This course will take participants through a variety of drama-based activities and culminates in monologue performances at The Courtyard Playhouse, our dedicated grassroots theatre space. It is a diverse course that is designed to be challenging and fun. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned professional or an absolute beginner, if you want to act in a professional theatre and work with like-minded, talented individuals then this is the course for you!
Monologues Lesson by Lesson Breakdown *Pre-course – participants receive their course pack and materials Session # 1: The Icebreaker Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre. Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pm Class#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm Session Overview: This session will be a ‘get-to-know-you’ practical workshop full of drama games and activities. This will be followed by a discussion about the outline of the course, your expectations and any questions. Homework: Look up monologue scripts online, in films or in bookstores. Bring one, or ideally two, hard copies of the monologue/s you have shortlisted. Session # 2: Spontaneous Improvisation Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre. Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pm Class#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm Session Overview: This session will be an introduction to spontaneous improvisation and its application in theatre. In this session we will explore games and exercises that will give you the confidence to improvise longer more complicated scenes. This will be followed by some feedback on your monologue selection. Homework: If you are still undecided on a monologue after feedback, use the resources we suggest to keep looking (session # 3 is the deadline to make your final decision). Bring a hard copy of your monologue to class. DRAMA DUBAI
Transcript
Monologues Lesson by Lesson Breakdown
*Pre-course – participants receive their course pack and materials
Session # 1: The Icebreaker
Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pmClass#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Session Overview: This session will be a ‘get-to-know-you’ practical workshop full of drama games andactivities. This will be followed by a discussion about the outline of the course, yourexpectations and any questions.
Homework: Look up monologue scripts online, in films or in bookstores.Bring one, or ideally two, hard copies of the monologue/s you have shortlisted.
Session # 2: Spontaneous Improvisation
Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pmClass#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Session Overview: This session will be an introduction to spontaneous improvisation and its applicationin theatre. In this session we will explore games and exercises that will give you theconfidence to improvise longer more complicated scenes. This will be followed bysome feedback on your monologue selection.
Homework: If you are still undecided on a monologue after feedback, use the resources wesuggest to keep looking (session # 3 is the deadline to make your final decision).Bring a hard copy of your monologue to class.
DRAMA DUBAI
Session # 3: Structured Improvisation
Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pmClass#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Session Overview: This session will be an introduction to structured improvisation and will culminate withparticipants creating five minute pieces of drama that are wholly improvised. We willuse the practitioner Michael Chekhov’s exercises on long-form improvisation as thebasis for our work.
Homework: Have the first half of your lines learned by the start of week 4.Consider costume, props and make-up and how you may apply these to your piece -be ready to feedback your ideas next week.
Session # 4: Scriptwork and Stagecraft
Venue: The Chalhoub Ballroom, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Date and time: Class#1: Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pmClass#2: Saturday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Session Overview: This session will address how we choose to apply our scripts to the stage. We willwork in small groups on a monologue and completely reinvent it; in terms of set, props,costume and sound. We will practice techniques to improve stage presence and toachieve an impact entrance.*
*At the end of this session appointments will be made for next week’s one-on-one rehearsals andphotography.
Homework: Have the second half of your lines learned for your one-on-one rehearsal.Consider the provisional ‘blocking’ / staging of your piece and be ready to beginincorporating it at the one on one rehearsal.Bring any costume, props or sound effects that you are intending to use in yourperformance to the one-on-one rehearsal.
Session # 5: One-on-one rehearsals and photography
Venue: The Studio, Al Wasl Road
Date and Time: *By Appointment
Session Overview: This session will be for all participants to run through their work with the director.This is your opportunity to get personalised feedback and run through your pieceseveral times. Any areas of your performance that need refining will be identified andyou will be told precisely what you need to do for next week’s technical rehearsal sothat you are confident and ready.
Homework: Work on the areas for improvement that were cited by the director at the one-on-one rehearsal.Source any costume, props or sound that are still outstanding and bring them to thedress rehearsal.
Session # 6: Technical - Dress rehearsal
Venue: The Kilichand Studio, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre
Date and Time: Full Cast: Friday 2pm – 9pm
Session Overview: This session will begin with a technical rehearsal where your lighting design isimplemented and the stage manager and the team will work with you to ensure thatyour set and props are on stage and in the right positions for when you need them.Your sound cues will also be finalized here. The tech’ rehearsal will be followed by afull dress rehearsal and videography.
Homework: Get a good night’s sleep!
Session # 7: Break a Leg! It’s Showtime…
Venue: The Kilichand Studio, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre
Date and Time: Full Cast: Saturday 6pm – 9pm
Session Overview: We will meet an hour beforehand and warm up. The show will then be handed overto the stage manager and it’s time for you to showcase all of your hard work. Breaka Leg!
Homework: Be smug and conceited to all of your friends; wallow in your stardom.
Session # 8: Presentation Evening
Venue: The Wilkie Bar, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts centre > St Maxim’s Restaurant.
Date and Time: Saturday 7pm onwards
Session Overview: This is a presentation evening where you will watch the video recording of your performances and be presented with your photography, DVDs, t-shirts and certificates.We will then go to a restaurant to celebrate.
