Classes & Workshops
All classes and workshops are held at the O'Reilly Theater. Some financial aid is available. For more information, contact Rob Zellers, Director of Education & Outreach, at 412.316.8200, ext. 715.
Winter Youth Workshops
2008-2009
Sign Up Now for Winter Youth Workshops!
Intro to Stage Combat
This workshop will show you how to swordfight like your screen idols and teach you how to safely execute such fighting moves as punches, slaps, chokes, and kicks. Just how do these actors make their fighting (armed and unarmed) look so real? Now you can find out. All moves are 100% guaranteed safe and fun.
January 19, 2008 Fee: $70Intro to Stage Management
Learn what it takes to stage manage a one-act play to a full-blown musical. This workshop provides you with an overview of a stage manager's responsibilities during rehearsals, technical rehearsals and performances. All participants create a working script -- to be used as a reference for future productions -- and receive useful stage management forms and templates. No previous experience necessary.
January 17, 2009 Fee: $50
Intro to Costume Design
Learn the main principles of design - balance, color, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and unity. Discover how a costume designer approaches a script; noticing the importance of each and every character's costume changes, personality, and economic and social status, which all come into play when creating an individual and overall design. Examine costume renderings and pieces pulled from previous Pittsburgh Public Theater shows. All participants complete a hands-on activity and receive educational materials. No previous experience necessary.
January 31, 2009 Fee: $50
Winter youth workshops are designed for students ages 13-17. Times are 10:00am - 2:00pm. For more information contact Rob Zellers at rzellers@ppt.org or 412.316.8200 x 715.
SUMMER YOUTH CLASSES
2009
-COMING SOON-
Acting Workshop: Scene Study (Ages 13 -- 17)
This popular two-week workshop that features some of the Public's best guest artists as instructors focuses on the actors' character development, objectives, subtexts, and scene work. As always, experienced and new actors are welcome; dedication and enthusiasm are the only prerequisites.
Introduction to Playwriting and Screenwriting (Ages 13 -- 17)
This three-week introductory course is composed of intensive writing exercises that illuminate the basic tenets of playwriting and screenwriting. Students are encouraged to find the dramatic connections between their work and their personal experiences. This course culminates in a reading of the students' work by a company of professional actors.
Acting Workshop: Making It Real (Ages 10 - 12)
How does an actor make it real? How do you make the audience believe you? During this two-week workshop, students are guided through an exploration of the basic skills of acting that address these questions. In-class exercises in improvisation, character development, and movement help students find truthfulness in the art of acting.
Acting Workshop: Shakespeare Intensive (Ages 13 -- 17)
If you are interested in learning more about classical acting, this class is for you. Students approach Shakespeare from an actor's perspective, using the text and verse to aid in character development. This workshop also focuses on vocalization and movement exercises. This class culminates in an actual performance of one of William Shakespeare's works. Experienced and new actors are welcome; dedication and enthusiasm are the only prerequisites. Enrollment is limited to a company of 20 actors.