Artist Professional Development Festival at MuCCC

Artist Professional Development Festival at MuCCC

Monday, July 30- Sunday, August 5, 2018

What is the Artist Professional Development Festival?

This is a week of workshops and classes which promote artistic and professional development of creative and performing artists in the Rochester community. The classes are being offered by teaching professionals and peers, and topics can include any subject which will help artists grow in their chosen craft, or help develop professional skills such as growing an audience, promotion and publicity, or making a living and selling your work. Classes which promote under-served groups of artists and communities are highly encouraged!

The week includes Saturday evening showcase time slots which will be open to the public, in which you and your students are welcome to participate and show off your new skills.

Take a class, teach a class, and come network with your community!

To propose a workshop, please send your idea by email including a brief description of the topic, what you will cover, maximum student enrollment, for whom the class is appropriate, ticket price, length of time for workshop and what your availability for teaching is—day/evening, weekday or weekend. Free workshops up to 1 hour are available at no cost to the presenter, and other workshops are asked to contribute toward operating costs for the week via a shared ticket sales arrangement. Groups are requested to help find volunteers for box office, house management, and tech as needed for their workshops.

Slots are filling fast, so don’t wait!

Yoga for Creatives: mid-day stretch

Mon, July 30 and Wed, Aug 1

12:00pm to 1:00pm

Tickets per session: Advance $12/$15 at the door (if available)

Maximum enrollment per session: 16 students

with Tara Sullivan

https://tara-sullivan.com

What IS yoga, and why develop a yoga practice?

What can be the role of an intentional movement practice in the life of an actor, writer, or creator?

How can we take the lessons of a yoga practice from the mat to the stage, the page, or to the imagination?

What tools of breath, movement and focus are available and how can they be brought to bear in a useful, practical, and actionable way?

In these specially themed yoga classes we will move and breathe together while we investigate these questions. All levels of experience and physical ability are welcome; requirements include a sense of adventure, willingness to listen and try things, and an interest in moving and feeling in ways that might be new. Bring a mat if you have one or there will be some available to borrow.

Wear comfortable clothing that you can move around in and be prepared to take off your shoes.

The yoga and the Alexander Technique workshops can be taken individually, as stand-alone sessions. The classes will build on the themes, and work as a mini-series for those who can attend several, or all 7 sessions over the festival week.

The Alexander Technique:

What is presence, and how can I cultivate it?

Mon July 30 & Wed August 1, 2018

1:30pm- 3:30pm

Instructor Tara Sullivan

Tickets per session: $20 advance/ $25 at the door (if available)

Maximum enrollment per session: 20 students

This is one of the central questions performers find themselves asking. The Alexander Technique is a method of mind-body integration and coordination that offers intelligent answers for movement.

What is natural movement, and how can I do it? How can I move with ease, poise and clarity? How can I get out of my own way, out of my head, or into my body (whatever that means)? These are some of the questions that the Alexander Technique has been responding to for over 100 years.

F.M. Alexander, who developed the work, was himself an actor who both performed and wrote extensively about these questions and more.

The work is taught using anatomical fact, kinesthetic exploration, and the hands and eyes of a teacher to support the letting go of unconscious habits. Moving into the moment involves letting go of habit, and when we are able to do this the result is dazzling to both the performer and audience alike.

Useful for day to day movement as well as the most advanced skill, the Alexander Technique is principle based and applicable to literally any activity. This work is guaranteed to be interesting to anyone curious about them selves or about performance practice, human movement, the power of expression, or what it means to transmit and share your experience to another person.

Wear comfortable street clothes. Be prepared to perform very simple movement experiments and also to experience the work with the teacher in front of the group.

The yoga and the Alexander Technique workshops can be taken individually, and work as stand-alone sessions. The classes will build on the themes, and work as a mini-series for those who can attend several, or all 7 sessions over the festival week.

From Concept to Stage:

Comedy, Collaboration & Creativity

Mon July 30, 2018 4pm- 5:30pm

Tickets $10 advance/ $15 at door Minimum 6 students, Maximum 20 students. Join Flower City Vaudeville (Ward Hartenstein, Richard Hughson, & Ted Baumhauer) in this interactive workshop that explores their process for finding and developing material collaboratively. Writers and stage performers of all types (actors, improv artists, variety performers, stand-up comedians, or anyone looking to expand their concept of theater) will find this experience fun and beneficial. Participants will leave with a framework for creating new material, refining that material, and assessing the value of that material. These processes will be applicable to any theatrical project. Bonus learning: 3 techniques to deal with co-collaborators who constantly veer off track into topics that have nothing to do with anything - like obscure quotes from movies no one has seen in decades! flowercityvaudeville.com

Jack of All Trades: Tech Direction for Directors and Stage Managers

Concept class open to up to 30 students

Monday, July 30 5:30 pm-7:00pm

Tickets $7 in advance, $10 at the door (if available)

includes Optional tech lab on Saturday, Aug. 4 3:00pm - 6:30pm, with Show 7:00pm - 11:00pm.

