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WORKSHOPS

The following are three very different workshops. I offer a free 30 minute phone or zoom consult to chat about what might work best for your group. After we have the Who, What and Where in place I’ll devise a plan, and then we’ll hit the deck. Numbers of participants are an important part of sculpting a workshop and so be as specific as you can in terms of your goals. Feel free to use the Contact form for more details and pricing. 

1. Improvisation & Play: The Sandbox

This workshop is ideal for integrating improvisation within the workplace and your local community.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

 Play and improvisation go hand in hand. To improvise we need to reach agreement and choose to say ‘yes’, and then find in ourselves a willingness to play. In this class we will observe how the two forms are related and agree to collectively dive into the sandbox and play. 

 With solo and ensemble play we learn to empathize, socialize, adapt to new situations, problem solve, innovate and play. Play also helps us see that success can come from failure, and this is how we learnThere is a reason why companies like Google have installed fireman’s poles, sandboxes, and slides in their work spaces. Play equals creativity and innovation, and is more necessary than ever for work and building our communities. In this 2.5-hour workshop. We will focus on play and improvisatory theatre games that allow for both movement and relaxation, and ask of participants a collective curiosity, and willingness to explore, as we once did in the sandboxes and colouring books of our youth.

-Vocal, physical warm up, focus on breath and articulation

-Agreement, Making & Accepting Offers

-Being present

-Ensemble Play: Spontaneity & Fun

-Thinking Creatively

2. Making Funny 

In this three hour workshop students will study classic comedic sketches from Abbot & Costello, Nichols & May to contemporary Second City scenes and sketches. Students will identify comic devices, “action” the script,  discuss premise, and comedic points of view, while encouraged to make the strongest physical and vocal choices to lift the funny off the page.  Depending on time available, a second session may be added to host a mini sketch presentation where family and friends are invited to laugh along at the fruits of our comedic labour.  

*Scripts will be made available for student use.

 3.Improv A Go Go! (Young adults & teens)

Want to create fun, comic characters and scenes by making them up on your feet?  This workshop could be for you!

In this 2.5 hour Improv class, (ages 12-18), we will play a series of group improvisatory exercises and games with the end goal of creating an original scene or two with unique, comic characters. Our primary focus will be working and playing towards a set list of favourite improvisational games.  

Our improv will involve movement so be sure to wear loose, comfy clothing, and bring a water bottle along with a willingness to explore and create new stories.  Our time together will involve:

Vocal, physical warm up

Making & Accepting Offers

Ensemble Play

Creating character, scenes, and set list.  

 Your Improvisation Instructor:

  Melody is a professional actor who has toured both Canada and the UK extensively. She has been nominated for various awards for her work in both comedy and drama and has won Toronto’s prestigious Dora award for her work as the titular character in Morwyn Brebner’s Little Mercy’s First Murder/Tarragon-Shaw Festival, and originated roles in It’s All True and Well. The last few years Melody has enjoyed touring her own shows (Miss Caledonia and Person of Interest) in addition to voiceover work on radio, tv, and online.  Other favourite theatrical credits include:  Assassins/MTC, 7 Stories/ Theatre Calgary/CanStage (Betty Mitchell award nomination), Trout Stanley/Factory Theatre, I Think I Can YPT/NAC, Our Town/Two Planks, (Merrit nomination), Blithe Spirit/Soulpepper, An Awkward Evening with Martin & Johnson with Bob Martin, (The Drowsy Chaperone)

An alumna of The Toronto Second City, Melody has also directed both the Mainstage and Touring Companies, comedyturged Chicago Second City’s #DateMe,  and directed the Dora award winning One Night Only musical improv show. When not in the theatre, Melody teaches and directs at the Humber School of Comedy and enjoys family time. 

 

 

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