BLOCK 9:
9 am to 10:30 am
The Actor's Reset & the Actor's Emotional Palette
presented by Nick Erickson, Louisiana State University
Location: TWH Cabaret Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
How can an actor stay present, confident, and embodied? With the actor's reset! How can an actor jumpstart emotional life? The actor's emotional palette!
PRESENTER BIO: Nick Erickson (Associate Professor; Stage Movement, Head of M.F.A. Acting/ Physical Theatre)
Nick received his M.F.A. in Acting at CalArts. Erickson performed at such places as the Swine Palace, the Intiman and Empty Space Theatres in Seattle, and at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Nick has acted in several movies including G.I.Joe2 with Bruce Willis, College, A Perfect Day with Rob Lowe and in The Staircase Murders with Treat Williams and Kevin Pollack. He starred in the feature film, Mahjong by the Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang. He was a guest star on the Fox network series, K-Ville. At the Swine Palace, Nick performed in King Lear, The Metamorphoses, and The Exonerated, among others. Erickson was a founding member of Diavolo: Architecture in Motion and for seven years co choreographed and performed in all of the company's pieces on three national tours and abroad. Every other summer since 2008, Nick has directed/produced a LSU student production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in France as an Academic Program Abroad. As a Movement Director/ Coach/ Choreographer/ Stunt Coordinator, Erickson has worked for the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Festival/LA, the LA Opera, Disney, Occidental Children's Theatre, and for film. Nick is the resident Fight Choreographer for all Swine Palace and LSU Theatre productions and has worked on many LSU Opera productions.
Nick received his M.F.A. in Acting at CalArts. Erickson performed at such places as the Swine Palace, the Intiman and Empty Space Theatres in Seattle, and at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Nick has acted in several movies including G.I.Joe2 with Bruce Willis, College, A Perfect Day with Rob Lowe and in The Staircase Murders with Treat Williams and Kevin Pollack. He starred in the feature film, Mahjong by the Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang. He was a guest star on the Fox network series, K-Ville. At the Swine Palace, Nick performed in King Lear, The Metamorphoses, and The Exonerated, among others. Erickson was a founding member of Diavolo: Architecture in Motion and for seven years co choreographed and performed in all of the company's pieces on three national tours and abroad. Every other summer since 2008, Nick has directed/produced a LSU student production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in France as an Academic Program Abroad. As a Movement Director/ Coach/ Choreographer/ Stunt Coordinator, Erickson has worked for the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Festival/LA, the LA Opera, Disney, Occidental Children's Theatre, and for film. Nick is the resident Fight Choreographer for all Swine Palace and LSU Theatre productions and has worked on many LSU Opera productions.
The Doofer Challenge
presented by Sara Brunow, University of Montevallo (Inclusion Division Chair, Florida Theatre Conference), and Hanna Hagerty, Asolo Repertory Theatre.
Location: TWH Large Art Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
The Doofer Challenge: Oh no! The director needs that prop for rehearsal TODAY?!?! How can you spark creativity and make something that will DO FOR now? In this hands-on art-making experience, participants communicate, collaborate, and create to solve problems that arise when making theatre together. Designed by Asolo Rep Stage Management and Education staff, The Doofer Challenge is a great way to challenge young artists to adapt and think outside of the box.
PRESENTER BIO: Sara Brunow (she/her) is a theatre maker, teaching artist, and arts administrator who has worked within education and community engagement departments of professional theatre companies around the country (Orlando Family Stage, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, and Asolo Repertory Theatre). She has a BFA Music Theatre (Shenandoah Conservatory) and an MFA Theatre for Young Audiences (University of Central Florida) and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Theatre at University of Montevallo. Producing Credits: Tommy Tune Awards (2016-2019, Theatre Under The Stars); Public Works Houston (2019, Theatre Under The Stars), Asolo Rep On Tour (2019-2023, Asolo Repertory Theatre). Awards: Tom Behm Professional Development Award (SETC, 2016), Emerging Leader in Arts and Culture (Glasser-Shoenbaum Foundation, 2024). Sara is a member of the Florida Theatre Conference Board where she serves as the Chair of the Inclusion Division. Theatre is for Everyone!
