Old Town Playhouse - ACTING CLASSES FOR ADULTS

We are very excited to begin to offer a series of acting classes for our members, and other interested parties. If you want to explore the craft of theatre this is the place to begin.

Classes begin January 17th.
They will meet twice per week for 8 weeks.
Cost: $15/week ($120)

Acting Craft and Scene Study
Place: OTP
Time: evenings-Weekdays Afternoon-Weekends, twice a week (Schedule TBA)
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor: Laura Mittelstaedt (resume below)
Offered to: Ages 19 and up
Class Size: maximum 10-12 students

Summary:
This class will give an introduction to the acting process.  No previous experience is required.   Improv partner work will be used to develop acting vocabulary, and cultivate awareness of impulse, response, and action.  Students will progress to scenes pulled from contemporary plays, culminating in a fully produced student showcase performance open to the public.

Goals:

• develop an understanding and appreciation for the commitment and discipline that acting requires.
• use self simply and honestly in relation to the partner and the script.
• make active, positive choices in pursuit of an objective as determined by the needs of a character.
• identify actor strengths, habits, and idiosyncrasies.
• introduce specific technique as befitting the individual actor.
• demonstrate in each class focus, inventiveness, and courage.

TEACHING ARTIST PROFILE - Laura Mittelstaedt

Interlochen Arts Camp at Interlochen Centre for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan

June-August 2007

Theatre Faculty

Responsibilities include: Teaching Acting Technique to Intermediate campers (age 12-15), developing a 6-week curriculum, and a 3-week curriculum focusing on the fundamentals of acting. Teaching two 3-week  sessions of Introduction to Mask, developing a curriculum focusing on movement for the actor, effective gesture and body response, and manipulation of character mask.

Traverse City Children’s Theatre, Traverse City, Michigan

September 2006-present

Acting instructor to children and teenagers. Developed curriculum for “Big Bad Bard”, an Acting Shakespeare course. Directed TCCT’s productions of The Merchant of Venice, and Alice in Wonderland.  Directed week-long intensive of Cinderella for the Leland Summer arts Program.

Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania

August 2000- May 2003

Theater 120 Instructor

Responsibilities include: Teaching fundamentals of Acting to undergraduates pursuing a BA in Theatre or a BFA in Musical Theatre, developing a 15-week long curriculum focusing on the understanding of action, partnering and scene work, and evaluating student progress according to class work, participation, and written assignments.

Theater 102 Instructor

Responsibilities include: Teaching fundamentals of Acting to undergraduate non-theatre majors seeking arts credit, developing a 15 week-long curriculum focusing on the appreciation of the Acting process, exercises to free creativity, build vocabulary, develop the class as an ensemble, and ending the semester with a final presentation of scene work.

Theater 100 Assistant Instructor

Responsibilities include: Demonstrating the concepts of Theatre and dramatic structure through performance of scenes as a member of a resident Theatre 100 Acting Company.

YMCA Cranston, Rhode Island

Summer 1998

Drama and Art Workshop Leader

Responsibilities include: Developing a 2-week art/drama program for children 7-12 years old culminating in a performance for family, friends, and the YMCA community.

EDUCATION

MFA Acting
2003 Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

Manuel Duque award for excellence in Acting

BA  Major: Theatre Performance            Minor: Studio Art
2000 Rhode Island College, Providence, RI   Summa Cum Laude
Rhode Island College Theatre Award for excellence in Acting
Irene Ryan regional finalist

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