Friday, July 13, 2012

What are you learning?

In the first week of class the ensemble read the entire play for understanding. In a series of classes, voice and speech work and finding a physical neutral were introduced as was technique.  Expressing character with large body choices, playing with status onstage, the idea of play for actors, the experience of an audience, exploring with text without trying to make immediate sense of the words, and size were other elements of craft that were also explored. Confronting personal barriers and fears, which rises out of necessity when training as an actor, was also discussed.

Students are invited to share their experience at the end of each week on this blog. Some questions to comment on might include: what challenged you the most this week? what stood out to you most? what are you learning about yourself as an artist? what are you learning about yourself as a human being? 

The cast for Coriolanus follows:



Group A
Jeffrey - Coriolanus
Devante - Menenius
Trevor - Cominius
Lizzy - Lartius
Jennifer - Brutus
Aliyah - Sicinius
David - Aufidius, Fourth Citizen
Casterline - Valeria, Volscian, Fifth Citizen
Kiera - Volumnia, Third Citizen (I.i)
Kayla - Virgilia, First Citizen (II.iii)
Lueshen - Second Citizen, First Soldier
Helen - First Citizen (I,i), Third Citizen (II.iii), Second Soldier


Group B
Yordy - Coriolanus
Karoline - Menenius
Emily - Cominius
York - Lartius
Fania - Brutus
D'Asia - Sicinius
Andy - Aufidius
Ebony - Valeria, Fifth Citizen
Aisha - Volumnia, Third Citizen (I.i)
Tajaye - Virgilia, First Citizen (II.iii)
Mohammed - Second Citizen, First Soldier
Dailyn - First Citizen (i.i), Third Citizen (II.iii), Second Soldier
Mariel - Fourth Citizen, Volscian 

43 comments:

  1. This Summer Shakespeare program is one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had! and if I'm saying this after just one week, I can't wait to see how I'll feel after a month! The thing I like the most about this program, is that besides the immense amount of knowledge we get to strengthen our acting skills, Stella Adler focuses too in giving each person essential tools to grow as a human being. This week I learned I don't know much, and it's ok, no one does! being humble is beautiful, and accepting you don't know, opens your mind to learn a lot from your environment and the people that surround you. I'm extremely lucky to have this opportunity, and that I can share it with my awesome group and mentors from whom I learn so much every day. I'm also very much looking forward to this exciting journey we are in!
    - Fania Suarez

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  2. It's really amazing how much I have leaved in only ONE week at Stella Adler. I've learned about my body, my mind and the way I perceive things. I like the feeling of seeing familiar faces everyday, like my mentors and my Group B cast mates. Today I learned that its okay to be lost, and scared and to be goofy is AWESOME. I'm really looking forward to next week.

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  3. The Stella Adler Shakespear program is unlike anything I ever thought it would be! It's awesome! It's so much fun, the excersises we do in class are actually really helpful and interesting. I come to class the next day not expecting anything that happened to HAPPEN! What I love is how humble all of the teachers are, they actually care about helping you become a better actor and they make you feel extremely welcome and comfortable in their play areas. I've learned sooo much in only my first week at Stella Adler! And I'm so happy I was given such an amazing oppurtunity to work with such amazing people :)

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  4. I had an amazing first week, I loved going to class everyday and not knowing what to expect. I learned so much about being an actor and about my voice and body. But, most importantly, I learned how to just be human and remember that I will not always know everything which is something I sometimes forget. I also learn that its important to let go and not worry about what others are thinking. Can't Wait for next WEEK !!!!!

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  5. This program allows me to let go and become more open with not only my self but with others. I'm working alongside people who are extremely talented and hardworking . It's truly a life changing experience. The teachers are amazing and warm. This program shows you that its ok to be weird and different. In other words just being yourself.

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  6. My first week at Stella Adler was amazing.Everything is just so open. I learned A LOT just in five days. Not only do i feel like i am learning and exploring things about characters but also about myself. The teachers are great they make the environment very comfortable to be in. I am loving it all the people, the Shakespeare, and all the valuable knowledge i gain. Excited for next week!
    -Jeffrey Espinal

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  7. The Stella Adller Shakespeare program ... It sound boring but you would not believe how amazing... Awesome and wonderful the camp can be .. It's my first week and I'm falling in love with acting more...
    Well, what could I say about the camp? Well I can't describe it I have no words... It's the best camp of acting ever.. It's the first week and I feel like I have learned a life changing experience ... Now I know why I love acting ...

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  8. The Stella Adler Shakespeare program was great ! It was not at all what I thought it would be. I had so much fun and I do look forward to the next 4 weeks !

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  9. The Stella Adler Shakespeare program is absolutely amazing. It is like a sanctuary for artistic people like me. You can lose yourself in a role, and are allowed to play in a play.

