Independent Shakespeare Company

Iambic Lab Celebrates Theater Making

The Independent Shakespeare Company (ISC) in Los Angeles, California, will present a series of programs titled "iambic lab: a month-long celebration of theater making" at its Studio Theater at the Atwater Arts + Innovation Complex in Atwater Village. Beginning January 28 and running through February, the company is offering classes, play readings, conversations with playwrights, and previews. All iambic lab events are pay-what-you-can; space is limited.

Following is the schedule of events:

The Pretenders, by Henrik Ibsen, in a new version by Charles Edward Pogue, January 28, 7:30 p.m. The Pretenders was Ibsen's first success (legendary theater critic Kenneth Tynan called it "his first great play"). Shakespearean in scope, this historical chronicle about the quest for the throne in medieval Norway has rarely been performed in English. Award-winning playwright Pogue has adapted Ibsen's epic into a swift-paced version that captures both the poetic imagination and psychological intensity of the original. The Pretenders explores the nature of power and personal ambition, the obligation of leadership, and the search for national unity. This reading will be directed by Joseph Culliton.

Speak the Speech (and Sip Cocktails) with David Melville, February 4, 7 p.m. In a convivial atmosphere, ISC Co-founder David Melville takes participants though the history of English verse speaking, Chaucer through Shakespeare. It's an evening full of anecdotes and acting—and cocktails.

Open Studio: Shakespearean scene study, February 5, 2–5 p.m. Explore Shakespearean acting in the ISC style. Artistic Director Melissa Chalsma, assisted by actors from the company, will lead participants through a series of exercises on specific scenes. This is open to all experience levels; space is limited.

Works in progress, February 11, 7:30 p.m. ISC company members Kalean Ung and Faqir Hassan share their works in progress. They will provide insight into their process, share their source material, and give a preview of their highly personal solo shows.

The Snow Geese Preview, February 25, 6:30 p.m. Learn more about the upcoming West Coast premiere of Sharr White's play, running at Independent Studio March 18–April 15. In an informal atmosphere with drinks and light snacks, participants will get a preview of scenes, meet the cast and artistic team, see the design, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

For more information and to reserve space, click here or call 818-710-6306.

ISC is also offering classes in Shakespearean Monologue Study and in Shakespeare Scene Study led by ISC company member Culliton, a professional actor for 45 years who has acted on Broadway, off-Broadway and extensively in regional theater, as well as in major motion pictures and on television. He has also taught acting at colleges, acting academies, and workshops across the country, and in his 10 years as an ISC company member, he has devised and performed interactive Shakespeare programs for middle schools and high schools in the Los Angeles area.

Shakespearean Monologue Study begins January 23 and meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m for four weeks. The three-hour sessions cover in-depth work on speeches from Shakespeare, using the techniques of verse speaking, as well as character physicalization. This is ideal for preparing for auditions, as well as for engaging in detailed character analysis. Fee is $200.

Shakespeare Scene Study begins March 20 and meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. for eight weeks. This class is designed to help participants make choices that are dynamic, informed, and entertaining. Based in thorough text analysis and the fundamentals of verse speaking, the exercises will help students develop their own personal technique to connect to Shakespeare's works. Fee is $400, payable in two installments.
For more information on these classes and to register, click here.

January 18, 2017

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