Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland is committed to the art of the actor through explorations of the psycho-physical processes illuminated by Michael Chekhov. Through educational offerings for artists and performances within the community, we explore what it means when the actor is the theatre.

THE WORKSHOP: CREATING CONSCIOUS CHARACTERS

Over the course of six meetings in a creatively supportive and holistic atmosphere, we will unfold principles of the Michael Chekhov technique to increase your psycho-physical awareness and open portals of imaginative transformation to create and embody fully conscious characters.

This invitation is extended to those new to or with experience in the Michael Chekhov technique. It will be approached from a beginner's mind.

We explore on our feet in movement, playing with energy, imagination, concentration, and improvisation. This offering is experiential over academic. Check expectations, plans, and a sense of right and wrong at the door! Wear clothing and shoes you are comfortable moving in. Be prepared to be surprised!

WHEN ARE WE DOING IT?

February 10 — March 17, 2019

Sundays only, six sessions

6:30pm-8:45pm

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This exploration is open to a maximum of eight performing artists (ages 18 and up) both new to or with experience in the Michael Chekhov Technique. It will be approached from a beginner's mind. (Four spots currently remain.)

WHERE DO WE MEET?

Art On Madison

14203 Madison Avenue

Lakewood, OH 44107

Plenty of free parking is available on Madison and nearby side streets. Please avoid metered parking so you can remain in the stream of our exploration. Meters do not run on weekends.

WHAT IS MY INVESTMENT

$145.00 for this six session, 13.5 hour offering.

A non-refundable online deposit of $45.00 is required to guarantee your spot. If you cancel seven (7) or more days before the workshop start date, you will receive credit good for one year from the date of payment. If MC3 cancels the workshop, your deposit may be refunded or credited toward future workshop offerings. 

Your remaining balance must be received online prior to the first session, or at the door in cash or check at the first session. Within 24 hours of your registration e-mail (see below) being received, you will be directed to a payment page with the following options:

•$45.00 deposit, pay balance online prior to our first session

•$45.00 deposit, pay balance in cash or check at door prior to first session

•$145.00 pay in full 

HOW DO I REGISTER
1.Send an e-mail to michaelchekhovcenter [at] gmail [dot] com with answers to the following:

•What is your experience with the Michael Chekhov technique?

•What appeals to you about this offering?

•What is your preferred pronoun? MC3 welcomes performers of all gender expressions and orientations.

2. Once your e-mail is received and reviewed, you will be sent a link to a page to select your payment option.

3. Go to the page and select the payment option that works for you. 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

•Clothing and clean shoes you are comfortable in that allow for movement.

•Notebook and writing instrument.

•There are multiple options available for your exploration. Choose the one that most interests you.

1. You may work with a character from a play or film. Memorize one-two minutes of text to work with over the course of the six sessions. Do not make any acting choices with this text.

2. OR, you may work with a character of your own creation. If you already have text for them, have one to two minutes memorized. Do not make any acting choices with this text. 

3. OR, you may find inspiration in visual art, music, or poetry. If text is involved, memorize one to two minutes without making acting choices.

4. OR, you may discover and develop a character of your own over the course of the six sessions. 

WHAT IS THE MICHAEL CHEKHOV TECHNIQUE?

The Michael Chekhov Technique is a holistic, psycho-physical approach to performance that synthesizes the actor's body and psychology. You discover how the magic of your movement, in tandem with your imagination and feeling life, has the ability to enliven the spaces within yourself and the spaces around you. Solo and ensemble explorations in movement, concentration, atmosphere, and gesture increase your flexibility, honesty, joy, and ease as a performing artist. You learn to free your body as a conduit for the soul of your character. Your Creative Individuality is supported and nourished, and your artistic work becomes more inspired.

WHO IS LEADING THIS WORKSHOP?

Ray Caspio creates beautifully grotesque characters whose comedic allure invites you into their queer realities, where they unpack American culture and scrutinize the multifaceted manners in which we relate to each other. His work recognizes the immediacy and impermanence of performance by embracing theatre as a living event. Who is in the room matters. The work becomes as alive as we are: conscious, truthful, and existing in that moment when we all gather to play. Ray is a performance artist, teaching artist, actor, and the Founder and Artistic Director of Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland. His focus has been on new and devised works. He has created pieces spanning theatre, cabaret, installation, web, and personal storytelling; served as performer-creator in numerous devised pieces; and originated over 30 roles. Ray's live work has been performed at Playhouse Square, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, convergence-continuum, Playwrights Local, Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Theater Ninjas (Associate Artistic Director 2012-2015), and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Caspio appeared on Best of Theatre lists for Cleveland Scene Magazine (2014 & 2017) and WCPN/NPR’s The Sound of Applause (2014, for the conception and performance of the immersive cabaret exploration of gender, sexuality, and marriage equality, TingleTangle). In 2014, he was profiled as Scene’s “Thespian”. Ray’s training consists of the Michael Chekhov technique (Michael Chekhov School, Hudson, NY; MICHA: the Michael Chekhov Association), Bouffon (Giovanni Fusetti), Eccentric Performance (Avner Eisenberg & Julie Goell), the Alba Method, and Improvisation and Comedy Writing (Second City Chicago). Caspio has taught for Playhouse Square, Disney Musicals-in-Schools, Cleveland Play House Theatre Academy, MetroHealth Arts in Medicine, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Through Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland, he shares his understanding of the processes Michael Chekhov has illuminated for actors. Ray received a 2016 Creative Workforce Fellowship. 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

http://www.raycaspio.com/mc3

https://www.instagram.com/michaelchekhovcenter/