CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
MONOLOGUE AUDITION
Learn to refine the art of auditioning with monologues. Each student will perform a monologue, receive feedback and one-on-one instruction, and perform the monologue again. Learn to present yourself, act through the text, and work within a 60-second audition time slot. Monologues should be memorized before the workshop. Please bring two copies of the text to class. A selection of monologues will be provided, or students may choose their own.
(Maximum 5 students per session)
Contemporary Monologues: post 1900s
Grades 7–12 (Wednesday) Sept. 30 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturday) Oct. 3 | 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Classical Monologues: prior to 1900s
Grades 7–12 (Wednesday) Oct. 21 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturday) Oct. 24 | 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
IMPROVISATION
Looking to improve on your improv? This workshop will go over the basics of successful improv and common mistakes to avoid. Improv is best learned by doing, so all topics will be explored through acting exercises and theater games. Wear attire you can move in. (Maximum 10 students per session)
Grades 5–6 (Thursdays) Oct. 22, Nov. 5 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades 7–12 (Monday) Oct. 19 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturdays) Oct. 10 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Nov. 7 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
STORYTELLING THROUGH MOVEMENT
Stories exist in so many ways! Explore movement-based storytelling, with an emphasis on expressing emotions, ideas and plots through movement-first acting. This class is an introductory exploration of physical storytelling suitable for theater novices and experts. Wear attire you can move in. (Maximum 10 students per session)
Fairy Tales: explore physical storytelling through fairy tales
Grades 5–6 (Tuesday) Oct. 27 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades 7–8 (Tuesday) Oct. 27 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Devised Pieces: explore feelings or moments through movement, creating a story without words
Grade 9–Adult (Saturday) Oct. 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
INSTRUCTORS
Rachel Ballasy is a dynamic performer, director, and choreographer whose talents have been on display from the midway to the main stage. She also flexes her vocal chops with the harmonious confection, The Sugartones.
Rebecca Degnan is one of the founders of Blue Fire Stage Company. She is the founder/director of Shoreline Singers, and teaches (virtual) voice lessons from her home studio. Rebecca graduated from Hartt School of Music and received her Master’s of Counseling from CCSU.
Johanna Regan Milani is a seasoned actor, singer, and director based out of CT, having performed across the state with numerous companies. She has a true passion for theater education and is thrilled to be teaching with Blue Fire this fall. Johanna has her BA in musical theater from Ashland University, and her MAT in Education from CCSU.
Henry Tobelman is a charismatic actor and musician, and has been performing since the age of twelve. He has performed with many local theater groups, and taught guitar at School of Rock in Madison.
THEATER GAMES FOR YOUNG ACTORS
Explore theater in a fun way! Learn important acting skills, have fun and act silly through playful theater games. This workshop is suitable for all actors, especially novices. Learn to express yourself dynamically, watch and react to your scene partners, and wake up your love for theater. Wear attire you can move in. (Maximum 10 students per session)
Grades 5–6 (Wednesdays) | Oct. 14, Oct. 21 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades 7–8 (Monday) Oct. 19 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Wednesday) Nov. 4 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
BUILDING A CHARACTER
Creating a convincing character isn’t as easy as it looks! Learn a step-by-step process for character creation. Explore analyzing a well-known character, and breaking down what makes that character unique—focusing on movement, speech, and habits. Students work towards creating an original character on paper, and in class (time permitting). Please bring paper and pencil, no memorized materials required. (Maximum 7 students per session)
Grades 7–12 (Thursdays) Oct. 22, Nov. 5 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturdays) Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Oct. 31 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
COLD READ AUDITION
Hone your ability to perform cold reads at auditions. Each student will perform a cold reading in front of the group, receive constructive feedback, and discuss ways to improve this skill. This workshop will focus on presentation of the piece, how to search for context clues, and other tips and tricks to help master the art of cold reads at auditions. No materials are required in preparation of this class. (Maximum 10 students per session)
Grades 7 – 12 (Wednesdays) Oct. 14, Nov. 4 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9 – Adult (Saturdays) Oct. 17, Nov. 7 | 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
MUSICAL THEATER SONG AUDITION
Learn a broad overview of how to audition for musical theater. Each student will perform a song, receive feedback and one-on-one instruction, and perform the song again. Students will learn how to select appropriate audition music, choose the proper cut of a song, discover how the music informs their acting decisions, and work within a
60-second audition time slot. Songs should be memorized before the workshop. Please bring two copies of the sheet music to class. A selection of songs will be provided, or students may choose their own. (Maximum 5 students per session)
Contemporary Audition Songs: musicals after 1970
Grades 5–6 (Wednesday) Oct. 7 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades 7–12 (Wednesday) Oct. 7 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturday) Oct. 10 | 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Classical Audition Songs: musicals prior to 1970
Grades 5–6 (Monday) Oct. 26 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades 7–12 (Monday) Oct. 26 | 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Grade 9–Adult (Saturday) Oct. 31 | 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.