Local thespians are being offered a chance to brush up on their craft with a series of Directing and Acting Skills workshops this weekend.
The workshops, hosted by Townsville Little Theatre and run by Jason Klarwein from Brisbane’s Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe, aim to strengthen Townsville’s local theatre community.
Townsville Little Theatre (TLT) Committee President Jacinta Ryan said the company had a long history of nurturing Townsville’s emerging performing artists and technical crews.
“Many performers involved in ‘higher profile’ shows get their start in TLT productions,” said Jacinta.
“By providing workshops focused on Directing and Acting Skills, TLT is aiming to build greater community capacity, skills and knowledge in these particular fields, generating a strong, vibrant future for the theatre community in Townsville.”
Jacinta said that while Acting Skills Workshops are in high demand, nurturing up-and-coming Directors is pivotal to the future of community theatre.
“Directing is a critical element of theatrical performance. The Director sets the creative vision for the play and brings together all elements of a production to a unified whole – the script, actors, set, costuming, lighting and sound. It requires a specialised skillset,” Jacinta said.
“While there are a number of experienced Directors in the Townsville theatre community, there are limited opportunities provided locally for skills development in this area.
“As the Director is such a critical component of creating a theatrical experience, TLT sees these Workshops as essential in building organisational growth and success. It is anticipated that these workshops will give hands on training and development in this sphere,” said Jacinta.
This is the second in a series of Skills Workshops being hosted by Townsville Little Theatre and funded by the Regional Arts Development Fund. The first, Set Design and Construction facilitated by highly sought-after local set builder Glenn Shield, saw a range of participants collaborate on the set construction for TLT’s recent season of The Opposite Sex.
TLT’s Directing and Acting Skills Workshops will be held for two age groups on 22 & 23 May 2021.