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  10. The Stella Adler Summer Shakespeare program is an amazing experience, and were only one week in. The excersises we do in class are helpful in ways that later reveal themselves and they are interesting. You can never guess what Carlos might do next, he has bizarre, yet very engaging and meaningful methods. Emily gives us a great understanding of the variety of sounds we can make and how to use them, how to breathe properly and much more. Our director goes in depth with our text to help discover the meaning of what we are saying, we also do several exercises that help focus the actor. All teacher encourage eye contact and free, straight posture. I am beyond excited to see what I can discover within these upcoming weeks.

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  11. THIS PROGRAM IS AMAZING ! The Stella Adler Shakespeare program is a wonderful experience and I can't believe That we have gone throught only ONE week. In one week I've meet new amazing people that have the same love for Acting as I do. In only one week I've learned so much that I didn't know about acting, and during one week I've built up my confidence by like a lot ..... Which is weird ...... But awesome. And I can't wait for week two. Summer Shakespeare program week two ... Here I come :D


    -LUESHEN SWAINSON

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  12. this program is pretty great! I've had a wonderful experience with wonderful people within just a week. Its what i look forward to everyday when i wake up, its truly blessing to be in it, and i cant wait til next week! :D

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  13. It was very thrilling and enhancing to be participating in this program, I extracted myself from my comfort zone in the second day of the week and already became very sociable with everyone in the group; each of us found one thing that brought us together, whether a hobby, lifestyle or the enduring love for acting. I myself am excited to provide my best effort for the show just weeks away, can't wait to see what week two has stored for us!

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  14. It has only been the first week, and I've learned so much. My goal as an actress is to always go deeper, deeper than deep. And, for the first 5 days we went deep, we never started out cold and then made our way up to hot, we started hot. And, I guess a life goal for me is to always go deeper. Deeper in finding who I am, and what I am..
    -Helen B

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  15. Last week was very unique to me because I never went to a summer program that could help get rid of my insecurities. I am getting a really good interpretation we should keep our body in neutral stance for all activities. I love the crazy excersices we do because I feel like 7 years old again. I hope we do a lot more of those. Stella Adler is like going to yoga and its helping me become a better person. I want to forget about people and not remeber them so much and I am pretty sure it will grow as we move on in this program.

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  16. I can honsetly say that i had an amazing first week at stella. I have already learn so many new things. i was challenged to face my fears and that made me realize alot of things about my self as an person and a actress. This program is truly amazing and i am more than lucky to be apart of it. Working with other young people that are just as eager to learn and grow as iam makes me more comfortable and even more excited to grow as an essemble. i cant wait to see what else im going to learn over the next four weeks.

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  17. This experience has just been out of this world for me. I've managed to learn so much in just one week, it honestly feels like its been longer than that it really does. Carlos' exercises are honestly freaking hilarious and have taught me that being an actor isn't about memorization and lines, its about being able to get in front of people and express who you are as a person through the character you're portraying, thank you guys!

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  18. The Stella Adler summer Shakespeare program has to be what's definitely going to make my summer. I feel so grateful and lucky to have gotten accepted into this program. Everyday I learn something new about the art of acting/theater and about myself. I learn so many things about the body and about life as well, things I've always wondered about but was never able to put my finger on. It feels so great to be able to escape and do what I truly love. I've met some amazing people this week and I'm really looking forward to the next 4 weeks with them. I baby wait to see what the next few we has in store for me. I am seriously excited!

    - Casterline

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  19. The stella Adler program has been very great thus far and i am very thankful for being apart of it very much, The Students, Staff and the Lessons are all great, And contribute in a very posititive way to the experience of the program. I am very pleased and thankful for getting this opportunity, This will only keep getting better. Thank You, Stella Adler.

    - York

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  20. This first week at Adler has already been a fun experience. I've never worked with a vocal/speech coach before so it has been interesting learning how important breathing and pronunciation is to enhance stage presence. All of my peers seem to be dedicated and ready to work which is even more motivation for me to do better as an actress. Can't wait to start pulling the play together!

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  21. The first week at Stella Adler was not what I expected at all, but in a goos sense of the term. Not only do we simply jump into learning a play and learning to act, but we learn to grow character in ourselves as artists, actors, and human beings. I very much enjoy doing vocal exercises, as well as exercises and warm ups to help us to not be afraid of judgment and embarrassment in the theater. I am quite excited to see how the next few weeks will turn out!

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  22. The first week of of the program was amazing, not only i am learning a better way to keep developing my acting techniques but i am learning a better way to develop my character and create this amazing connection between me and the role i am playing. i am learning about this great energy that flows in my body and how i need to used to make my character come to life. there is a time your body need to be relaxed and that's a character most powerful moment. i am learn so much and i cant wait to see how the next few weeks go. i am thankful for this opportunity.