Hanna Hagerty (she/her) is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, where she got her BA in Theatre Arts with a focus in Stage Management and Acting. Her professional credits include: SM Intern at Drury Lane Theatre (The 39 Steps, Ring of Fire) and SM Apprentice at Asolo Repertory Theatre (Crazy For You, Dial M for Murder). She is currently serving as the Stage Manager for Asolo Rep/FSU Conservatory’s Much Ado About Nothing on tour. When not stage managing, you can find her reading, scrapbooking, or baking. She looks forward to sharing Much Ado About Nothing and her love for all things theatre with Florida Theatre Conference!
Hanna Hagerty (she/her) is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, where she got her BA in Theatre Arts with a focus in Stage Management and Acting. Her professional credits include: SM Intern at Drury Lane Theatre (The 39 Steps, Ring of Fire) and SM Apprentice at Asolo Repertory Theatre (Crazy For You, Dial M for Murder). She is currently serving as the Stage Manager for Asolo Rep/FSU Conservatory’s Much Ado About Nothing on tour. When not stage managing, you can find her reading, scrapbooking, or baking. She looks forward to sharing Much Ado About Nothing and her love for all things theatre with Florida Theatre Conference!
"Mean Girls: A Broadway Dance Workshop"
presented by Jake Swain, Open Jar Institute
Location: TWH Game Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
A unique opportunity to work with Jake Swain from Smash Broadway Hit “Mean Girls". Learn original choreography from the show. Discover the secrets to mastering dance combinations swiftly. Elevate your dance abilities in this inclusive workshop. All levels are warmly welcome. Jake will be awarding a $500 Open Jar Institute tuition scholarship to one of the students in his workshops.
PRESENTER BIO:
Musical Theatre Audition Techniques
presented by Rachel Kelsey, National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Location: TWH Ballet Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College
NTI Program Representative and Teaching Artist, Rachel Kelsey, draws upon her professional audition experience to bring you this workshop. The intention of this session is to assist performers in improving their audition technique and specificity for both self-taped as well as in-person auditions. Here we will work on crafting strong, professional, and creative auditions experiences. Actors should have a 32 bar cut prepared to workshop, with a piano track, in a mock audition setting, in which Rachel will provide feedback and get them on their feet. During the workshop, participants will perform, take artistic risks, and have the opportunity to play with the character/musical moment. The session is taught from the lens and personal experience of Rachel Kelsey as she has been in the room with individuals such as Alison Franck (Casting Director), Jeff Whiting (NYC Director/Choreographer), Kristian Charbonier (Casting Director), Sue Frost (Broadway Producer), etc. The workshop is open to actors at all levels in their educational career. We are thrilled to bring FTC a taste of the current audition climate!
PRESENTER BIO: Rachel Kelsey (She/Her) is an actor, singer, dancer, and creative artist originally from Omaha, NE. Additionally, serves as program representative and a teaching artist for the National Theater Institute (NTI) at the two-time Tony award winning, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Here, she travels across the country to offer workshops in a variety of artistic disciplines as well as bring awareness to the institution, otherwise known as the launchpad of the American theater.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Business minor from Drake University, in Des Moines, IA. In addition to studying at Drake, she also spent the Fall of 2022 in Connecticut, studying with NTI’s Music Theater program. While traveling for the O'Neill and teaching at various conferences, festivals, and institutions throughout the nation, Rachel is actively involved in the theatre scene as well as seeking additional theatrical opportunities. To get in touch, email ntirep@theoneill.org or itsrachelkelsey@gmail.com.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Business minor from Drake University, in Des Moines, IA. In addition to studying at Drake, she also spent the Fall of 2022 in Connecticut, studying with NTI’s Music Theater program. While traveling for the O'Neill and teaching at various conferences, festivals, and institutions throughout the nation, Rachel is actively involved in the theatre scene as well as seeking additional theatrical opportunities. To get in touch, email ntirep@theoneill.org or itsrachelkelsey@gmail.com.
