ACTORS LAB News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Actors Lab announces a new program of workshops for theater professionals and aspiring theater professionals, with an added bonus of a Camera Acting Workshop taught by Robert Benedetti. 

As Emily Rankin, NMAL’s Artistic Director, says: “Step into our Laboratory! At the Actors Lab, we believe in the power of experimentation and exploration. We nurture and develop lifelong learning through the lens of theatrical storytelling, teaching students of all ages. We value the imagination, creativity, and empathy that the artform of theatre provides.”

All classes will be held at the Actors Lab. Prices are intentionally low in order to support and encourage participation by any and all interested in expanding their knowledge base or learning something new. 

• “Introduction to Physical Theatre” – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 30, $35. Instructor: Clara Kundin, an Assistant Professor at Eastern New Mexico University. Her workshop will introduce participants to two key physical theatre methods: Viewpoints and Lecoq technique. French theatre artist Jacques Lecoq’s training method is grounded in embodiment, mime, and improvisation. The Viewpoints were originally developed by choreographer Mary Overlie and popularized by director Anne Bogart. Viewpoints provides a language for physical movement that breaks down the elements of the stage into simple, identifiable parts. After practicing the basics of each method, participants will use the combined techniques to devise short, physical theatre compositions.
• “Stage Management” –  5-7 p.m., June 16-17, $35. Instructor: Stephanie Delk, an award winning stage manager. This workshop is an introduction to stage management, taking students through the process of stage managing a production, from pre-production to rehearsal to performance and strike, and discussing what makes a successful stage manager. (An aside: Santa Fe theaters are regularly competing for stage managers. This class will begin the process of filling a much needed hole and open the door to potentially mentoring participants who show interest and promise.)
• “Table Work for Directors” – Aug. 14-16, 6-8pm, $35. Instructor: Wendy Chapin, long time and respected director and acting teacher/coach in Santa Fe. Directors and actors need to understand and relate personally to the story that they will be telling together. This is where tablework for the first few rehearsals can be very helpful for directors and actors. Tablework involves slowly reading the script and discussing what is happening with all characters as you move through the play so that actors understand how their character will function as part of the main action both thematically and personally.
• “SOHYP Movement” – Sept. 5, 10am to 1pm, $35. Instructor: Danielle Reddick, MFA, long time actor and movement teacher. The SoHyp Experience is an imaginative dive into the body with the intention to enhance movement awareness: the relationship of thought and the body. This practice is for anyone with any range of movement. No experience required. Chairs, music and floor provided!
• “Unarmed Fight: Acting & Directing a Fight Scene” – Sept. 12, 10am to 4pm, $35. Instructor: Aaron Black, working actor and stage fighter. This workshop is about making the fight a moment that the audience looks forward to. And interestingly, it’s not necessarily about actors having to be expert fighters. It’s about realizing that the fight is part of the role, that actors must create standards for themselves around acting a good fight in order to keep the audience engaged, to not let the play lag at the fight. And to do that, it’s crucial to understand the elements of creating a good fight scene. This workshop is for actors, directors, and stage managers.
• “Technical Theatre Workshop” –  Sept. 19, 10am to 4pm, $35. Instructor: Matt Sanford, production specialist, actor, and artist. An introduction to technical theatre, taking students through the various design positions that help bring a show to life and the process of designing a production, from pre-production to rehearsal to performance and strike.
• “Camera Acting” – Nov. 7, 10am to 1pm, 2-5pm, $100, Instructor: Robert Benedetti, NMAL’s founder, theater-maker, film-maker. This participatory workshop will explore methods for acting for the camera; how and why scenes flow and are shaped, and how the actor can best experience and contribute to the life of the scene by making effective choices that resonate on camera and serve to move the scene forward. 

Those aged 15 and over, please, may reserve space for all classes under the workshop name on tix.com

For further information on instructors, visit https://www.nmactorslab.com/education.