INTRODUCTION TO DEPTH IMPROVISATION AND ACTION THEATER 

This workshop is most appropriate for participants who wish to learn about the basics of physical improvisation using the Action Theater form. Whether you're a skilled performer or just interested in expanding your creative pallet, this introduction to Master Improviser, Ruth Zaporah's Action Theater will provide you with new techniques and perspectives on improvisation, creativity, and performance.  Participants will be guided through a series of exercises that address movement, vocals, and narrative. How these three elements of performance can work in concert and each contribute to content will be explored. Also highly encouraged for people who have been playing in this world for a while and want to strengthen the foundation of their work.

Please wear clothing appropriate to comfortable moving.  We also work in our bare feet on a wooden floor.  If you need to support your feet, please wear dance shoes that won't mar the floor surface.

INTERMEDIATE CLASSES
This workshop focuses on the extension of exercises and techniques explored in introductory classes and helps participants put together all the pieces to start doing performance type improvisations.  Working in trios, duets, and solos, participants will also learn techniques that can help them to stay grounded in the experience of each and every moment so that the resulting improvisations are just as much a surprise to them as they may be to an audience. Students learn that the application of an "idea" on to the improvisation can actually be quite limiting as they learn to trust body wisdom and imagination in concert with the mental processes.


ADVANCED CLASSES
Typically four hours long, this workshop is spent with a minimum of skill exercises and a maximum of mixed-score improvisations. Participants should have a good working knowledge of Action theater language and will be challenged by a deeper investigation about what makes a good improvisation great. Participants will have ample opportunity to participate in improvisations as well as providing audience for each other.

RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOPS

Living in community, spending time in the wilderness, and improvising for five hours a day can help deepen the work and create more profound insights in the development of participants improvisational journey.  Workshops are held in the beautiful northern New Mexico wilderness on a soft wooden floor studio overlooking craggy rocks, towering pines, and a river. Fees are all-inclusive, meals are vegetarian. Check schedule for next offering in OCTOBER 2010.

SOLO WORK AND SUB-TEXTUAL CONTENT

Whether you are familiar with Action Theater/Depth Improvisation work or not, this workshop will give specific insight into the wonderful world of solo improvisation.  If you've been on the fence about that one-person show, improvisational play can help root out the story in hibernation for your next scripted piece.  We will explore the sub-textual aspect of solo work and in the process be able to mine rich, uncovered content.  This class is open to all individuals who desire to learn or learn more about solo work. Prior Action Theater work isn't necessary, but the training will be driven by the AT/DI techniques.

INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

Linda is available to teach private lessons for individuals or groups.