Ashland Center for Theatre Studies

Past Elective Course

The Director and the Rehearsal Process

Ashland, Oregon

A week-long 3-credit graduate level class geared toward high school and community college theatre educators covering the director's role in the rehearsal process:

• Address issues of working with young actors
• Explore the post-casting, pre-technical rehearsal period
• Develop script analysis skills geared toward character development and helping actors realize their potential
• Build a rehearsal vocabulary
• Discover practical blocking exercises
• Learn how to use rehearsals as acting lessons while not impeding progress toward opening night
• Create rehearsal plans and monitoring schedules to ensure your performers peak at opening night
• Work with professional directors
• Discuss and analyze the Oregon Shakespeare Festival production of Twelfth Night
• Direct SOU young student actors and each other in practical directing exercises

Faculty

G Valmont Thomas, director and OSF actor

Penny Metropulos, OSF and freelance director

Here's what our students say:

• "Everything was absolutely fantastic, but the thing I appreciated most was the focus on the high school situations we work in and how to apply what we're learning."
• "Above and beyond what I had hoped for . . . really what I needed."
• "Amazing. I feel like I have been working with greatness!
• "I loved this week. It touched my soul and changed my life. I'm very excited for my own classes and season to begin."
• "It means so much to be here in this nurturing environment with this loving faculty and staff."

2005 Particpant Emily Ottaway from Kansas with SOU student actors