Dave Horak will be leading our Sunday Performance Lab for the next 3 weeks (January 7, 14, and 21).
Where: The Citadel Theatre Foote Theatre School (Classroom B)
When: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Enter through: The Foote Theatre School doors on the south side of the building (doors will be open 15 minutes before the beginning of class)
A message from Dave about what he is exploring in his pedagogy:
I’m excited to teach these sessions in the newly formed Performance Lab!
I am designing each class so that someone can drop-in and feel like you won’t be missing something from class to class. This is a different way for me to teach and I’m excited by the possibilities. Over the past 15 years or so, I’ve been searching for actor training that is a daily practice and this laboratory is a place where I can exercise those muscles alongside the participants. This won’t be about developing a product that will be performed, it’s not a scene study or audition class but rather a physically-based training that will build strength in your body and creativity. I’m hoping that not only performers will find something useful in the class but also writers, directors, dancers and all other artists will as well.
I will be borrowing from such techniques as Viewpoints and Suzuki Actor Training to base much of the work on. Dress to be able to move and often we will be in bare feet. Occasionally we will wear socks and if you have athletic-type cotton socks or Japanese Tabi (cotton, split-toe socks) bring those. But don’t worry if you don’t, I’ll bring some extra! Sometimes we’ll speak so if you have a piece of text, monologue or a song you are working on, bring that as well. Sometimes we will improvise and sometimes we will work in a rigorous structure, so all you really need to be is open and willing to try something new. Repetition is important to develop a practice so expect to do some exercises from class to class.
I’m looking forward to challenging my own methods and pedagogy within this context as well. I will be experimenting with techniques and looking to blend and mash up methodologies in the search for a on-going performance practice.