*TELL ME ABOUT MICHAEL CHEKHOV CENTER CLEVELAND! * 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. *WHAT ARE WE EXPLORING?* Inspiration: Where does it come from? Beauty: What is it? How does increasing our truthful, playful access to both deepen our rehearsal and performance work? This two-day easeful exploration will focus on Chekhov’s principles of The Feeling of Beauty, Expansion/Contraction, and Atmosphere to explore these questions through the engagement of our imagination and the movement of our physical bodies. *WHEN DO WE EXPLORE?* May 18 and 19, 2019 10:30am-2:30pm You must be able to attend both days. *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. Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland exists for the performer-artist interested in growing their imaginative capabilities and embodying that imagination with ease; for the performer-artist curious about what is true for them in this moment rather than what might be perceived as “right” or “wrong.” *THAT'S ME! WHAT SHOULD I BRING?* Please wear clothing and shoes you are comfortable moving in since we discover experientially with full-bodied movement over academically. Have two to three minutes of character text that you enjoy memorized. Bring a water bottle, a notebook, and a writing instrument. There will also be a break long enough each day for you to eat a snack. Cross the threshold into the space with a spirit of openness, play, and curiosity to discover for yourself how you can apply the Michael Chekhov technique to your own artistry. *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. Meters do not run on weekends. *WHERE DO I REGISTER?* http://www.raycaspio.com/michael-chekhov-center-cleveland-classes/inspiratio... *WHAT IS MY INVESTMENT?* $100.00 for eight hours of exploration. *ANY OTHER DETAILS ABOUT MY INVESTMENT?* No refunds after April 28th unless the session is canceled by Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland. In the event you must cancel after April 28th, you will receive 75% Credit good for one year toward a future offering from Michael Chekhov Center Cleveland. Please register by May 15th. If you plan to register after that date, please e-mail michaelchekhovcenter [at] gmail [dot] com with your intention. *I’M AN LGBTQ ARTIST AND WANT TO JOIN YOU, BUT FIND MYSELF NEEDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. CAN YOU HELP?* Absolutely! MC3 is a safe space for you to explore and work. If you’re interested in any of our class offerings and find yourself in extreme need of financial assistance, please open a discussion by e-mailing Ray (me!) at michaelchekhovcenter (at) gmail (dot) com detailing your situation and proposed need, and we’ll find a solution together! I’ve been there. I get it. And I want to make sure this technique is accessible to you. This offer is for LGBTQ-identifying artists only and your inquiry must be received no later than May 10th. *HOW IS THE CHEKHOV TECHNIQUE APPROACHED?* 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 LEADS THE EXPLORATION?* 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. 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. His 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 International Michael Chekhov organization), 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. Ray received a 2016 Creative Workforce Fellowship.