Moving a Character
presented by Ayda Ozdoganlar & Caitlin Rose, Asolo Repertory Company/Florida State University
Location: TWH Cabaret Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
Participants will explore the development of character through the lens of that character’s movement. They will be given a wide library of movement tools that can contribute to the creation of detailed physical life. Students will then decide how to use these tools as they apply them in a devising project.
PRESENTER BIO:
Ayda is a Turkish-American actress earning her MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, where she performed as Irina in Three Sisters and Benvolia in Romeo and Juliet She also attended Carnegie Mellon University, where she played Sophie in Mamma Mia! and received a B.S. in Biology and Minor in Drama with a dramaturgical focus. Recent credits include Jane in Pride and Prejudice and Regan in Lear at the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Ayda also enjoys teaching, and has worked to bring theatre and dance to kids of all ages through classes and workshops!
Caitlin Rose is a third year MFA graduate student at FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Recent credits include: Don Pedro/Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing at Asolo Rep, Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Piknik Theatre; and with FSU/Asolo: Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and Julie in Miss Julie. In addition to a passion for all things Shakespeare, Caitlin is a figure model, director, and wants to teach one day. “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
BLOCK 10:
11 am to 12:30 pm
Acting in the Moment: Allowing Presence over Planning
presented by Nick Trotta and Uma Paranjpe, Atlantic Acting School
Location: TWH Cabaret Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College
This workshop uses the foundational principles of Practical Aesthetics to introduce students to the risky fun of play in the moment to determine their acting choices. It will introduce new inputs for the making of choices on stage, beyond preparation, allow students to experiment with the utility of physical and mental ease over effort in performance, and prioritize the moment over the idea of the scene/text/play.
PRESENTER BIO: Nick Trotta is a Brooklyn-based actor and acting teacher with the Atlantic Acting School. He is one of the founders of the Tugboat Collective and Clementine Players theater companies. He has recently performed in productions of: Rhinocerous, Pride and Prejudice, Shedding Load, and All My Sons. Recent films include: Ebba, Last Meal, Fish King, Public Relations, and Vestiges.
Uma Paranjpe (she/they) is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist. She most recently appeared as Pi to close the Broadway run of Life of Pi at the Schoenfeld Theater. Off-Broadway: Short Stack (Ma-Yi), tango of a crumbling wall (Teatro Latea). Regional: Life of Pi (American Repertory Theater), Much Ado (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Nerve (Theatreworks), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Catskill Mountain Shakes). Film: Beast (Tribeca New Voices), King Lahiri (Amazon Prime). Uma currently teaches at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City, and out of her home in Brooklyn. BFA Musical Theatre: University of Miami. umaparanjpe.com | @superumapuma
Playwrighting: Structure, Submissions, and Staging "Oh, My!"
presented by Gretchen Suarez-Pena, Florida Atlantic University
Location: TWH Large Art Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
An introduction to playwriting structure and characters, how to submit your work, and get it up on the stage.
PRESENTER BIO: Gretchen Suárez-Peña is a Puerto Rican playwright with an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University (2024), a board member of Conch Shell Productions (NYC), an Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University, and a proud Dramatist Guild member. Awards and Recognitions: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, Voices of Women Theatre Festival, Downtown Urban Arts Festival, SheATL and the Straz Center.
