CarrieAnnQuinn

Carrie Ann Quinn is an actor, director, and professor of acting, movement, voice, improvisation and directing at University Massachusetts Boston. She is a founding member of Escape Artists Theatre Company, a NY/Sydney based international theatre company (www.escapeartiststheatreco.com). Actor/Playwright: Possessions, Australian Premiere, 2014 (King Street Theatre, Sydney, AUS) and American Premiere, 2013 (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Boston USA). Selected works, Actor: New York: Seagullmachine (Flamboyan Theatre), Tattoo You (Off-Bway Clurman Theatre); Regional: An Ideal Husband (Gloucester Stage); The Communist Dracula Pageant (American Repertory Theater); The Hothouse (Huntington Theatre); Frankie & Johnny in the Clare de Lune (The Warehouse Theatre); Los Angeles: Shoe Man, Seven Keys to Baldpate, Keys to the Kingdom (Theatre Unlimited). Directing: Quilting the Sun (Centre Stage SC), Sincerely (Chopin Theatre). Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Education from Boston University; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from New York University; Professional study at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

The American Method, as taught by Lee Strasberg, was a major influence in realism in American theatre and film in the last century. In the 21st century, as more and more non-realistic plays, experimental works, physical-based theatre and devised pieces are produced around the globe, the Method can surprisingly be a fantastic way for theatre artists to approach non-traditional works. A Method for a New Millennium is an acting master class in which actors explore how they can use a personal, sense memory approach, with "re-vamped" Method exercises, to find heightened and expressive behavior to create characters not governed by traditional given circumstances. We will also investigate this method as an alternative audition technique: helpful in developing strong, unique choices on the spot.

The Lee Strasberg Acting Method, also known as “the Method”, is the acting technique created by Lee Strasberg (1901-1982), inspired by the father of psychological realism, Konstantin Stanislavsky (1863-1938), celebrated Moscow Art Theatre actor and director. The Method, practiced by The Group Theatre, the Actors’ Studio, and celebrity actors like Brando, Monroe and Pacino, quickly became the dominant influence on actor training and performance in American theatre and film by the end of the 20th century. Nowadays, however, the Method is often criticized for popularizing overly-naturalistic acting tendencies, creating self-indulgent actors too heavily vested in emotion, or actors limited to performing in only realistic plays. Thus, in the last decade, with the increased production of non-realistic plays, experimental works, physical-based theatre and devised plays around the world, theatre-makers have been quick to dismiss the Method as old-fashioned and “inapplicable.”

I could not disagree more: In my research and practice, I have found the Method can be a fantastic way for theatre artists to approach non-realistic works. Between a decade studying the Method at the Lee Strasberg Theare Institute, and another decade creating devised and ensemble-based theatre, I have practiced integrating the seemingly antagonistic question of working “inside/out” versus “outside/in” with A Method for a New Millennium (MNM). The MNM acting workshop is one in which participants explore how to use a personal, sense memory approach, with "re-vamped" Method exercises, to find heightened and expressive behavior to create characters not governed by traditional given circumstances. MNM is applicable to any genre or style of play- especially those that involve non-linear story-telling, heightened acts of imagination, or voyages into fantasy. In addition, MNM can be used as an audition technique to quickly develop bold, unique choices at a moment’s notice.

The workshop begins with the entire group exploring 5 “re-vamped” method acting exercises followed by volunteer partnering work and cold reading rehearsals of scenes (provided). There will be a ten-fifteen minute Q&A at the end. No experience necessary – open to participants of all levels and disciplines. Please wear clothing easy to move in.

PAST CONFERENCES

Organized by IUGTE in collaboration with "ArtUniverse"