Foundation 3 with Dave Dennison (#1270)

Schedule: 6 sessions; once a week for six weeks
Class Dates: Sundays, February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28; 11am - 2pm
Class size: 12 students maximum
Class length: 3 hours (18 hours total)
Prerequisite: Foundation 2

This six-session workshop is designed to help improvisers work on specific skill development through scene work.

The goal of the class is to give you direct feedback about your individual improv work. Coaches will help students identify ways in which they can more fully embody the basic improv principals, as well as identifying areas for improvement.

The focus in Foundation 3 is on performance-oriented scene work, ensemble, character, acting, and other advanced improv skills. The smaller class size gives students more opportunity to work in class and gives coaches a chance to provide more detailed evaluation and feedback. Since the there is a focus on your individual work, Foundation 3 is a great tune-up class for students of all levels and can be taken multiple times.

The first class session includes a group discussion to outline the each student's personal improv goals and objectives. The middle four classes will use exercises to give the coach a chance to observe students work and give side coaching and feedback.

The final class will include a 10-minute one-on-one session with the coach to review progress, make note of specific areas to work on, and to make recommendations for student's progression.

Students who attend at least five of the six Foundation 3 classes are eligible to move on to Performance 1. However, at the final Foundation 3 session, the coach will provide specific feedback to the player and provide a recommendation for the next class. For example, the coach may suggest that the player would be well-served to take Foundation 3 again and work on a particular aspect of their play. However, it is at the student’s discretion as to the next class they take.

Students who want to continue on a performance track with BATS should work on embracing success with the following skills:

Be enjoyable

    * Are you fun to watch?
    * Are you fun to play with?

Be spontaneous:

    * Pay attention
    * Make eye contact
    * Accept offers
    * Yes, and

Be a good team player:

    * Make your partner look good
    * Develop professional theatre behavior
    * Display flexibility when dealing with fellow players

Fill the theatre vocally and physically:

    * Have good vocal projection
    * Move with flexibility and comfort on stage
    * Use stage picture to enhance scenes
    * Practice good space object and where work

Tell stories:

    * Follow and serve the narrative of the scene
    * Work within the circle of expectation
    * Support the context of the scene

Demonstrate versatility:

    * Play a variety of believable human characters
    * Explore styles and genres