The "4 P's" for Performing Accents
presented by Lori L. Engler, Theatre Winter Haven
Location: TWH Game Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
Whether accents come easily for you or you’re not sure where to start, the “4 Ps” of Knight-Thompson Speechwork provide a method for performing any accent you will ever need. Learn how to do accent research, build empathy with your accent donors, discover the physical adjustments needed to achieve the distinctive sounds of an accent, and incorporate aspects of musicality that can make your accent performance come alive. We’ll take a quick tour of London English accents through the lens of the “4 Ps,” and you’ll walk away with tools and exercises you can use to continue exploring accents.
PRESENTER BIO: Lori L. Engler is an actor, dialect coach, and Certified Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork, a skills-based approach to speech and accent training for actors. She has provided dialect coaching for various educational, community, and professional theatres, including: Theatre Winter Haven, Ocala Civic Theatre, Venice Theatre, The Henegar Center, Des Moines Playhouse, Ritz Theater Sanford, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Florida Southern College, Polk State College, Garden Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, and Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. Select coaching credits include: Murder On the Orient Express, Titanic: the Musical, Dracula, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Underneath the Lintel, Diana: the Musical, Paper Thin (world premiere), A Christmas Carol, Peter and the Starcatcher, Matilda, Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden, and Newsies. Lori also coaches privately for auditions and educational theatre, and is a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Educational Theatre Association, and American Association of Community Theatre.
Acting Shakespeare's Text
presented by Trent Stephens, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Location: TWH Ballet Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
Shakespeare's words are very rich, but understandably, some actors have a hard time naturalizing the words and finding them in their own body. The text of Shakespeare's plays have natural affordances and opportunities that may not be apparent unless we know what we are looking for. We are going to use early modern acting techniques to approach the text as Shakespeare's company would have and uncover the performance that is buried in the text.
PRESENTER BIO: Trent Stephens received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2011 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University in 2022. In the summer of 2009, Trent began as a company member of the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival. Stephens directed an independent production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that was featured in the November 2013 issue of American Theatre Magazine. Since 2015, Trent has annually served as guest director for Shakespeare by the Sea and Shakespeare by the Palms, where he has been honored to direct Hamlet (2015), Taming of The Shrew (2016), Love’s Labour’s Lost (2017), Antony and Cleopatra (2018), Romeo and Juliet (2019), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2020/21), Richard II (2022), Measure for Measure (2023) and King Lear (2024).
Creating Art from Thin Air
presented by Leah Page, Flagler College, and Emily Freeman, Orlando Family Stage (Devised Theatre Co-Chairs, Florida Theatre Conference)
Location: TWH Mat Room
Appropriate Age Group: Youth, Middle School, High School
Get ready for your Creativity Era and explore how to make something amazing from nothing! Through theatre games, improv, and creative writing, you'll learn how to turn simple ideas into full scenes and performances. Whether you're new to acting or a seasoned performer, this workshop will spark your creativity and show you how to build unique stories out of thin air!
PRESENTER BIO: Leah Page is an Associate Professor at Flagler College in St Augustine, FL. She has worked at a number of regional theaters and community-based organizations across the country including Asolo Repertory Theatre, Two River Theater, McCarter Theater Center, viBe Theater Experience, Making Books Sing, and CAT Youth Theatre. Some of her favorite directing experiences include Streetlight Woodpecker (Flagler College), A Doll’s House Part II (Limelight Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Flagler College and Limelight Theatre) Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Daytona Stage College), The Giver (Flagler College), and Edges (Flagler College). She has an MA in Applied Theatre from CUNY and an MFA in Musical Theatre from UCF.
Emily Freeman is the Senior Director of Development at Orlando Family Stage in Orlando, FL. She received her MFA from University of Texas at Austin in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities and her BA in Theatre from Northwestern University. She's worked for The John F. Kennedy Center, Adventure Stage Chicago, Imagination Stage, and Asolo Repertory Theatre. She is an applied theatre artist, director, playwright, and arts administrator. She is thrilled to join the FTC Board this year.
