Adult Workshops

Do something fun for yourself! Our teachers are local working actors, directors, and musical directors, and we are thrilled to have them at Asheville Community Theatre. This season, we are offering Workshops and One-Day Intensives. All Workshop classes meet once a week for four or six weeks at Asheville Community Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Asheville. Workshops are $85 for a four week course or $125 for a six week course. One-Day Intensives will meet on Saturdays. These are 4 hour sessions geared towards specific interests. Cost for any One-Day Intensive is $40.

50% of the tuition for each Workshop or Intensive is due as a non-refundable deposit at the time of registration with the remaining balance due on the first day of class. Class size is limited to ensure a high quality of instruction.

A class for adults that explores the basics of acting. Level of experience is unimportant. Personal investment, story telling, emotional and physical awareness, theatre games, improv and monologue work will be explored. This is a great class for expanding your horizons, both personally and as a performer.

Fall session: First class - Monday, October 6, 2008; Last class - Monday, November 10, 2008

Summer session: First class - Wednesday, June 10, 2009; Last class - Wednesday, July 15, 2009

In this class, emphasis is on improvisation and movement rather than text, freeing you to explore and experiment. Recognizing that movement, gesture, and visual impact are integral in making theatre accessible on a cross-cultural basis, actors will work towards a final performance which will be developed through collaboration. Level of experience is unimportant for this avant garde acting and performance style.

Summer session: First class - Tuesday, June 9, 2009; Last class - Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Have you ever listened to a radio or television commercial and said, “I could do that!” Well, here's your chance. Learn voice over techniques for announcers and real people for solo or interactive spots through actual hands-on training. We'll supply the copy and the mike – you put on the headphones, and you're on your way! Also, find out a little about the business side of voice over and the avenues available.

Fall session: First class - Wednesday, October 8, 2008; Last class - Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Summer session: First class - Monday, June 8, 2009; Last class - Monday, June 29, 2009

For the more experienced actor who wants to hone his or her craft. We'll concentrate on building and developing a character through a comparative analysis of motivation, desire and behavior. Previous acting or workshop experience required.

Fall session: First class - Tuesday, October 7, 2008; Last class - Tuesday, November 11, 2008

For any level of actor, the art of improvisation is a necessary tool. This class will teach you the rules of improv through games and exercises. In this fast-paced and fun class, you'll create scenes and characters on the fly.

Just gotten into the business and need that voice over confidence? Working towards a demo or have a demo, but need some practice? Took Ida's Intro to Voice Over class and wondered if there would be a follow-up? Well, this is it! Lots of copy, lots of voicing, lots of fun! Intermediate level (experienced actors welcome). Bring a blank cassette, a CD-R and a bag lunch.

For even the most experienced performers, auditioning can be a nerve-wracking event. This class will demystify the audition process as you learn how best to prepare for that all-important audition. If you have a monologue prepared, bring it along - otherwise, we'll work with cold reading materials. You'll also receive specific feedback and individualized instruction as to how to strengthen your overall performance.

Tom Chalmers is the former artistic director of NYC's Gotham City Improv/Groundlings East. He has taught comedy writing and performance for many years and his former students have gone on to write for Saturday Night Live and Sex in the City and appear on Friends, Seinfeld and Reno 911. A graduate of Columbia University, Tom has studied with the Groundlings, Second City and comedy icon Del Close. He has written for Showtime, TBS and the USA Network.

Ida Ginn is an actress and voice talent and has taught acting for ACT for several years. She also works as a private audition and voice over coach. Her many onstage appearances include performances at ACT, SART and with Bittersweet Productions. Many of Ida’s students have gone on to audition locally and have been cast in community and professional roles.

Michael MacCauley has been a professional actor, director, writer, and producer for the past 18 years. His acting credits include several off-Broadway productions, a national tour with John Houseman’s The Acting Company, a dozen world premieres, guest artist at various regional theatres including Florida Stage, Studio Arena, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Indiana Repertory Theatre and others. He recently directed Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing for ACT.

Ashleigh Millet is a recent graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University in Cheshire, England. A native of Asheville, Ashleigh recently was the assistant director for The Little Dog Laughed and Misery, and has been seen both onstage and behind the scenes for many shows at both Asheville Community Theatre and Haywood Arts Repertory Theatre.

Jane Porterfield has directed or assisted in the directing for productions at North Carolina Stage Company, Hendersonville Little Theatre and the YouTheatre program at Flat Rock Playhouse. In addition to teaching at ACT, she teaches at Flat Rock Playhouse and the Asheville Arts Center. Jane has appeared on stage and in commercials and has a degree in theatre from the University of Georgia.

For additional information please contact Jenny Bunn at:
(828) 254-2939 x21
35 East Walnut Street
Asheville, NC 28801-2909
Or, e-mail her at: jenny@ashevilletheatre.org