There is no better way to help shape society than to educate. The MultiMedium Group is dedicated to enriching the lives of students, as well as faculty. You’ll find our education programs to be not only enlighting, but refreshing. All of our artists believe in their craft, are immensely talented, and well versed in their disciplines. Please understand that our courses are not intended to be a full education in each of the disciplines. One could not learn everything in 100 years, much less a 30 minute to 2 hour session (Depending on your needs). They are, however, intended to provide the basic building blocks needed to excute the desired task.

The Program

MultiMedium’s Theatre Education Program consists of training in multiple categories. Normal courses last an hour and consist of the following:

General Theatre

• What is Theatre?-The magical world of theatre has long been a part of the human experience. In this course, students will learn the basics of theatre watching, participating, critique, as well as what makes theatre so special.
• The Two Notions of Theatre-A long debated subject in theatre is the concept of presentional versus representational. In this course, students will learn the difference between the two schools of thought, as well as the interdependence of theatre on both of them.
• Stage Etiquette-A must for any performer or technician is stage etiquette. Your students will learn the value to theatre of mutual respect.
• Dramaturgical Skills-Dramaturgs are basically a playwright’s representative during productions when the playwright is not available. Their responsibility is to represent the script, and ensure the production’s accuracy. By learning Dramaturgical Skills, students will become better script analysts, as well as performers, technicians, and patrons.
• Playwriting-No one can teach another to write a play. It is a gift that is partly earned, partly inherited, but one can be taught techniques in formatting and writing that will help aspiring playwrights become everything they hope to be.

Performance

• How to be an Actor-A must for anyone considering a career, education, or hobby in Theatre Performance. Students will learn everything from the training of an actor, to how to “get discovered” in this age old business, even prop handling.
• Voice and Diction-Voice and Diction training has long been part of the schooling of an actor. In this course, students will learn the basics of good breath support, pronunciation, and projection.
• Movement-Unnatural movement is a sure giveaway that either the actor is uncomfortable or he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do. Combine this with the factor of movements needing to be large enough for an audience to see and it’s no wonder that this conundrum plagues so many actors. Ours is a course different from other movement programs because it also discusses facial movement and emotion.
• Shakespeare-Nothing is more confusing to contemporary actors than Shakespearean language, but thanks to this course, students can perform with confidence. The course covers not only the history of Elizabethan Theatre, but little tips and tricks hidden within the scripts themselves that make performing a complicated piece easier.
• “The Method”-Developed in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, Konstantin Stanislavski’s Method of Physical Actions is a must know for all contemporary actors. Many students have a vague idea of method acting, and these vague ideas lead to misconceptions about this long respected craft. Through a workshop experience, students can learn the true art and science to “The Method,” and how it can help them become the actors they dream to be.
• Improvization-Improvization has been made popular by such television shows as, “Whose Line is it Anyway.” Now, thanks to this new course, students can learn the skills that are required for improvization, the rules for a successful improvization, as well as “how to be quick on your feet.”

Technical Design and Production

Our Technical Design and Production Program is different from others because we allow students the opportunity for hands-on learning. Like acting, there is no other way to learn Theatre Design and Production than to do it. Please note that a few basic items will be needed for the course. If you can’t provide these items, then we can do so at a small lab fee.

• Set Design and Construction-There is only one way to learn old-fashioned set design and construction: be taught by somebody who knows. This program excels in areas where others lack, including cost-effective budgeting. An old adage in theatre is: “It’s amazing what you can do with a little paint and cardboard.”
• Costume Design and Construction-Anyone who knows theatre will tell you that costumes, like bad acting, can make or break a show. In this workshop students will learn the basics of costume construction, from design to patterns to sewing; as well as topics such as hats and shoes.
• Stage Hair and Makeup-A skill that all actors and backstage hands should know. This course will train your students to apply basic stage makeup, as well as special effects makeup like moustaches, beards, and of course, how to show age. This course also covers subjects pertaining to hair, such as wigs and how to keep hair in place on stage.
• Prop Design and Construction-Another easy task to achieve, but difficult to learn skill is prop design and construction. This lesson covers basic Prop Master essentials, and even discusses building props for the production. Please note that while furniture can be considered a prop, depending on the show, we prefer to discuss that in the Set Design and Construction course.
• Lighting Design and Production-Theatre, granted, can exist without lighting, but it wasn’t until this precious art became prevalent that people truly began to understand the Magic of theatre. In this course students will learn basics such as how to properly light areas, and go much further by explaining how to take a production from “great” to “spectacular.”
• Sound Design and Production-The often neglected art of Sound Design is another aspect that can take production from “great” to “spectacular.” This course goes beyond the typical sound reproduction, and covers sound equipment, even how to select the best “background music.”
• Video Design and Production-Videography, like all other aspects of theatre, is an art all in itself. Through this course, however, students will learn the basics of video production including shooting, editing, even how to set-up a projector.

Theater Administration

• Stage Management-A good stage manager is an essential element to a theatrical production. Many shows have fallen apart for reasons that could have been resolved by a simple key figure. In this lesson students will learn the duties of a Stage Manager, from taking notes to running technical rehearsals, and what to do on the always feared first performance.
• Theater Management-Effective Theater Management is the building block of theatre. Planning productions, budgets, schedules; all of these fall into the pivotal category. We will supply students with these basic skills, as well as the confidence they need for success.
• House Management-Few directors realize how important their House Manager really is. They are the first person an audience sees when they enter the theater, and the last when they leave. Responsible not only for the upkeep of the house, The House Manager is also the director’s last line of defense when it comes to a disruptive patron. Our course will train House Managers to create a welcoming environment and to make sure the audience’s stay is as pleasant as is possible.
• Media and Publicity-Nothing kills a theatre person’s drive like no audience showing up. In this course students will learn not only how to get the word out, but how to design publicity so that it best serves its purpose and complies with the requirements of the production contract with the playwright.
• Box Office Management-The box office is normally the first time a person encounters a live human being at the theater. That is why a competent and functional box office is essential. This course is a benefit for all those who want to improve their skills when it comes to communicating with strangers.

Our Educators

Our Educators are dedicated and talented artisans, who are certain to provide not only an educational experience, but an entertaining and memorable one as well. For more information about our instructors, visit our Members section found at the top of the page.

Theater and Auditorium Consultation

Planning on creating, renovating, or just updating the technical aspects of a sanctuary, theater, or auditorium? The MultiMedium Group is here to help you make your new facilites everything they can be. Click Here to learn more.

Booking Information

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