Gale Theatre Company is excited to announce our 6 week Physical Actor Training course taught by Artistic Director, Katherine Wilkinson. This 6 week course will help actors improve their balance, coordination, endurance, focus, ensemble awareness, vocal range, and presence onstage. 

The central tools used for learning will be The Viewpoints and Suzuki Method of Actor Training (descriptions below). Katherine Wilkinson has trained in the Viewpoints and Suzuki with Anne Bogart and the SITI company, The Suzuki Company of Toga, as well as Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre (Australia). The combination of the Viewpoints and Suzuki method together create an actor who is both incredibly strong and wildly flexible. 

The training room is an inclusive and supportive space that welcomes anyone who wants to challenge themselves and engage in professional and personal growth. Whether you work in theatre, film, dance, or another type of performance, honing your physical skills is essential to being present and versatile onstage. The course is open to all who wish to explore their physical capabilities and is highly recommended for actors (film and theatre), dancers, movers, directors, musicians, designers, teachers, and students. 

When: Saturdays, 10:30am-12:30pm
Dates: March 12, March 19, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23
*NOTE: Based on the participants availabiity/schedule, there will be one make-up session held to ensure that everyone gets the full 6 weeks
Location: A private studio in Travis Heights

REGISTER NOW

A bit more about the methods…

The Viewpoints: 

The Viewpoints is an improvisational technique largely inspired by post-modern dance and was initially developed by choreographer Mary Overlie. Her approach – the Six Viewpoints – breaks down the two dominant issues performers deal with – time and space – into six categories. Artistic Director Anne Bogart and SITI Company have expanded and adapted this approach for actors. The Viewpoints maximizes the intuitive chemistry and spontaneity within a group of actors to quickly generate bold, theatrical work. Emphasis on flexibility, articulation, and strength in movement and makes ensemble playing really possible.

Suzuki Method of Actor Training: 

The Suzuki method was developed by acclaimed director Tadashi Suzuki and the Suzuki Company of Toga. The training method works to build awareness of the human body – especially its core center with a focus on breath control, concentration and footwork in an effort to heighten the actor’s natural expressiveness and emotional and physical commitment to the theatre. The physicality and discipline of the method is inspired by Japanese and Greek theatre, ballet and martial arts.

Along with the viewpoints and Suzuki methods, we will also incorporate Grotowski, Feldenkreis,and Impulse training into our lessons to help actors explore a myriad of physical techniques.

A bit about the instructor…

Katherine Wilkinson (www.katherinewilkinson.com) is a theatre director, producer, writer, performer and teacher. Originally from San Francisco, she is currently based in Austin, TX. She is the co-founder and producing artistic director of Gale Theatre Company (www.galetheatre.org) . Katherine specializes in the development of new works and ensemble devised performance. She has trained, taught, directed, and performed internationally in Australia, Japan, Greece, London, and India. Katherine holds a degree in performance studies from UNC Chapel Hill and has previously worked with: The SITI Company, Suzuki Company of Toga, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London), Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre (Brisbane, Australia), The VORTEX Repertory Company and The Magic Theatre (SF) among others. Her work aims to be visually arresting, emotionally compelling, physically daring, and dedicated to the enduring (and relentless) power of live performance.