BLOCK 11:
2 pm to 3:30 pm
It's So Trashy!: The Ultimate Costume Design Challenge
presented by Lisa Barrows
Location: TWH Large Art Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School
Get ready for a costume design challenge with a twist! In this fast-paced workshop, you'll go from brainstorming to a timed round of creating costumes using only trash bags and found items. Think CHOPPED meets fashion design—creativity and resourcefulness are key in this fun, high-energy competition!
PRESENTER BIO: Lisa Barrows from Winter Park, FL has been teaching middle school theatre since 2016. She currently teaches at Hamlin Middle School in Winter Garden Theatre. She teaches Theatre 1, Theatre 2, Theatre 3, Musical Theatre and Tech Theatre. She is the sponsor of Troupe 08-10639. She earned her M.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida. She is a member of AATE, Educational Theatre Association and FATE. She loves being a part of students’ building a production, watching them grow in their skills and share the magic of theatre with others
Broadway Dance with a Broadway Performer: "Once Upon a One More Time"
presented by Andrew Cao, The University of Florida
Location: TWH Game Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College
After performing on Broadway for 10 years, I'm now teaching musical theatre and dance full time at The University of Florida. In this class, we'll explore some exciting choreography from "Once Upon a One More Time" We'll also talk a little about college auditions and what it means to have a long and successful career in the musical theatre industry!!!
PRESENTER BIO: BROADWAY: Disney’s Aladdin, Anything Goes with Sutton Foster, Nice Work if You Can Get It. NORTH AMERICA: The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, The Old Globe, The Goodspeed Opera House, PCLO, and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. TELEVISION: Iron Fist, The Mysteries of Laura, Blue Bloods, The Detour, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tony Awards, and Nickelodeon’s The Backyardigans. COMMERCIAL/PRINT: PNC Bank, Huggies, Baby Jogger, Vanguard, and Cheerios. @ufmusicaltheatre on Instagram @andrewchoreography on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Auditioning 101
presented by Joshua McKinney, Harrison School for the Arts
Location: Fieldhouse Meeting Room G
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College
This workshop is designed to help aspiring performers create a standout audition package for college applications. Participants will learn how to choose a monologue that highlights their strengths and fits the requirements of college programs. We'll discuss selecting a professional headshot that captures your personality and makes a memorable impression. You'll also get tips on building a resume that effectively showcases your experience and skills. For those applying to musical theater programs, we'll cover how to pick and perform a song that best demonstrates your vocal abilities. By the end of this workshop, you'll have a polished audition package that sets you apart from other applicants and boosts your chances of getting into your dream college.
PRESENTER BIO:
Joshua McKinney is currently teaching acting and playwriting at Harrison School of the Arts and serves as the Production Coordinator for Central Florida Community Arts. In addition, he works as a freelance voice teacher and audition coach. With a rich background in directing, performing, and teaching globally, Joshua holds an MFA in Musical Theater from San Diego State University and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA.
Joshua McKinney is currently teaching acting and playwriting at Harrison School of the Arts and serves as the Production Coordinator for Central Florida Community Arts. In addition, he works as a freelance voice teacher and audition coach. With a rich background in directing, performing, and teaching globally, Joshua holds an MFA in Musical Theater from San Diego State University and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA.
BLOCK 12:
4 pm to 5:30 pm
Suitcase Stories
presented by Sara Brunow, University of Montevallo (Inclusion Division Chair, Florida Theatre Conference) and Caitlin Rose, Florida State University/Asolo Rep
Location: TWH Cabaret Room
Appropriate Age Group: Youth, Middle School, Professional Development
Do you LOVE a good story? In this workshop, become part of a storybook while learning how to use your mind, body, voice, and senses to make it come alive! Participants experience storytelling in dynamics ways and practice using everyday objects to make their favorite storybooks even more extraordinary.
