acting class starts friday may 3 2019
An unusual series of exercises that will allow you to add more to your treasure trove of skills.
JOIN US!
A theatre grounded in the performance of works by classic authors including, but not limited to, Shakespeare, Middleton, Heywood, and their contemporaries; Aphra Behn, George Lillo, Ford, Webster, Otway , etc.
“Style is knowing what kind of play you are in.” said John Gielgud.
We believe this.
We strive for theatre based on a foundation of technique, daily practice, and historical knowledge of the time in which the story is being told.
We request the pleasure of your company at the theatre!
artistic director
Jennifer Ciceri Doyle began her artistic life as a singer, having earned a B.Mus. from U Vic majoring in Voice. Performing with the Pacific Opera chorus as well as playing Mrs. Peachum in the U Vic Opera Ensemble's production of Threepenny Opera deepened her love of the Theatrical Experience, and convinced her there was more to be learned; accordingly she studied in a conservatory style training program at George Brown College Theatre School in Toronto where there thrived a strong classical foundation with training in voice, speech, dialect, movement, dance, theatre history, storytelling, and foundations of acting technique. During her time in Toronto, she was fortunate to work with some terrifically interesting people on many fascinating projects, including playing Audrey in the “unrehearsed” As You Like It at duMaurier World Stage, the new Canadian work Not Long Nowunder the direction of Diana Leblanc, and producing and directing a production of Vaclav Havel’s Unveilingat the Toronto Fringe. After more than twenty fulfilling years in Toronto, she moved back to her hometown of Victoria, where the artistic community was growing exponentially.
While supporting her acting and directing habit by working at the Victoria Film Festival as well as dispatching trucks for a local towing company, Ms. Ciceri Doyle worked with the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Langham Court Theatre, and also in the Victoria Fringe in a memorable production of Lady Audley’s Secret directed by talented local artist Wendy Merk. Ms. Ciceri Doyle is currently a Master’s Candidate in Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) at University of Victoria. Her research interests include medieval reading and the “fourfold sense of scripture” or Quadriga and its influence on audience reception and interpretation of public readings, storytelling, and theatre; Catholic and Protestant social, political, and religious influences on the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries as well as on the work of Caroline playwrights such as Ford and Webster; and Early Modern English orthography and punctuation and their disputed influences on performance practice. She continues to perform, coach, teach, and direct, and is crackerjack at dialects.
Praise
“… impressive was Jennifer Ciceri Doyle… a
highly accomplished performance.”
“Doyle threatened to turn the afternoon into a variety show. ”
““. . . As You Like It, Solo is an absolutely stunning showcase both of Doyle’s versatility as a performer and her familiarity with the play. If you were mounting a traditional production of As You Like It and cast in her literally any role she would put in an admirable performance. It is delightful to watch such an experienced actor show what they can do in such a condensed format.””
about “the ZONE OF SILENCE”
What is the foundation of all that we do? How might we find that foundation, that deep centre, and plumb its depths? How do I find my story? And how do I sustain that story?
Before the magic of poetry begins, there must first be an impulse.
What happens in that liminal space between the impulse and the spoken word?
In this class we will learn about, experiment, and practise within that space.
Through a series of exercises in the zone of silence, we develop a deeper focus, more clarity in our thoughts and intentions, and a greater ability to listen. We develop those skills that are fundamental to the work we do as actors.
The Zone of Silence begins with you.
if the above sounds too wondrous strange and ponderous . . .
who should take this course?
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY?
then here is another perspective from a recent series of ZoS classes offered in Toronto which might better speak to you:
This course lays down clearly and simply the whole foundation of the craft of acting.
It is designed ideally for a group of some ten to twelve students with reasonable balance among the genders. It is an intense, meticulous process which, nevertheless, will not be rushed. Each participant will come equipped with a fresh notebook and pen or pencil, to capture on the wing all thoughts and observations that occur as the work unfolds. Entries may be made during classes and at any time between. Well kept, they are a private journal of individual progress in understanding, becoming ultimately one’s own personal manual of acting.
This course will be of benefit to any adult performer 19 years or older who wants to keep their instrument primed. It is suitable for both experienced performers and also for those who are just starting out on their artistic journeys. In addition, opera singers and ballet dancers who take this class will gain insight into how an actor prepares, and will find this work useful for their own preparation. Singers, dancers, musicians, and performers of any idiom will learn skills in this class that will allow them to develop a more grounded stage presence and enter more deeply into the stories of their own respective disciplines. Anyone whose curiosity has been awakened when learning of this class; anyone who has the interest and is willing to make the commitment will benefit from participating, whether experienced or not.
Mindful of the impecunious nature of our trade, and while we gauge how much interest there is in the artistic community, this first training program will be offered at a discounted rate. Please enter the code ZONEOFSILENCE at checkout when you register, and you will be charged the significantly discounted rate of $125.
The Zone of Silence training program is comprised of eighty hours of instruction. It is a six hundred dollar value (at least!);the regular investment for this training will be set somewhere between five and six hundred dollars.
It is a good time to register then, while you can still train for cheap!
when do i have to be there?
You must attend every class. Just as one would never miss a performance, one should never miss a class; this is a commitment. We do understand that life happens — because it happens to us too! But our aim as artists must always be to be committed, consistent, and reliable. Prompt and regular attendance reflects our commitment to artistic excellence and growth.
Bearing in mind that there is a long weekend in each of May, July, and August, I have structured the schedule so that the full eighty hours of training will be completed by July 14. For this spring-into-summer session, we begin with a weekend intensive on Friday evening May 3 at 6:00 pm and Saturday morning back to back; we perform this gathering ritual a total of twelve times! The class starts promptly at 6:00 pm Friday night and goes till 9:30 pm; we then return the next morning, Saturday, at 10:00 am and work till 1:30 pm. sometime around However, in order to finish the training before the May long weekend, we may redistribute the last ten hours of the course so that the full training will be completed by Saturday May 10 or Sunday May 11. Once it is clear how many people are registered, the instructor will consult the group to gauge whether or not artists are interested in adjusting the schedule. Possibilities of redistributing the last ten hours of the course include one or two weekend intensives, or simply adding an hour or two to several of the days we normally work, or a combination of those options. For now, however, you should plan to be available Friday nights and Saturday mornings from Friday March 8 until the end of May.
fringe SHOW summer 2018
As You Like it, Solo
Arts funding being how it is not,” growled the
producer, “We’ve cancelled our production of As
You Like It. You’re all fired. Unless someone
has a better idea.” “The show must go on!” cried one brave, seasoned artist. “I’ll play all the
parts myself!"
Another great Shakespeare/Doyle collaboration - 60 mins – All Ages – Costumes All Seats $9
Jennifer Ciceri Doyle: The Actor and Singer
Douglas Hensley: The Lutenist
Griselda Wiffenpoof: The Director