Ben Meyer-Crosby is a stage manager and tech director with 11 years of industry experience in 23 unique productions, and who has called and/or run 150 individual performances. In this time, Ben has learned how to juggle the many hats often required of him in both community and small professional theaters, and developed tools to communicate and collaborate with a range of directors.

This workshop will include an overview of high-level concepts including lighting design & programming, sound design, board operation, general production logistics, and working with directors to execute a vision.

Optional tech lab on Saturday, Aug. 4 3:00pm - 6:30pm, with Show 7:00pm - 11:00pm.

Up to Fifteen participants in this workshop will be selected for the opportunity to engage in a hands-on tech lab, to be held on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 3:00 pm, and receive dinner and a stipend for having their newly earned tech skills featured in the Saturday evening performance showcase.

Intro to Stage Intimacy

Monday, July 30, 2018

7:00pm- 9:30pm

Instructor Jess Meyer-Crosby

Tickets: $7 advance/$10 at-the-door (if available)

Maximum enrollment: 25 students

As an Intimacy Director emerging into the professional scene, Jess Meyer-Crosby provides an introduction for actors, directors, stage managers, and choreographers to the concept of safely, efficiently, and effectively staging theatrical intimacy. Topics covered will include consent in the theater workspace, safely navigating scenes which may re-trigger trauma, communicating personal boundaries, minimizing vulnerability of scene partners, creating sexual tension, industry best practices, when and how to hire an Intimacy Director, as well as why this work is important.

Please wear movement-ready clothing, and note that some minor physical contact (touching, holding hands, etc.) will be required.

Singing Technique for Actors

Tuesday July 31

1:30 - 3 PM

Ticket price (advance/at the door): $20 / $25

Minimum enrollment: 3

Maximum enrollment: 10

Class Description:

Enhancing and preparing breath management for singing; making emotions part of the singing technique; warm ups to prepare the muscles in the body; modulation air pressure for metrical and verbal dynamics; posture of the face, neck and breathing mechanism; removing barriers that prevent vocal expression; preparation of text through meditation and application to lyrics; perception of sound; singing through the mask.

What students need to prepare, or bring, or wear: Song for preparation will be sent in pdf format.

Instructor Bio

Joseph Ilardo was born and raised in Rochester. He studied chemistry at R.I.T. and graduated in 1963. He began singing professionally in 1961, sang with the Singing Sergeants of the U.S. Air Force Band. In Germany he sang opera, went to college for a second time and received three degrees in music, and worked for the U.S. Army as a Music Specialist. In Rochester, he taught at RAPA and attended college for a third time at Nazareth College for New York State certification and taught music in area schools. He currently is Music Director at St. Mark’s Church in Greece, teaches General Music at Archangel School, and maintains a Private Singing School.

Rochester Latino Theater Company Master Classes

Tuesday, July 31 2018 (Playwriting Lab)

and Thursday, August 2, 2018 (Actors Audition Workshop)

5:00pm- 9:00pm

Tickets $20 per session

Maximum enrollment per session: 20 students

The Rochester Latino Theater Company (RLTC) continues to raise awareness of the Latino experience through Bilingual theatrical performances & training. Our vision is to celebrate, promote & support emerging & established Latino theater artists. RTLC is thrilled to develop the RLTC Master Class Series.

These skill-building series integrates professional development and interdisciplinary theater training techniques scaffolding learning through hands-on participation. Participants will develop theatre arts discipline taught by experts in the Field.

RLTC is committed to providing artistic and field development to Artists of Color.

RLTC Master Class Series offerings:

RLTC Playwriting Lab

Tuesday, July 31st

5:00 to 9:00 pm

This Lab is focused on the playwrights craft development. TA's will offer constructive feedback and top tips as well as writing exercises to get started. Participants will be guided through the early stages of playwriting, learn about manuscript formats and story structure, develop characters and dialogue and give staging direction.

Taught by: Candide Carrasco: Professor at Nazareth College, Playwright and Director with over 40 years of work in theater

And Elena Goldfeder: Retired Professor Nazareth College, Playwright, Director and Actress with over 50 years of work in theater.

Ukulele’s MuCCC’ing About: Workshop and Play-Along with Randy Pollok

Wednesday Aug 1

10:00am- 11:00am

15 students Maximum

Tickets $10

Instructor Randy Pollok https://www.pollokstudios.net/

Ukulele is a versatile and fun instrument that is a great addition to your performing toolbox.

