practical, reliable approach to rehearsal and performance.
They will learn to honor the playwright’s intentions, inhabit the given circumstances, and thoughtfully evaluate their own work. The course also focuses on recognizing and overcoming personal blocks. Scenes are assigned intentionally and may include anything from Shakespeare to modern writers.
For students new to the class, we ask that they prepare one short contemporary monologue (1-2 minutes).

Preparation For Scene Work
*Movement: only get up and move around if your character is obligated by the text [ie: open a door, etc.] or you are so motivated by what's happening between the two of you that your body reacts to that.
*Wear clothing, hair-dos, jewelry, etc. that will make you feel like the character & that will help your partner see you as that character.
*Bring and use personal props you need for the scene [no mime!].


THE TEN POINTS- Basic Acting Theory & How We Talk About it in Class
After reading the script, answer these questions about your character:
1) Who am I? 
2) Where am I? 
3) What time is it?
4) Who's around me? 
5) What's around me?
6) What are the given circumstances? 
7) What do I want? 
8) What's in my way? 
9) How do I go about getting what I want?
10) Why?

The criteria for all of the above: does it cause an impulse and send me into action?