Description
In this workshop we’ll build up that all-important thing in acting: the connection with your scene partner. Part of the problem we face in scenes is we really aren’t paying attention! So we’re going to learn how to listen up, improve our ability to tell what’s going on with the other actor, get through to them better, and build that relationship. In other words, we’re going to turn speaking a series of lines into really connecting with someone and making acting a living thing. In this workshop we’ll build up that all-important thing in acting: the connection with your scene partner. Through a combination of improv, script-based work, and of course—paying attention!—we’ll tune right in to what’s really going on and make our acting work more exciting for both ourselves and for the audience.
In this Level 2 workshop we will be practicing our basic Meisner exercises, as well as putting a large focus on scene work with scripts. There will be lots of improvising as well, and as always our focus will be to emphasize how much working with scripts should always feel fresh and surprising, just like an improv. All participants will have a scene partner assigned prior to the start of the workshop, as well as scripts provided for you.
Please Note: If you would like to take both Level 1 and Level 2, you must register for each. For those wishing to do so, there is a discount available—you can take both courses for a total of 200$. For more details, please write to [email protected].
Teacher Bio
Peter Giser is a director, actor and singer who has been performing for over 20 years in Montreal and New York. Originally trained as a musical performer, Peter turned more fully towards acting while in New York, studying at the Strasberg School and later becoming a member of The Michael Chekhov Theatre Company. Peter also began producing and directing in New York, which he now continues to do in Montreal through his own theatre company, Snowglobe Theatre. His knowledge and training include Stanislavski work, Strasberg, Meisner, Michael Chekhov technique, Shakespeare performance, and commedia, among other styles and methods. Peter puts a large focus on developing talent and skills, and has been offering workshops in Montreal to the artistic community since 2019.
Links to Peter’s work, reviews and media attention
- Montrealtheatrehub.com
- imdb.com
- Snowglobetheatre.org
- Westmountmag.ca
Workshop Breakdown
Week 1 : Into the Fray!
The participants continuing on from Level 1 will continue from where we left off, and those newly joining for Level 2 will try out the exercise I’ll have sent by email. After that, we’ll all dive right into scene work and improvs!
Week 2: Into the Frying Pan
As we keep up our Meisner exercises and scene work, we’ll find that it’s not so easy to transfer our Meisner skills to scenes. Here we will really press how much we need to let go of our control of the scenes and play off our scene partner.
Week 3: Into the Woods
We’ll probably have new scene partners by now, and we’ll be looking even more closely at how much we need to make our scene partner the #1 objective in our work. Putting demands on our partner is where the real adventure comes from, and to never know where the scene will go.
Week 4: Into the Fire
In our final week we’ll recap what we’ve covered and finish our scenes for the workshop. What we will find is that focus on the scene partner, through use of the Meisner exercises, is what brings the real fire and life into a scene.
Testimonials
“Absolutely loved the class. Peter is such a dedicated teacher like I have rarely seen in the arts.”
“Peter is an amazing, validating and talented teacher. He is always open to answering questions and he makes sure that everyone feels seen.”