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  23. The first week of the program was excellent I have learned more about myself as an actor and also a human being . The techniques really work no matter how silly they may appear . They help you get rid of your fears , gain confidence , body control etc. I've never worked with a vocal specialist or a director and here it provides that oppurtunity . Im looking forward to the upcoming weeks at the studio.

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  24. the week i been going to stella alders program i growth alot. i learned to connect more with my inner self. i also learn to when you on stage your voice is your power and strength. this taught me to be more comfortable with my body.

    -Ebony

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  25. this summer program was one of the amazing thing that i ever do in the summer time. its fun and good for the summer time to do. my first week in the program i really love it was very fun. we went over a fun play - it was good - and get to learn cool things about my body and voice as an actor.

    - mohamed

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  26. This week I learned that I think too much. I realized that I get so caught up in "acting well" that I lose what's important; THE SCENE! I've learned that my talent is in my choices. Maybe my director will hate my choice or maybe they'll love it. Either way I have to come to any rehearsal or audition with choices for my character that I am proud of.

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  27. This week we started rehearsing, and my role in this play will be my greatest challenge. I am sure that by the end of this program, I will have grown as an actor.

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  28. The second week, was amazing. we have started blocking the play and i very excited because i want to see how far i can push my self to make my role believable to the audience. Thanks to my voice and speech teacher i learn the importance of my choices has an actor, and this is why people get the role; to make choices and decision that the director would never thought about. i am happy to see how next week goes.

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  29. My second week at the Stella Adler program was great ! I continue to learn new things that will make me a better actress. Emily our voice teacher is so much fun and always surprises me with the new excercises she teaches me. I think I will continue to grow and progress as an actress in Stella Adler! (:

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  30. my second week at Stella Adler was great. This is the first week we began blocking the play and we got thru a lot just in a short amount of time. I am becoming more responsible and dedicated and starting to see that Hard work does pay off i am looking forward to next week.
    -Jeffrey Espinal

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  31. my second week at adler was beyond amazing not only do i feel like i can just have fun with the choices i make in how i chose to act out a part but i also feel like adler teaches us as individuals that if you try too hard you lose not yourself but others around you so its okay to just try and mess up because thats what rehearsal is for, and at adler they teach us that if you practice and practice and practice and do more practice! you will begin to understand not only the scene but also your character itself. im always looking forward to this program its literally the highlight of my day, everyday. -karoline

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  32. So I honestly didn't think it was going to get any better than the first week but I was wrong, now that the cast's been assigned and we're running through the play it feels pretty good preparing for a show. Learning how to get into the character is a lot more work than it seems but I am really grateful for this opportunity, thank you everybody!

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  33. You know what I loved? ...acting as if I was in the militia ! I never knew how serious and fun it would be. :)

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  34. Carlos had us to say something like "I am here, I am present, I am an actor". And I loved that because that's who I am :)

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  35. This week at adler has been great as usual, I'm going steadily into my character and now know what i must do to become my character. The following last weeks will surely be a challenge but as always a fun challenge that i am anxious to get to meet head on. As always adler has been great and i am excited to see the plays final outcome.

    - York

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  36. Ok now its crunch time, we're working on blocking and exiting with energy that both the actors and audience can feed on so everyone can have a good time, last week at adler has been an awesome experience as usual, just a great experience all around and im so grateful that I was accepted!

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  37. In this week of the program we finished blocking. This is very exciting now because we can now focus on studying our charecters and scenes more. I am excited now for this week so now i can focus more on making myself more in sync with the charecter i play.Time too start working really hard!

    -jeffrey espinal

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  38. Well this week has been amazing .. Incredible I can say that .. I'm not the same actor as I was before ..bathos program is amazing we finish blocking .. And now we're focusing on memorizing the lines .. I think we will be ready for the show ... 'cause I am ..

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  39. Only a few more days until we perform ! I'm exciteddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

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  40. This past week at stella adler has been great, As usual. This past week has helped me get to know my self and my group members better and also has helped me with making big decisive choices for my character for the play. Unfortunately this program is coming to an end but i will try to make the best of what's left, And simply enjoy !

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  41. The final week, man this has just been incredible. I think we're getting a grasp on how to immerse ourselves in our characters and the scenes, I am just soooooo excited about the show!

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  42. This week we got nearly everything down pack, now next week we will really fix the nuts and bolts and make a really good show. I am very excited and cant wait to show people what we have accomplished together!
    - Jeffrey Espinal

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  43. Its been great these past few weeks and im really sad that it has to come to an end. In the end im excited about how we all kind of found our characters and learned how to play with them . Im excited for the show ..

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