Workshops, details, and registration listed below. Master Workshops run on Saturdays. Times and prices may vary.
Limited Scholarships Available. To inquire, please email lbrown@circletheatre.org
EXPLORE AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS
COSTUME DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
DESCRIPTION:
Join Costume Designer Jess Luiz for a fun and friendly 4 hour workshop open to participants with beginner to advanced sewing skills! Learn about the costume design process from script to stage and bring your own sewing machine, or utilize one of our shop machines, to construct a “stock” costume piece to bring home.
*Most materials will be provided and prepared by the theatre, so participants must fill out the google form at registration to allow us time to prepare! There is a $10 supply fee (in addition to the master class fee) already included in the total cost. Some snacks will be provided during the class, Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Jess Luiz has been a part of Circle Theatre as a performer in mainstage production, concerts and season kick offs, and as a Costume Designer and the Costume Shop Manager. She has also performed and costume designed for Actors’ Theatre, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Aquinas College, GRCC, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, as well as other local theatres and school programs. When not designing or performing, Jess can be found teaching theatre arts to kids and adults of all abilities throughout West Michigan, as well as singing and dancing with her two young children.
THE ART OF FARCE
DESCRIPTION:
Farce is a genre of comedy that has been in existence for centuries. Farce involves exaggerated scenes and shallow character development. The plot of a farce often contains role reversals that go against social conventions, unexpected twists, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and physical humor. A special brand of comedy, farce requires a particular concentration and attention to detail and a willingness to commit totally and honestly to a ridiculous set of circumstances.
Circle Theatre’s 2025 Season contains two farces: Girl’s Weekend and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. Award winning actor and director, Todd Avery, will walk you through the steps of successfully acting in a farce. This workshop will give you the opportunity to hilariously dive into your character, make big choices, learn from others, and, most importantly, have fun. Be prepared to get on your feet and get your Farce on!
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and a light snack.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Todd Avery is very excited to return to Circle Theatre’s audition workshops. He recently retired from directing and teaching theatre (for the Farwell Area Schools and Jenison Public Schools) after 31 years of service. He has been a part of the Grand Rapids area theatre scene since 1996, acting in and directing for a number of theaters in dozens of shows. Most recently, he went back to his high school roots and directed 2024’s Mary Poppins for Hudsonville High School and will return to direct their production of Shrek the Musical in 2025. Todd looks forward to helping actors prepare for the 2025 Circle Season auditions and get their “farce” on! May the Farce be with you.
DIRECTING FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE
+ IN COLLABORATION WITH CTAM
DESCRIPTION:
Directing ain’t easy! Reading the script, planning rehearsals, re-reading the script, meeting with designers, eat/sleep/breath the script, pre-blocking your show, casting the show…and we haven’t even gotten to conducting rehearsals or character development. So how do you conquer such a task and do it effectively, especially in community theatre, where we don’t have all the resources of a professional company? This session will be a culmination of best practices to consider utilizing before, during & after your production. Gathered from over 30 years of community theatre experience, these best practices aim to help you feel more confident as you take on your first production as a director or hone your skill for your next one!
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Bill Anderson has been an avid community theatre volunteer for over 30 years. He has worked in nearly every facet of community theatre including performing, stage management, properties design, lighting design, set design & directing. Bill’s list of directing credits include titles such as The Prom, Kinky Boots, Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, Avenue Q, Ragtime, Shrek, The 39 Steps & a production of Urinetown that placed 2nd at the 2011 National AACTFest. Bill lives in Midland, MI with his two wonderful kids and works as a Training Specialist for Corewell Health.
EDUCATE
Master Workshops are all about educating the community. From on stage to behind the curtain, and even up to the light box, Circle brings together theatre professionals to teach you the ins and outs.
ENRICH
What better way to enrich the community than to share knowledge. We know that there are roadblocks in the theatre community. Master Workshops are one simple way to break down those roadblocks and share knowledge for future generations of enthusiastic theatre lovers.
ENTERTAIN
We all have gifts that we want to share with the world and Circle Theatre has a stage set and ready for you! Master Workshops help you hone your craft while focusing on better communicating your message to your audience.