Improvisation for the Actor

Tuesdays, 7-10 PM
N ext class TBA, Fall 2010 (8 weeks)
Fee: $150

Instructor: J Chachula

A solid introduction to the art of acting as improvisation. But don’t let the word “intro” fool you. This is a good class for experienced actors as well as the beginner. Particularly anyone intimidated by improvisation. It’s not a class about telling jokes or being clever, but about living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Considerable attention is also paid to the exploration and expression of personal truth. That is, each student's own unique point of view and the things that are personally meaningful to them.

We all go through life improvisationally; that is, we don’t really know what’s going to happen next. We prepare as best we can for what we think might happen, or what we expect to happen, and then we deal with what actually happens. The same thing is true on stage. Most actors depend on knowing exactly what their acting partners will do in any given moment. They may be irritated or even furious when their partner says a line differently, or behaves in any way impulsively, even within the boundaries set by the director.

I want to train actors to relish the unexpected, to embrace the off-balance moment. The truth is, even when a work is scripted, when you’re really acting, it’s always improvisation.

For anyone who has had Meisner training, this class supports those underlying principles: really doing whatever it is you’re doing, putting your attention on your partner, and accepting and responding to what’s actually happening in the moment. You don't need Meisner training to take the class, though!

As in all Flying Machine classes, you can expect a fun, challenging, positive, supportive atmosphere.

We’ll meet once a week, there is no required rehearsal outside class.

Questions? Call J at 919-954-8847.

If you’re interested, please send an email to wachula5@yahoo.com, request a registration form and return via email. Or if you prefer, mail to: Flying Machine, 613 Thistlegate Tr., Raleigh, NC 27610.

* Dates and times may change

Note: Improvisation for the Actor demands a certain level of maturity and as such is not a class for children. Teens (at least 16 years old) interested in the class will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Youth Theatre classes in the Triangle:
Raleigh Little Theatre
The Artscenter (Carrboro)
MovieMakers (Durham)
North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre
Young People's Performing Company (Durham)
Stars Youth Theater (Holly Springs)