Bring your ukulele (or check one out of the Rochester Public Library for free for an introductory workshop and chance to make music together. We’ll learn chords and strumming patterns and then put them to work as we play and sing a few songs, in this workshop led by local music teacher Randy Pollok.

Randy Pollok is a musician and teacher based in Rochester, NY. He performs as a member of the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra, helps lead the Rochester Ukulele Support Group and teaches workshops at Bernunzio Uptown Music. Randy also teaches group ukulele classes at the Hochstein School of Music and teaches privately through his home studio.

(He also plays and teaches clarinet, guitar, and piano, including with community music and theatre groups, and he is the music director at First Presbyterian Church in Brockport, where he conducts the choir and plays organ, piano, and other instruments.)

Yoga for Creatives: mid-day stretch

Mon, Wed,

12:00pm to 1:00pm (see description in Monday above)

The Alexander Technique:

Mon July 30 & Wed August 1, 2018

1:30pm- 3:30pm (see description in Monday)

‘Light and Shadow Improv Theater’

Wed Aug 1st from 5:30-7:30pm

$12 in advance, $15 at the door

maximum students 12

Instructor Bio:

Mollie Wolf taught Visual and Performing Arts in the Rochester City School District for many years including improv, puppetry, creative movement, shadow plays, and happenings. She has directed plays for young and old. As part of her Art Education degree she studied a wide variety of fine art media. Her paintings have been exhibited at the Memorial Art Gallery, Strasenburgh Planetarium, The Key Gallery in Manhattan, and many other venues.

Mollie’s unique form of ‘light and shadow improv theater’, has delighted audiences in Rochester, Buffalo, and private parties.

Utilizing silhouettes large and small, we will improvise within the framework of a familiar story - creating audio-visual jazz. Mollie’s unique art form blends the genres of movie making and live theater. It extends what we think of as a shadow play- objects on the lens of an overhead are projected onto the back of a screen and actors and performers interact with these projections. Our play is based upon the framework of a well-beloved children’s story-The three Little Pigs’.

In this workshop students will learn:

• How to set a stage to implement this artform within their own discipline and artform.

• What types of objects and props work best to further the plot and encourage creative improvisation on the theme.

• How to animate objects being projected on the back of the screen.

• To interact with projections, props, and their fellow actors-- bringing the story to life.

• Students will gain experience as a projectionist and as an assistant. A narrator in front-of-the-screen will serve as director of the show.

• Gain a new understanding using scenery and lights as tools to make their performances unique.

In the workshop the students will work with Ms. Wolf to create a 15-minute piece for the Saturday Night Showcase. No acting experience is required, but come prepared to incorporate your chosen art, and to surprise yourself.

This workshop is accessible to everyone, aged 12 or older, with or without performance experience, of any artistic or performing discipline. Students of various backgrounds and abilities are encouraged.

If you are unable to participate in the performance Saturday night, please discuss this at the class so Ms Wolf can accommodate your needs.

Your Show's Poster and Publicity Material - Design Dos and Don'ts

Wednesday, Aug 1 2018

8:00pm - 9:00pm

with Philip R. Frey

Founder / Artistic Director The Shakespeare Company of Greater Rochester

www.ShakeCo.com

Cost: Free to MuCCC and Rochester Theater community

An overview of good habits to get into when designing your posters and publicity materials to ensure clarity, focus and engagement.

CANCELLED- Shy Speaks Art – Stage, Poetry and more-CANCELLED

Thursday August 2, 2018

2:00pm- 4:00pm

Instructor Grace Flores

Tickets: $15 advance/ $20 at door (if available)

Maxiumum enrollment: 20 Students

cancelled A workshop for practicing introverts who want to come out. People who have something to give but are too shy to share publicly. Poetry, performance poetry, motivational speaking, writing, story-telling, acting and approaches to dance, graphic arts etc.

AGES WELCOME – 16 yrs. -157 yrs.

Presented by Grace Flores – poet, writer, public speaker and a former 17yr practicing Agoraphobic

Rochester Latino Theater Company Master Classes

RLTC Actors Audition Workshop

Thursday, August 2nd

5:00 to 9:00 pm

The Actors workshop is designed for the beginning / amateur actor. This class is a great introduction to the audition approach and basic foundation of the craft. The class highlights audition techniques, choosing a monologue, preparing 32 bars of a song and writing your resume. Participants will work with ensemble building games, script analysis, and scene study. No experience is necessary. A great start for the beginning actor!

Instructors: Stephanie Parades; Director of Diversity RIT, Playwright, Director and Actress with over 15 years of experience.

And Mary Mendez'Rizzo': Manager of Special Programs at Monroe Community College, Actress. Recent credits include Geva 2017 In the Heights.

