Overview
Take a deep dive into classical and heightened text performance! The three-week concentrated course will focus on essential techniques for performing Shakespeare and Elizabethan theatre, Greek theatre, poetic text, and heightened adaptations. Advanced acting students will uncover the intentions of this language and learn to perform and actualize the text with physical, emotional, and vocal clarity.
This class is ideal for actors auditioning for classical works at their educational institutions, for students preparing for college, advanced actors seeking to round out their training, and lovers of classical literature who want to improve translating their intellectual understanding onto the stage.
For the first class: Students should bring two printed classical or poetic monologues (1-2 minutes in length) with which they are familiar. Students will be provided with additional materials including scenes and poetry for exploration during the class.
This class is for the intermediate-advanced performer and/or the classical literature enthusiast who is dedicated to in-depth, rigorous study.
Ages: 14-22
Dates: Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
November 7, 14, and 21, 2024
Tuition: $215
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, VA
Program Faculty
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte is a working actor, teaching artist, and theatre/film maker with a long history of audition coaching for college and graduate admissions as well as for school and professional work. She has served on the faculty of the Identity School of Acting and the Artists’ initiative, worked for summer programs like the University of the Arts Pre-College Program and the Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory, and has served on numerous panels for collegiate and training program admissions and as a guest judge. She holds a BFA from the University of the Arts’ Ira Brind School of Theatre Arts and has worked as an actor across the country, with the bulk of her work in NYC and Los Angeles. She recently appeared opposite Lauren Lapkus in the forthcoming film Another Happy Day, due to release October 1 via Gravitas Ventures, received awards for her world premiere performance in the world premiere of the play Wounded at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, has served as a producer and performing company member of the Riot of the Tipsy Bacchanals, and since relocating has served as a guest artist for numerous local productions including working as the resident Intimacy Choreographer for NOVA Nightsky, guest directing West Springfield Spartan Theatre’s Peter and the Starcatcher this past spring, and working with Lake Braddock Theatre’s recent Romeo and Juliet (Movement Director, Intimacy Choreographer, Text Coach- Cappies NCA Best Play Winner), and Something Rotten (Music Director, Choreographer), as well as returning to teaching for AFYP this summer. Her coaching students have recent admissions to CCM, UNCSA, Carnegie Mellon, Boston University, Rutgers, Troy, Indiana, Shenandoah, UC Fullerton and Irvine, USC, and more.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes 2 business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact academy@gmu.edu for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.