PRESENTER BIO: Sara Brunow (she/her) is a theatre maker, teaching artist, and arts administrator who has worked within education and community engagement departments of professional theatre companies around the country (Orlando Family Stage, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars, and Asolo Repertory Theatre). She has a BFA Music Theatre (Shenandoah Conservatory) and an MFA Theatre for Young Audiences (University of Central Florida) and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Theatre at University of Montevallo. Producing Credits: Tommy Tune Awards (2016-2019, Theatre Under The Stars); Public Works Houston (2019, Theatre Under The Stars), Asolo Rep On Tour (2019-2023, Asolo Repertory Theatre). Awards: Tom Behm Professional Development Award (SETC, 2016), Emerging Leader in Arts and Culture (Glasser-Shoenbaum Foundation, 2024). Sara is a member of the Florida Theatre Conference Board where she serves as the Chair of the Inclusion Division. Theatre is for Everyone!
Caitlin Rose is a third year MFA graduate student at FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Recent credits include: Don Pedro/Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing at Asolo Rep, Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Piknik Theatre; and with FSU/Asolo: Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and Julie in Miss Julie. In addition to a passion for all things Shakespeare, Caitlin is a figure model, director, and teaching artist. “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
Caitlin Rose is a third year MFA graduate student at FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Recent credits include: Don Pedro/Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing at Asolo Rep, Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Piknik Theatre; and with FSU/Asolo: Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and Julie in Miss Julie. In addition to a passion for all things Shakespeare, Caitlin is a figure model, director, and teaching artist. “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
Pairing Heightened Language to Heightened Movement
presented by Uma Paranjpe, Atlantic Acting School
Location: TWH Game Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College
An exploration of the imaginative work needed to bring the actor into the mindset needed to access heightened emotional circumstances that do not come about in daily life. An "outside-in" approach, this workshop provides the tools to make big choices in larger-than-life situations.
PRESENTER BIO: Uma Paranjpe (she/they) is an actor, playwright, and teaching artist. She most recently appeared as Pi to close the Broadway run of Life of Pi at the Schoenfeld Theater. Off-Broadway: Short Stack (Ma-Yi), tango of a crumbling wall (Teatro Latea). Regional: Life of Pi (American Repertory Theater), Much Ado (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Queen (Theatreworks Silicon Valley), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Catskill Mountain Shakes). Film: Beast (Tribeca New Voices), King Lahiri (Amazon Prime). Uma currently teaches at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City, and out of her home in Brooklyn. BFA Musical Theatre: University of Miami. umaparanjpe.com | @superumapuma
Making Costume Jewelry for the Staage
presented by Evelyn D. Tyler, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Workshops Chair for Florida Theatre Conference)
Location: TWH Large Art Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
In this creative and fun filled workshop, learn more about the process and materials used in designing and making jewelry from different materials. Participants will be able to design and create their own unique pieces for the stage by hand building/manipulating clay.
PRESENTER BIO: Evelyn D. Tyler is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Generalist at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee. Tyler’s outside professional activities include workshops at the Florida Theatre Conference (Gainesville, Fl), Southeastern Theatre Conference (Lexington, Ky), Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Americus, Ga), National Black Theatre Festival (Winston-Salem, NC), Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (Jacksonville, Fl), United States Institute for Theatre Technology (Seattle, Wa), The International Black Theatre Festival (Winston-Salem, NC) and the International Collegiate Theatre Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland).
Laban Techniques for the Actor
presented by Landon Green, University of South Florida
Location: TWH Ballet Room
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College, Adult/Professional Development
Use Laban Technique (a Dance philosophy) to map out, block, and illustrate a character's, or characters', journey. Understand defined qualities of movement through space and apply them to the use of the voice. Beneficial for novice and veteran actors and directors.
