STAGE COMBAT & TAP DANCE WORKSHOPS – ONE DAY ONLY!

STAGE COMBAT & TAP DANCE WORKSHOPS – ONE DAY ONLY!

Saturday, December 14, 2013. Choose 1 or both workshops! Participate or observe! Join special guest artists James N. Brown (Certified Teacher, SAFD), Adam Kissinger (Actor/Combatant, SAFD Theatre), and Johnnie Hobbs, III (Los Angeles tap dancer, actor, director, and producer), for workshops in unarmed stage violence as well as tap dance history, technique, and choreography. Ages 8 through Adult. Participants: $25 per workshop; $40 for both workshops combined.

Observers: $10 per workshop. Special Discount for SHREK THE MUSICAL at Steel River Playhouse: Enroll by Thurs, Dec. 5th and receive a coupon for $3 off first weekend SHREK tickets (limit 2 tickets per person): 12/5 (7:30 pm), 12/6 (8 pm), 12/7 (8 pm) & 12/8 (3 pm). Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464, (610) 970-1199. Visit www.steelriver.org for more info or contact kathy@steelriver.org.

Session I: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Age 15 through Adult – STAGE COMBAT

Age 8 through 15 – TAP DANCE

Session II: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Age 10 through 15 – STAGE COMBAT

Age 15 through Adult – TAP DANCE

STAGE COMBAT Workshop Description: Join James N. Brown (Certified Teacher, SAFD), and Adam Kissinger (Actor/Combatant, SAFD) for a beginning workshop in unarmed stage violence. The workshop will cover fundamental techniques to safely touch fellow actors in the creation of the illusion of violence for stage and camera work, with awareness of character objectives and “beats” within a fight. Learn how to safely “push” a fellow actor and how to “fall” onstage. You will also have the opportunity to create and play a scene with a fellow actor using specific choreography utilizing the techniques learned in the workshop. Depending on student interest, Steel River Playhouse is considering developing a comprehensive Stage Combat program starting in 2014.

STAGE COMBAT Participant and Observer Requirements:

Participation open to ages 10 through Adult (divided by session). Maximum 16 per class. No prior experience is necessary. Participants should wear clothing that allows you to move and fall, such as tights or sweats. Observers age 6 through Adult are also welcome to attend, in order to learn by watching the work of your fellow performers. See applicable fees, below. Note: class involves limited physical contact with your scene partner.

TAP DANCE Workshop Description: Tap your day away with Johnnie Hobbs, III, joining us from Los Angeles for this special learning opportunity. Johnnie pairs the history of tap through the ages with hands-on (well, really “feet on”) experiential technique and choreography. Learn about tap as a form of expression from the African slave trade, to minstrel shows, Irish step dancing, vaudeville, movie musicals, and more! Learn how the pioneers of modern tap developed this art form over time (including the cultural ethos of generosity and mentorship), from Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, to Sammy Davis, to Gregory Hines, to Savion Glover, and Jeni Le Gon, Ann Miller, Vera Ellen, and Eleanor Powell. Then apply innovative technique and choreography with Johnnie’s guidance. 

TAP DANCE Participant and Observer Requirements: Participation open to ages 8 through Adult (divided by session). Maximum 20 per class. Appropriate for all levels but some dance experience is recommended. Participants should wear clothing that allows you to move. Observers age 6 through Adult are also welcome to attend, in order to learn by watching the work of your fellow performers. See applicable fees, below.