Hey Everyone,
So I have said it once and I'll say it again... I suck at updating this. Weeeee Sorry... :-p
So in October I started my second and final year of graduate school. My first course was British Contemporary Theatre. This class included new directors into the program, so that was fun to get to know new people and getting to see my old friends from last year. I kind of wish this class was my first class last year, so I would have had a better introduction to England. We got to work with a couple of guest artists who are directors in London, Che Walker and Bijan Sheibani. They were incredible and I learned a lot from each of them. It's exciting getting new tools and ideas to bring into my future rehearsal rooms. Also it was nice getting such positive feedback about where I am in my directing career.
My second course this year was Improv and Devising. This was a fun class that kept us on our feet all day exploring new techniques. I have experience doing improv from my Undergrad years and that came in real handy during this course. Also I have done a little devising in my past but not much. So it was extremely good to learn more about a few different devising styles. Again we had awesome guest artists, such as Steve Roe and John Wright. Steve came in and ran a whole day of how to direct and teach improv. He was so positive and gave off such a comfortable vibe I was really interested in his company, Hoopla, and wanted to work with him further. Luckily I kept in contact with him and for my third class this year I will be shadowing him as he teaches his weekly improv classes in London. John Wright came in for a day at the end of our second class. He was funny, inspirational, and had a unique way of sharing his wisdom about devising. He kept encouraging us to be all in when we did the activities. He said “If you want people to own the work they have to be a part of creating it.” I think my last two shows at the Footlighters were successful in part due to the cast helping build the sets, costumes, and props. We were able to bond and they all had a part of creating the world they were playing in. They were able to own the worlds within the plays and it became real to them and the audiences.
I am three weeks into my third class. I am shadowing Steve Roe, creator of the improv company Hoopla. Mondays is an open workshop that has a different theme each week. It is open to all levels and anyone can come to any of the workshops. Tuesdays are his beginner class where he teaches the basics of improv. Wednesdays and Thursdays are performances classes. The Tuesday-Thursday classes run for eight weeks and at the end of the eight weeks the two performance classes get to put on a show for their family and friends. Steve is such a positive and caring individual it is delightful shadowing him. I have learned a lot about working with different groups of people and different styles of improv. I am learning how to teach improv, and I can even use these skills in my future rehearsal rooms as well. All of these skills are transferable and can even help me in a non theatre environment.
In the middle of March I will be coming home again for Spring Break for a little over a month. As always I am super excited and miss everyone and my furry kitty tons! When I get back to England in April I will start my last class AND on one day I get to go to a wildlife park and feed a red panda!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOO excited for that opportunity and if you're friends with me on Facebook i'm sure that day you will see TONS of pictures of one excited and happy Kellie. I am also looking forward to graduating in June and starting work on my thesis, which will be me directing a play and turning in a logbook about it. I hope everyone is doing well and hopefully we can catch up soon.
Lots of love, Kellie
