Rubicon Theatre Company Offers Acting Classes Beginning in March

Rubicon offers process-oriented acting classes for kids (beginning at age five) and adults. These programs focus on developing skills and technique, basic theatre terminology, building confidence and stage presence, learning proper voice techniques and developing an awareness of body language through character work, and other fundamental techniques through improvisation, scene study and theatre games. We operate in a nurturing environment where participants are encouraged to increase their comfort zone and participate at their own pace.

Classes provide participants the opportunity to study with "teaching artists." Teaching artists are Working Theatre professionals who hold a high level degree or experience in voice and speech, acting, playwriting, Shakespeare, movement or audition techniques. With an average class size of 15, these courses offer close interaction and individual attention and culminate with a final presentation of the student's work for family and friends.

Prices of classes range from $185-$310. To read more about specific class information, such as starting/ending dates, pricing, and class synopses, please visit the Education and Outreach section of www.rubicontheatre.org.

Acting (Ages 5-7): A perfect introduction to the world of theatre! Students play imagination games and learn the elements of storytelling. This is an excellent class for young readers. On the last day of the workshop, family and friends are invited to a presentation of the students' work.

When: 8 Saturdays
March 12, 2011 - April 30, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Final Presentation on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $185
Instructor: Alison Freeman

Acting (Ages 8-10): This is an introductory class that exposes students to scripted scenes and monologues. Students will learn memorization techniques, stage presence, listening and working together with a scene partner as they work on contemporary scripted material. Preliminary exposure to acting is beneficial but not necessary. This is an excellent class for young actors who are ready to take the next step. On the last day of the workshop, family and friends are invited to a presentation of the students' work.

When: 8 Saturdays
March 12, 2011 - April 30, 2011, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Final Presentation on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $235
Instructor: Alison Freeman

Acting (Ages 11-13): These fast-paced classes are challenging and great fun. In a nurturing environment, students learn self-assurance while acquiring intermediate acting skills. Script analysis and character development are taught through monologue and scene work as well as theatre games, voice and movement exercises and improvisation. Individual attention is given to each student and the class culminates in a final presentation for parents, family and friends.

When: 8 Mondays
March 7, 2011 - April 25, 2011, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Final Presentation on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Tuition: $285
Instructor: BrIan McDonald

Acting (Ages 14-18): These fast-paced classes are challenging and great fun. In a nurturing environment, students learn self-assurance while acquiring intermediate acting skills. Script analysis and character development are taught through monologue and scene work as well as theatre games, voice and movement exercises and improvisation. Individual attention is given to each student and the class culminates in a final presentation for parents, family and friends.

When: 8 Tuesdays
March 8, 2011 - April 26, 2011, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Final Presentation on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Tuition: $285
Instructor: BrIan McDonald

Acting (Ages 19+): This very popular class looks to further student's skills or try acting for the first time. Students focus on script analysis, character development, memorization techniques and stage presence while learning how to free the voice and body for individual expression. Contemporary scenes and monologues are chosen by the instructor for each student based on their personal needs and wishes. This is a fast-paced three-hour course that meets for 8 Mondays culminating in an informal final presentation for family and friends.

When: 8 Mondays
March 7, 2011 - April 25, 2011, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Final Presentation on Monday, April 25 at 8:00 p.m.
Tuition: $310
Instructor: Taylor Kasch

About the Instructors

BRIan McDonald (Education and Outreach Director) directed Rubicon Theatre's productions of Bus
Stop (nominated for an L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Best Production of a Play), Forever Plaid and A Rubicon Family Christmas. Other directing credits include Tennessee Williams' Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen, Hooters, Our Town, Little Women, Bye Bye Birdie, HONK!, Babes in Arms, Once on This Island, Schoolhouse Rock, LIVE!, Seussical the Musical, Footloose, The Great White Way, Godspell, Free to Be You and Me and Hello! My Baby. Before moving to California, Brian appeared in the National Tours of Miss Saigon and Forever Plaid. Other acting credits include Room Service (Denver Center), Gifts of the Magi (Theatre Virginia), Master Harold...and the boys and Shaw's You Never Can Tell (Lyric Stage), Grease (La Mirada Performing Arts Center), 3hree (Ahmanson), Musical Theatre Guild's production of Saturday Night (Pasadena Playhouse and Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center) and The Importance of Being Earnest and Man of La Mancha (Rubicon). Brian received an LA Weekly award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Gaveston in Circle X's production of Brecht's Edward II directed by Michael Michetti. In 2007, Brian was honored to receive a Mayor's Arts Award as "Emerging Artist" from the City of San Buenaventura. This past year his work in the community has earned him the Phi Delta Kappa Community Partnership Award and an Honorary Service Award from the California State PTA. Brian has been on staff at Rubicon since 2002 and served as Production Manager and Associate Producer before becoming the Company's first Education and Outreach Director. He is the founder and program director of Rubicon's Summer Youth Program, which offer training intensives in Musical Theatre, Drama and Technical Theatre. Brian is a B.F.A. graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance and Theatre. Presently, Brian is working with writer Cheri Steinkellner and arranger/composer Georgia Sitt on the further development of The New-Fashioned Musical Hello! My Baby, and is directing Rubicon's production of Master Harold...and the boys as well as the Festival of Talent Fundraiser for the Ventura Unified School District's arts programs.

TAYLOR KASCH began his career in the Theater at The American Conservatory Theater Youth
Conservatory under Ross and Lou Ann Graham. He appeared in a National Tour of The Fantasticks. Other acting credits include, Val in Orpheus Descending at Punchinello Theater (Minneapolis), Balm in Gilead (San Francisco), Geography of a Horse Dreamer (San Francisco), Lysistrata (LATC) and Speed The Plow (Flying H Group). Taylor received a Cultural Grant award for his spoken word opera, The Prince, based on Machiavellis' political treatise. He was the founding Artistic Director of The San Francisco Actors Theater, as well as the Flying H Group based in Ojai, CA. An award-winning director and actor, Taylor staged the West Coast premier of Kathyrn Anne Jone's Calamity Jane; the world premier of Beggars! the Musical, co-written with Richard Dewhurst with music by Jimmy Calire; and the Southern California Premier of Ray Harder's Song of Survival. Other Directing Credits include God's Country, Comedy of Errors, Female Transport, Big River, Turn of the Screw, Endgame, and Waiting for Godot. In addition to directing, acting and writing, Taylor is a noted acting teacher and was the on-set coach for the BBC series Out There in Australia. He was also guest teacher at NIDA in Sydney. His former students can be seen regularly on television and in films. Taylor was a student of Stella Adler and her protégé Jean Shelton for many years.

ALISON FREEMAN is excited to be teaching at Rubicon! She is a voice coach who has taught acting,
musical theatre and improv to all ages. She has also served as vocal director for middle school
productions of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors and more. As an actress, Alison has recently appeared in W;t, The Philadelphia Story, and A Christmas Carol at Actors Co-op in Hollywood. Alison's teaching philosophy is that she believes the imagination is a powerful tool. She loves to use games and exercises that help channel energy, emotions, and creativity into positive characters and stories. She focuses on teamwork, cooperation, and confidence- skills that students will carry with them wherever life leads!

To read more about and register for classes, please visit the Education and Outreach section at
www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-2912 ext. 230 for assistance.