“The Artist Salon” at MuCCC

142 Atlantic Ave., Rochester NY

Friday, August 3, 7:30-9:30 pm

free

A “Show and Tell” about the unique you. Your creative process, your art form, your passion and/or your business.

Experience: Camaraderie,

Networking with innovators,

and a Cross pollination of ideas.

This is the first in a series of

Artist Salons...More to Come!!!

Beginner Belly Dance Workshop

Sat August 4, 2018

11:00am- 12:00pm

Instructors: Desert Rhythms Belly DanceTroupe

Tickets: $12 advance/$15 at the door

Class enrollment limited to 12 students

www.desert-rhythms.com

The ancient art of belly dancing is beneficial for women of all shapes and sizes.

Desert Rhythms Belly Dance Troupe will teach you how to move sensuously using your hips and arms in ways that will carry through your presence on stage and in life, all choreographed to the latest Arabic music! As an added bonus, we will do some exciting work with veils!

This class promotes a positive body image is appropriate for all women, teens through old adults.

Please wear comfortable attire in which you can move easily.

“Inside Your Character”

Saturday, August 4, 2018 12:30pm- 2:30pm

Instructor Stephanie Roosa

Tickets: $12 advance/$15 at-the-door (if available)

Maximum enrollment: 12 students

It’s one thing moving as your character, but it is another to inhabit internally who that character is. What are their likes, dislikes, and what makes them tick? This workshop explores various techniques used in character analysis to help come to a better understanding of why the character you are playing does what they do and how it affects their relationships with other characters around them. Whether you are prepping for an audition, or working on a current role, this workshop assists with tools in taking character analysis to the next level. Stephanie Roosa has been directing and working with actors on character development in Rochester for over 15 years and is the founder and Artistic Director of Out of Pocket, Inc.- Theatre with a Purpose!

Saturday Evening Showcase!

Followed by a Festival Talk-back

Saturday, August 4, 2018

7:00pm – Until?

Tickets: Suggested Donation $5, pay-what-you-will, proceeds to go toward venue and festival operating costs.

Saturday evening will be a spectacular showcase event. In an open-mic style, workshop presenters and attendees will have an opportunity to show off their skills, and demonstrate what they learned during the week. Groups will be given a time-slot in the event, and audience members can attend for one session, or the entire evening.

This spectacular salmagundi of showmanship and style will be an informal and exciting event, with an ‘anything-could-happen’ feeling of a live, mostly improvised amalgamation of various arts, styles, and fun!

Tickets to this showcase will available to the public: Friends, family, and the artistically or theatrically curious are encouraged to attend!

After the showcase, a short talk-back about the festival will invite your opinions and ideas for building future events like the Artist Professional Development Festival at MuCCC. We want to help you grow your art, develop your skills, and hone your professionalism in the arts, so you can achieve all you dream. Tell us how!

*cancelled* Movement for Actors... and everybody! *cancelled*

Sunday, August 5th, *cancelled*

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Instructor: Laurie MacFarlane

$8 in advance; $10 at the door

Maximum enrollment: 12 students

Come enjoy a simple warm-up, movement tasks, games, and structures that will introduce basic concepts and elements of the moving/dancing body. No previous experience needed. This class is open to all, ages 12 and up, and promises to be lots of fun!

For more than 20 years, Laurie MacFarlane has performed her dance theater works and improvisations throughout the US, in Canada and Mexico; in theaters, on the street, in windows, cafes, and even a garage. She is a MuCCC artist and coordinates the annual Dances at MuCCC festival with her partner, Ruben T. Ornelas. *cancelled*

Introduction to Theater of the Oppressed

Sunday, Aug 5, 2018

1:00pm- 4:00pm

Instructor: Reuben Tapp

Tickets: $25

Maximum Enrollment: 20 students

We've heard art can be a force for social change but are unaware of vehicles to facilitate this type of art. This workshop introduces attendees to an applied theater that aids resurrecting the voice of those to often silenced in situations that matter, Theater of the Oppressed(TO).

In three hours, Reuben Tapp will navigate participants through tenuous terrain, melding experiences and concerns into an artful engaging and responsive display.

Theater of the Oppressed, created by Augusto Boal joins the work of Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) with live theater conventions. It is an approach that allows those challenging situations of the past and present to fuel tomorrow's resolutions. TO is practiced widespread and is utilized in multiple areas on 6 continents.

This will primarily be a 'working' workshop. Everyone will be expected to 'work'.

Moreover, EARLY REGISTRATION is advised so that materials can be sent via email to workshop participants. Final end products expected to be taped.

Topics covered:

Applied Theater/Drama

Pedagogy of the Oppressed Theory

Theater of the Oppressed Background/Theory

Gamexercises

Image Theater

Forum Theater

Participants can expect to gain familiarity with TO and some of the gamexercises originating in TO and its affiliates.