Description
START DATE
TBD
COURSE TYPE
Live Webinar
CERTIFICATE EARNING
NO
START DATE
TBD
COURSE TYPE
Live Webinar
CERTIFICATE EARNING
YES
ABOUT THE CHARACTERIZATION & PERFORMANCE PROJECT COURSE
I hear you thinking… Another acting class? And on Zoom no less? How is that possible?
Actors need to use their body, their voice, and other actors to pay attention and listen to. Are you trying to generate a world of talking heads? Actors need an audience!
Here’s an answer: Let’s try it and make it possible. Perhaps playing on Zoom will open up a new area of expression, creativity and imagination that you wouldn’t normally tap into. Maybe we can develop a group of actors, directors, writers and tech people who will form the first Zoom based Performance Co.! But I’m getting ahead of myself.
You ask… So what will we do in our collection of personal windows? How do we connect to ourselves, our character, our partner, and an audience?
What to Expect:
- Improvs, which will tune up your responses and imagination.
- Monologues you have prepared by modern or classical authors. The material should be from pieces that challenge you.
- Scenes that you and your partner are in the process of working on. The material should be from pieces that challenge you. You can cast yourself against type.
- The Auto-drama. A presentation of the high points of your life, done metaphorically. This is explained in the book, ‘An Actor Performs‘.
- The Auto-drama of the Character. You might want to develop an Auto-drama about a character you are working on.
- One Person Show & The Activist Project. Or an exploration of a living person, someone, someone who wants to change the world, the Activist Project.
Weekly Breakdown
-
- Week 1 – Improvs
- Week 2 – Monologues
- Week 3 – Scenes
- Week 4 – The Auto Drama
- Week 5 – The Auto Drama of Character
- Week 6 – One Person Show & The Activist Project
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

MEL SHAPIRO
Master Teacher | info@emergemedia.us
Mel Shapiro is professor emeritus at UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and was previously a founding member of NYU’s Tisch School. During his decade-spanning career, Mel has earned a number of awards including a Tony Award and New York Drama Critics Award. Read more about Mel Shapiro.
Some notable people Mel has worked with:

John Guare
Playwright
“The House of Blue Leaves”, “Six Degrees of Separation”, etc.

Rob Marshall
Film Director
“Chicago”, “A Little Night Music”, etc.

Galt MacDermot
Composer
“Hair”, “Two Gentlemen of Verona”, etc.

Billy Porter
Actor
Needs no introduction!

Sammy Davis Jr.
Actor
Needs no introduction!