PRESENTER BIO: Landon Green is a Tampa-based actor and entertainer; graduating from USF, receiving his MFA from West Virginia University. His stage work has been seen at Stageworks, Jobsite Theater, Next Generation Ballet, The Tampa Repertory, Think Tank Theatre, Silver Meteor Gallery, St. Pete Shakespeare Festival, and others. As a clown and stilt walker, Landon's character work has been found at The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, The Franklin Vault, and at various other venues through Odd-O-T's Entertainment, Bay Breaks Entertainment, and Aerial Dragons Entertainment companies. He has also taught, designed, and directed with a number of those companies and with The Patel Conservatory and American Stage. Landon currently instructs courses and workshops in Scene Study, Movement, and Voice at the University of South Florida.
Droznin Russian Movement for Actors
presented by Rachel Kelsey, National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Location: TWH Mat Room
Appropriate Age Group: Middle School, High School, College
Program Representative and Teaching Artist, Rachel Kelsey, draws upon teaching techniques of NTI master teacher and Artistic Director, Rachel Jett to bring you this workshop. Droznin is a Russian movement style that originated at the Moscow Art Theater in Russia by Andrei Droznin. The goal of this work is to forge/identify a connection between body and mind as well as body and soul. That way, when an individual feels something, their instinctual response will be to express themselves. Additionally, Droznin has described his method as "living movement" - stage movement that blurs the boundaries between dance, mime, and vernacular gesture. This, in turn, allows the audience to identify with performances in additional depth. Rachel Jett is the first American teacher of Droznin, as she studied directly under his guidance in Moscow, and we are thrilled to bring FTC a taste!
PRESENTER BIO: Rachel Kelsey (She/Her) is an actor, singer, dancer, and creative artist originally from Omaha, NE. Additionally, serves as program representative and a teaching artist for the National Theater Institute (NTI) at the two-time Tony award winning, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Here, she travels across the country to offer workshops in a variety of artistic disciplines as well as bring awareness to the institution, otherwise known as the launchpad of the American theater.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Business minor from Drake University, in Des Moines, IA. In addition to studying at Drake, she also spent the Fall of 2022 in Connecticut, studying with NTI’s Music Theater program. While traveling for the O'Neill and teaching at various conferences, festivals, and institutions throughout the nation, Rachel is actively involved in the theatre scene as well as seeking additional theatrical opportunities. To get in touch, email ntirep@theoneill.org or itsrachelkelsey@gmail.com.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Business minor from Drake University, in Des Moines, IA. In addition to studying at Drake, she also spent the Fall of 2022 in Connecticut, studying with NTI’s Music Theater program. While traveling for the O'Neill and teaching at various conferences, festivals, and institutions throughout the nation, Rachel is actively involved in the theatre scene as well as seeking additional theatrical opportunities. To get in touch, email ntirep@theoneill.org or itsrachelkelsey@gmail.com.
Auditioning 101
presented by Joshua McKinney, Harrison School for the Arts
Location: Fieldhouse Meeting Room G
Appropriate Age Group: High School, College
This workshop is designed to help aspiring performers create a standout audition package for college applications. Participants will learn how to choose a monologue that highlights their strengths and fits the requirements of college programs. We'll discuss selecting a professional headshot that captures your personality and makes a memorable impression. You'll also get tips on building a resume that effectively showcases your experience and skills. For those applying to musical theater programs, we'll cover how to pick and perform a song that best demonstrates your vocal abilities. By the end of this workshop, you'll have a polished audition package that sets you apart from other applicants and boosts your chances of getting into your dream college.
PRESENTER BIO:
Joshua McKinney is currently teaching acting and playwriting at Harrison School of the Arts and serves as the Production Coordinator for Central Florida Community Arts. In addition, he works as a freelance voice teacher and audition coach. With a rich background in directing, performing, and teaching globally, Joshua holds an MFA in Musical Theater from San Diego State University and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA.
Joshua McKinney is currently teaching acting and playwriting at Harrison School of the Arts and serves as the Production Coordinator for Central Florida Community Arts. In addition, he works as a freelance voice teacher and audition coach. With a rich background in directing, performing, and teaching globally, Joshua holds an MFA in Musical Theater from San Diego State University and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA.