New York theatre director to run workshops at Nenagh's Blue Door
Emma Plotkin, a professional theatre director, choreographer, actor and teacher, will run workshops at Nenagh's Blue Door creative space in January and has a free introductory workshop coming up on Monday, December 17th.
Emma graduated from Bennington College, a top-ranked BA drama programme in the United States. She currently teaches at Spotlight Ireland.
Her focus is to help all actors feel comfortable and prepared when auditioning, building a character, doing scene work and working on their speaking voice. She also works in new play development and enjoys teaching directing, devising and choreography classes.
Emma has worked with internationally acclaimed directors, including Robert Wilson, winner of an Olivier and Drama Desk Award; Ann Bogart, who adapted Viewpoints for theatre, and founded SITI Company; MacArthur Genius Award and Dance Exchange Founder Liz Lerman; Kristian Hanngi, Broadway director known for Rock of Ages and Zai Alikhan, resident director of Hamilton.
Below are details of the workshops:
Audition Preparation:
As a theatre director, Emma has seen thousands of auditions and can help you avoid the mistakes that can make or break an audition, understand what distinguishes and makes an actor shine, how to be memorable and successful in your career. She has a very high success rate because she combines her own experience with years of training in Stanislavski, Meisner, Alexander, Suzuki, Viewpoints, Grotowski, Mask work, Puppeteering, Movement work and Dramaturgy. She’s taught classes with young people, college students and professionals and is happy to teach at any level.
This is the ideal class for all levels and experience. It’s all worth it when you enter an audition and feel more confident than ever! Learn the top tips to getting cast!; Choose the perfect monologue, scene or musical number; Prepare for callbacks; Eliminate bad habits like nervous energy and fidgeting; Feel rooted, relaxed and focused; Fully embody a complex character; Learn how to respond honestly without a scene partner; Create a nuanced and honest emotional text; Develop a rich and dynamic speaking voice; Discover gesture, shape and habitual movements; Connect your mind and body.
Directing Theatre:
As a theatre director, Emma has worked in many genres including children’s shows, comedy, physical and experimental theatre including devised, participatory and movement work. Through the years she’s developed a way to break down the artistic process. She will introduce you to script analysis, blocking, collaboration and putting on a fantastic production. As a director, she combines her experience with years of training in Stanislavski, Meisner, Alexander, Suzuki, Viewpoints, Grotowski, Mask work, puppeteering, movement work and dramaturgy. She’s previously worked with students and professional actors.
Warm up your actors; Effectively communicate with actors, designers and crew; Break down a scene into episodes, beats and reversals; Help actors to invest on stage with emotional prep; Communicate clear and concise notes to actors; Learn the most useful ways to conduct research; Organic blocking and viewpoints; Movement directing and choreography; Devising techniques; Help your actors be louder and more articulate on stage.
The weekly workshops will commence on Monday January 7th. The cost is €15 per person; if you bring a friend you get a discount. Below are the times of the workshops every Monday (including the free introductory workshop).
Audition preparation: 6pm-7.30pm; Directing Theatre 7.30pm-9pm. If you are interested you can sign up at the free introductory workshop.
Any questions, email or call Joanna on joannaryanpurcell@gmail.com / 087-9588073.