Endless Opportunities -- A Reality Check

Master Class being conducted for theatre students.In a recent three-day timeframe, students met with – and learned – from Todd Horman, Shaw and Walsh. Horman, a former student of College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean Paul Kreider, is an original cast member of "Urinetown, The Musical." Horman met with WIU cast members of the production, which will be performed Feb. 25-28 on Western's Macomb campus. A few days later Walsh, director of the School of Theatre at the University of Windsor-Canada, presented a workshop on Michael Chekhov acting techniques, while Shaw, the artistic director of ColeBeanBay, presented a master class and held auditions for musical theatre students.

According to David Patrick, WIU theatre and dance chair, the workshop session with Horman really provided a reality check about surviving in the business, while the audition workshop with Shaw provides the students further insight into what a casting director looks for. The Chekhov workshop demonstrated yet another approach to creating a character on stage, he noted.

“The professional theatre world is harsh and any input provides our students with another vitally important tool to help them survive,” said Patrick. “Objective input from guest artists during these workshops provides fresh views of the skills the students have attained and areas for improvement, and students really gain self-confidence in their skills from feedback through guest artists.”

Invigorated, Enthused and Motivated

Jillian Weingart, a senior musical theatre major from Genoa City, WI, participated in the audition workshop with Shaw. She agreed with Patrick's opinion that the input from those in the field is "important and necessary.

"I love the workshops that are provided to us. It gives students yet another opinion about our performances."

-- Jillian Weingart, Senior (Musical Theatre Major)

"I love the workshops that are provided to us. It gives students yet another opinion about our performances. The real world is a hard place for an actor and it's easier if you have people and places to go that will help you learn," she said. "It's great that Western gives us these opportunities -- and fits them into our busy schedules. Landon was a blessing. He really was here to teach us how to be our best."

Gary Brice, a senior theatre major from Alton (IL), added that it's not everyday that students get to attend a Chekhovian acting workshop – at no cost.

"I knew I couldn't miss out on an opportunity like this," Brice said. "It not only made me more aware of my physicality on stage, but also helped me to better envision different environments."

Master class on Michael Chekhov acting.Graduate theatre major Danny Pancratz of Dubuque, IA participated in workshops with Horman and Walsh. He noted that Horman was an "intriguing resource into the world of 'Urinetown: The Musical.'

"Lionel's workshop on the Michael Chekhov technique left me invigorated and enthused. The exercises helped me connect the dots on some of the physical characterization I had been working towards with my character in 'Urinetown,'" he said.

Pancratz added that Shaw's workshop was insightful and stimulating.

"He really helped us further hone the skills we develop in our classes and rehearsals into an audition package that shows potential employers our talent and personality," Pancratz said. "I followed some of his advice at an audition the next day and it may have landed me a summer job."