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 FOR BEGINNERS
DESCRIPTION:
Join Costume Designer Jess Luiz for a fun and friendly 4 hour workshop recommended for beginning sewists. Learn about the costume design process from script to stage and utilize our shop sewing machines to learn some basics in costume construction!
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
*Participants must be age 14+ to register
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.
DIRECTING FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE 2
DESCRIPTION:
A follow up to last season’s DIRECTING FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE 1, join us as we continue to dive into the best practices of the work we do as community theatre directors in the rehearsal room. Together we will learn about staging, character development work, the art of giving feedback and the importance of intimacy coordination.
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
*Participants must be age 18+ to register
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.
COSTUME DESIGN FOR THE STAGE 2
DESCRIPTION:
Join Costume Designer Jess Luiz for a fun and friendly 4 hour workshop recommended for intermediate or advanced sewists. Learn about the costume design process from script to stage and utilize our shop sewing machines or bring your own machine as we explore some of the fun (and sometimes odd!) sewing techniques used in theatrical costume design!
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
*Participants must be age 14+ to register
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.
INTRODUCTION TO STAGE MANAGEMENT: PRE-PRODUCTION TO POST SHOW
DESCRIPTION:
The Stage Manager plays a vital role in every production. They are involved right from the start of the process and see the show through to its end. This class will help you to develop the planning, organizing and leadership skills you will need to be a successful Stage Manager. We will cover creating paperwork, how to put together a prompt book, and coordinating communications. You will learn how to keep rehearsals and productions running smoothly. From Pre-Production to Post Show, you will see that the Stage Manager is the force that keeps the collaboration going.
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks or a lunch.
*Participants must be age 16+ to register
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Rhonda Lehan has been a part of the community theatre scene in Grand Rapids for over 25 years! She has a degree in theatre which she regularly puts to use while working as a Stage Manager, Director, Teaching Artist and Properties Designer for local educational, professional and community groups. She is on the teaching staff at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and runs both a high school and a middle school program for different schools in the area. Rhonda has taught and led theatre workshops on a State and National level. A lifelong volunteer, Rhonda is passionate about helping out in the community and can be found at any activity her family is involved in!
AUDITION BEST PRACTICES & NEWSIES AUDITION PREP
DESCRIPTION:
Get a head-start on Newsies auditions! Join Circle Theatre Newsies Director/Choreographer, Mikey Winslow for a Newsies Audition Prep master class. Participants will learn what to expect for the Newsies dance audition along with tips on audition “best practices” and vocal auditions for musical theatre.
– Workshop A: 1 hour of what to expect dancing in Newsies. This will not be a tap workshop, this will be jumps, turns, and a quick combo.
– Workshop B: Best audition practices along with 45 minutes of discussing singing auditions for Musical Theatre (with a demonstration). *There will be time for a couple volunteer participants to work their material with Mikey in front of the class.
– Workshop C: 1hr+ Tap combo, and basic tap skills/vocabulary for Newsies at Circle theatre.
*Participants are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Participants should wear clothing in which they feel comfortable moving/sweating. clean tennis shoes or dance shoes are also required (socks won’t be good). For the tap dancing students, wear either tap shoes or character shoes.
*Participants must be age 14+ to register
*If participants would like to bring a prepared audition cut of a song, they are more than welcome. However, only one or two volunteer participants will be selected to do a little “masterclass” style work.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Mikey Winslow began his theatrical journey in Grand Rapids and was last seen on the Circle stage as the dancing rug in Beauty and the Beast (2006). After earning a BFA from WMU, he pursued a career on Broadway, achieving his dreams and performing in numerous Broadway shows. During the pandemic, Winslow returned to Michigan and obtained a master’s degree from WMU. He now lives in GR with his wife, Emily, and their son and is proud to work as a teaching artist and director/ choreographer in the same community that inspired him as a youngster.
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.