Henley Street Theatre and CenterStage Announce Partnership to Offer Acting Workshops

Henley Street Theatre and Richmond CenterStage today announced a partnership to offer three acting workshops for students and adults during the month of November.

These workshops will be instructed by award-winning performers and directors and will take place at CenterStage’s Genworth BrightLights Education Center at 600 East Grace Street in Richmond.

“We’re thrilled to partner with one of our Resident Companies, Henley Street Theatre, for these acting workshops at our facilities in Downtown Richmond,” said Richmond CenterStage Executive Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. “CenterStage was created, in part, to be a catalyst for arts and culture throughout the region, and these workshops are another fantastic way we work to bring our mission to life!”

A complete list of workshops can be found below:

Auditioning for the Camera
Saturday, November 10 (10am to 1pm)
Class Limit: 15
Cost: $35

Award-winning actress and director Dawn A. Westbrook has not only participated on the front lines of the audition process from NYC to England, but she has held a seat behind the casting desk as well. In a situation that can easily become the most nerve-wracking and scary life has to offer, Dawn has worked for years trying to demystify the commercial audition room.

This workshop will focus on how to prepare, relax and enjoy yourself in a commercial audition whether it be 30 seconds or 30 minutes. Learn some quick acting techniques and internet technology that will give you concrete ways to shine in your craft!

Auditioning for the Stage
Saturday, November 17 (1pm to 5pm)
Class Limit: 15
Cost: $35

Award-winning director and playwright Bo Wilson has watched several thousand auditions over his career, and he has noticed that even very fine actors tend to make the same few mistakes over and over again.

These mistakes, which Bo thinks of as "blind spots," range from understanding of the audition process to interpretation of text and clarity of action. The good news is that these issues can be easily remedied with just a bit of careful and attentive work.

Stage Combat: Fundamental Skills and Concepts
Saturday, November 17 (10am to 12pm)
Class Limit: 14
Cost: $35

Kevin Inouye is a certified teacher and advanced actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, an award-winning fight director, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Masters in Theatre Pedagogy program, and sole proprietor of Fight Designer, LLC.

This class is designed to give the working actor and student actors a quick crash course in the staples of theatrical violence, including punches, slaps, hair pulls, and falls.

Participants should wear clothing that allows a full range of comfortable motion, including on the floor. Large jewelry, loose long hair, and other potential hazards should be avoided, as should open-toed shoes, heels, or heavy boots (athletic shoes are best). Come prepared to work/play/sweat!