Summer Drama Institute

Workshop Descriptions

Scenic Painting with Curtis Phillips
June 18–22

Learn the newest techniques in Scenic Painting that anyone can master. This interactive course will explore realistic scenic painting, abstract representations and unique effects that will make your next production even better. All activities are hands-on and students can expect to leave the week with all necessary tools and materials to get them started.  $50 materials fee applies in addition to workshop registration fee to cover the cost of paint, brushes, Masonite and Luan boards, canvas, markers, charcoal and all other necessary supplies needed to complete in-class projects. The materials are kept by each student.

Curtis Phillips received an MFA in scenic design from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. His professional theatrical design credits include produced designs for Off-Off Broadway for The Mint Theatre Company and the American Globe as well as Off Broadway for the Signature Theatre, Musical Theatre Works and Manhattan Class Company in New York City. Curtis is currently a professor/set designer in the Department of Theatre at University of Minnesota, Duluth.

 

The Mirror Up To Nature: Exploring Diversity & Other Issues through Drama with Terry Greiss
June 25-29

Administrators, counselors and teachers will return to their schools with effective and inspirational tools to address the challenges our young people face every day. Learn how to engage students to discover their collective opinion on an issue, take action through improvisation and actively address issues relevant to the school, student and community including violence, peer pressure, gender tolerance and much more.

Terry Greiss is an actor, director and co-founder of NYC's Irondale Ensemble Project. He has led hundreds of workshops for students and trained teachers of the New York City public schools in using theater as a classroom and social skill building tool.  Terry is also president of the Network of Ensemble Theaters, a national consortium of artist-driven permanent theater ensembles. He teaches Ensemble Acting at the New School's Eugene Lang College. Terry currently devotes most of his energy to the creation of the Irondale Center for Theater, Education and Outreach in the BAM Cultural District in Brooklyn, NY.

 

Making It Up: Devising Original Performance Material with Students with Joan Lazarus
July 9-13

Ever struggled to find just the right play for your diverse group of students? Ever want to present work that allows students a voice in the ideas shared with audiences? Then this class is for you. Drawing on interactive devising strategies used in the U.S. and abroad, participants will learn how to help students improvise, write and create innovative original performances about subjects of interest to them. From adaptation or creation of structure, text, characters and action to refinement and staging considerations, this class will be of value to novice and experienced teachers and directors.

Joan Lazarus is a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas at Austin where she heads the BFA Theatre Studies program for pre-service teachers and works with graduate students in youth theatre, theatre education and related fields. In addition to teaching, Joan has directed numerous scripted and original pieces and served on a number of national and regional boards and advisory committees. Joan taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1982-1997 where she became a lifetime Fellow in their Teaching Academy. She has served as President of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) and as Co-Chair of the AATE Think Tank on Education of Teachers of Theatre. Joan also served as Wisconsin Statewide Youth Theatre Specialist, Director of the National Conference of Youth Theatre Directors and Director of the UW Drama Institute. Her newest book, Signs of Change: New Directions in Secondary Theatre Education, is published by Heinemann.

 

 

 

Also of interest:

Learning through the Arts at School of the Arts at Rhinelander

Learning through the Arts with Robin Mello
July 23–27 (held in conjunction with School of the Arts at Rhinelander)

Explore various ways to create a class setting which encourages equal participation by all, respect for differences, self-reflection, and collaborative learning. Through applied integrated activities, we will investigate how the arts are effectively used to teach and learn. Participants will involve themselves in a number of projects and by creating art, examining process and practice, and by reflecting on the work of self and others to arrive at a deeper understanding of the holistic powerful role that art can and does play in their lives.

Robin Mello, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor within the Department of Theatre at the Peck School of the Arts where she oversees the K-12 Theatre Education Program for teacher certification. She has traveled nationally and internationally as an NEA/MTA performing artist--some of her better known venues are: Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, La Scalla, Hudson River Revival Folk Festival, and "Tell Me A Tale" television show (ABC). She has also taught for the Creative Arts and Learning Program at Lesley University and produced original works for the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Boston Museum of Science, among others.

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To receive a Free Brochure,
Call: The Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts
608-265-8041. (Call 608/262-2451 to enroll)
Write: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Summer Drama Institute, 610 Langdon St. #722, Madison, WI 53703
Or e-mail your SDI inquiry