It’s that time of year again, with the crisp busyness of autumn in the air and you are back to your routine, trying to decide on the most enjoyable ways of passing your free time as the days get shorter and gloomier.
Evening courses at Galway Actors Workshop are just the thing to brighten your winter. The autumn term starts the week of September 21 with an expanded range of classes on offer, creating a wider range of opportunities for both experienced students and beginners to try out different styles of theatre and performance.
Besides the ever-popular 12-week introduction to acting and scene study courses, the centre has introduced a 12-week introduction to improv course with Conor Geoghan (who runs improv group The Leg Breakers ) on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Through play and performance games, students will be led through the basics of improvisation to learn to be sharper, funnier, and more present. The aspect of performance is important through this course, students will get a experience “warming up” for other comedy improv shows and the term will work towards a public improv performance in a city venue. The course starts on September 24.
Introduction to acting is for beginners or those who have not done it in a while and are looking to get back into it in a relaxed, enjoyable, way. The course covers all the basics through various games, exercises, and improvisations and the main focus is on developing confidence, getting comfortable performing in front of others, learning how to create characters and settings, and most importantly, having fun. Classes are on Mondays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, starting September 21.
The scene study course has given rise to some very entertaining showcase performances in various city theatre venues for the last few years and is for anyone with a bit of acting experience who would like to perform in public, in two different roles from two different plays by established playwrights. This course replicates the traditional rehearsal experience and covers theatrical style, blocking, dialogue, characterisation, movement, line learning, costume choice, props, and working with text. The term will culminate in a public showcase performance at an established Galway theatre venue. The course runs on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm from September 22.
An advanced performance course, running on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, will culminate in a four-night run of The Snow Queen at the Town Hall Studio from December 16 to 19. This course is by application only and interested parties are advised to email the contact below with details of availability, interest. and level of experience. It aims to bring students through the process of devising and rehearsal and being directed as well as giving them the experience of being involved in a full show.
The Adventures in Performance Saturday workshop series starting on October 3 with A Big Day Of Play. This one-day course for all levels, including beginners, explores the foundations of comedy and theatrical improvisation with acclaimed performer and facilitator Órla Mc Govern (artistic director, The Spontaneous Theatre People, The Sky Babies, Moth and Butterfly ). The course will feature some essentials from the improvisation toolbox including games, character, truth, status, listening, storytelling, and spontaneity. Be prepared to have fun, laugh out loud, be silly and surprised, boost your brain-power and amaze yourself.
More details for the Adventures in Performance series have yet to be confirmed but there will be one-day workshops in theatrical acrobatics, performance art, CVs and headshots, directing and voice, with excellent tutors, all at very reasonable rates, and with package deals for those who sign up for more than one course. For full details keep an eye on www.galwayactorsworkshop.com
All evening courses cost €225 (€195 for students/unemployed ) and there are early bird rates of €210/€180 for those who book before September 14. Further details for costings on weekend workshops to be announced soon.
All courses take place at the Anno Santo Hotel. For more information, or to book, email [email protected] or call Sarah on 087 237 3531.
