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Workshops
Rich has used
drama with groups in every age group from nursery school to retirement
centers. He has also worked with people at every level of experience
from beginner to college student to professional. Here is a representative
list of some of the workshops he can bring to your group:
Sociodrama:
This dynamic technique can be used on its own or in conjunction
with any of Rich's plays or presentations. Rich leads groups in
an exploration of a theme which the group helps define. Individuals
act out the theme in a specific scenario. Rich uses several techniques
to direct the action in ways which explore the theme most valuably.
Once the action is completed, Rich leads a discussion of what was
learned through the process. Rich's masters thesis was based on
a sociodrama program he taught.
Sociodrama
for Playwrights: Plots and dialogue can be created and reworked
using this technique. The author can see the characters moving,
hear them talking, and even know their thoughts, and then take that
back to the keyboard. Attendees are encouraged to take what was
discovered in the workshop and use it as a springboard for their
own work.
Sociodrama
for Actors and Directors: Though non-actors can benefit greatly
from sociodrama, it can be a very powerful tool to help directors
help actors. Scenes which are referred to, but not seen in plays
can be brought to life through sociodrama, so that the actors actually
have a memory of what they're describing in the play. The emotions
of characters can be explored in ways that are helpful to everyone
involved.
The Physical
Actor: Rich has been described as "the converted version
of Jim Carrey." Rich has developed a workshop in which he teaches
how to develop a character from head to toe. This is Rich's most
popular workshop.
Writing for
Stage and/or Screen: Rich has written a majority of the plays
that he performs around the world. In his workshops he shares insights
he's learned from his own work and from those who taught him: Tina
Howe (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony and the OBIE),
Jerome Coopersmith (Hawaii 5-0, American Christmas Carol), Eric
Bentley (Chief Translator for Bertolt Brecht), Lee and Janet Batchler
(Batman Forever, Smoke and Mirrors), and Sean Gaffney (Veggie Tales).
Sociodrama for Sunday Morning
Because of the flexible nature of sociodrama, it can be used in
the Sunday morning service to explore the chosen scripture dramatically
and then live out the principles found in the text in a modern scenario.
For churches open to this kind of "sermon" the results
can be profound and literally life-transformational. In the scripture
exploration section members of the congregation (or workshop) come
to the stage to step into the roles of the people in the text. The
director interviews them and some dialogue takes place, where appropriate.
It is not at all an attempt to rewrite scripture but rather a technique
whereby the feelings and emotions behind the text can be explored
and experienced. In taking the application into the here-and-now
the participants create a scene based on the themes of the scripture
to which they've been warmed up. People go away with a better understanding
of the scripture and how to apply it to their own lives.
If there is something specific you'd like Rich to address for your
group and it isn't listed here, he'd be glad to come up with something
that fits the bill.
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