Master Classes for the High School Student
When: Wednesday Evenings October 27, November 10, November 17
Where: In-person at the Warehouse, 1525 S. Rogers St, Bloomington
What: Master Classes in stage combat, physical comedy and auditions geared towards high school students taught by professionals in the field
Who: Grades 9 - 12
Cost: $30 per class or all three for $75
Register for all three classes here
Register only for the 10/27 Stage Combat class here
Register only for the 11/10 Physical Comedy class here
Register only for the 11/17 Audition Techniques class here
Class Descriptions and Instructor Bios Below
Wednesday, October 27, 6-8 pm
Stage Combat: Conquering unarmed fighting techniques for safe, effective, and believable theatrical on-stage conflicts with Andrés Lopez
Experience and train with Andrés through practical application in a workshop style master class. Students will obtain a blend of protocol, skills, practice, and repetition within creating stage fighting.
Andrés Lopez is an advanced actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, holding certifications in all eight weapon disciplines. Andres studied theatre and holds a BA from Michigan State University, MA from Harvard University, and Ph.D. from Indiana University. For over eight years, he has taught stage combat to people of all ages at workshops and in classrooms all around the country. He has been the fight choreographer for several productions, including Vinegar Tom, Water by the Spoonful, Streamers, and Cyrano de Bergerac. In addition, Andrés has lectured at universities, organizations, and theatres on the historical and contemporary practice of stage combat.
Wednesday, November 10, 6-8 pm
Physical Comedy: creating comedy through strategy, timing, and precision
with RJ Hodde
Don’t “hold for laughs!” RJ will lead students through an experiential array of comedic drills, techniques, and comedic tricks. Students will practice how to execute comedy in physical slap-stick mediums.
RJ Hodde (he/him) is a Hoosier by upbringing, now a graduate candidate in Directing and Associate Instructor of Theatre at Indiana University. His degree pursuits include research in popular performance practice, genre and media studies, and arts policymaking. In 2020, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education awarded RJ the Kennedy Center’s award in Innovative Teaching (Region III) for his pedagogical developments in Camp and Clown as modes of actor-character training. RJ has spent his time at IU focusing on his comedic work.
Wednesday, November 17, 6-8 pm
Audition Techniques: curating characterization while staying adaptable and directable to the casting director with Rachel Hoey
Students will work on how to conquer audition and call-back skills through practical application and fun game-like challenges. The master class will focus on how the same outcome can be achieved through more ways than one as well as how to prepare material before auditions.
Rachel Hoey is a director, educator, performer from San Diego, CA. Rachel serves as the Education Coordinator and Curriculum Specialist for Stages Bloomington! Rachel holds a BA/MA in Theatre from San Diego State University, where she has taught Creative Drama and Theatre for Young Audiences as a lecturer (2012-16). Rachel earned her MFA in Directing from Indiana University this Spring 2020, where she had the opportunity to teach undergraduates in Acting I & II as well as co-teach Great Performances in Film. She has trained at Second City West Hollywood, Steppenwolf West, and British American Drama Academy. Rachel has collaborated as a teaching artist with La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Playwrights Project, Art for Learning SD, J Company, Childsplay Tempe, Scottsdale Arts, and Arts for Lawrence. Most recently, Rachel directed Water by the Spoonful (IU), associate directed John Brown’s Body (Stages Bloomington), and directed Puffs! (Greater Boston Stage Company).
Due to ongoing COVID concerns, we will be following the safety guidelines established by the Monroe County Health Department. Masks will be worn, distancing will be enforced and all instructors and staff have voluntarily vaccinated.
An email will go out a few days before the classes begin with any additional class details, direction for drop off/pick up and any updated safety precautions.
