Writing and Performing Political Theatre
The instructor has an MFA in Theater with a playwriting emphasis and has produced social/political-minded work in San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Illinois. The class will emphasize techniques for effective character construction as the basis for creating a script, along with fundamental elements such as dramatic conflict, obstacles, and character arc. Specific in-class exercises will be used as well as homework assignments designed to generate material. Suggestions for creative use of different performance modalities and techniques will be developed through movement-based exploration in class, as well as use of video/audio resources. As the class continues each student performs his/her work-in-progress, with instructor feed-back and direction. The class culminates with a full student performance of their work.
Facilitator email(s):
Location
Minnehaha Free Space
3458 Minnehaha Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN
United States
See map: Google Maps
Facilitator's experience:
JEFF NICHOLS [email protected]
Performing Arts Resume 415-513-6503
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Playwright Productions
Ask the Question (full-length solo show)
The Marsh, San Francisco May 2008
Everywhere You Look (full-length social drama)
Winner, Christian H. Moe Award: Best Long Play
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: thesis production Oct. 2010
Kennedy Center ACTF Region III Invited Production Jan. 2011
The Channel Changer (full-length solo show)
gHosTBridge theatRe: Acadia Cafe, Minneapolis May, 2005
Drowning (one-act surreal/suspense)
Winner, Christian H. Moe Award: Best Short Play
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Journeys March 2009
Kennedy Center ACTF Region III Invited Production Jan. 2010
Four Actors in Search of a Moment (one-act language play) March 2010
Southern Illinois University: Journeys
Mannequin's Daughter (one-act surreal comedy)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Dec. 2010
Red Delicious (one-act satire)
Finalist, Kennedy Center ACTF Region III One-act Competition
Staged Reading, Kennedy Center ACTF Region III Jan. 2011
Awake (10-minute comedy)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: 24 Hour Play Day Sept. 2009
Mid-American Theater Conference, Chicago: Staged Reading March 2009
Colors (10-minute drama)
Mid-American Theater Conference, Cleveland: Staged Reading March 2010
Theatre Games (10-minute post-modern)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: 24 Hour Play Day Sept. 2009
Echobell (10-minute language play)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: 24 Hour Play Day Sept. 2010
Acting
Ask the Question
(The Marsh) 4 character solo show San Francisco
The Channel Changer
(Acadia Café) 5 character solo show Minneapolis
The Good Woman of Setzuan
(Mpls Comm. & Tech College) Yang Sun Minneapolis
Jesus Christ Superstar
(SUNY-Albany) Judas Albany, NY
Godspell
(Homeward Bound Theater) Jesus Chanhassen, MN
Landscape
(Southern Illinois University) Duff Carbondale, IL
The Adding Machine
(241 Productions) Shrdlu, Guide, Mrs. Two Albany, NY
Hair
(Lyceum Theater) Ron, Margaret Mead San Diego
The Laramie Project
(Jackson County Stage Co.) Rulon Stacey, Steven Meade Johnson, Priest Carbondale, IL
Lettice and Lovage
(La Jolla Stage Company) Mr. Bardolph La Jolla, CA
A Christmas Carol
(Santee Community Theater) Fred, Old Joe, Young Scrooge Santee, CA
Quilt
(Theatre in the Round) Mikey, Juan Ramirez Minneapolis
Working Week
(Southern Illinois University) Stooge/Teacher Carbondale, IL
Ismene
(Three Graces Theater Co.) Creon Carbondale, IL
Check
(Bryant-Lake Bowl) Steve Minneapolis
Lysistrata (adapted)
(The Lysistrata Project) George, Sgt. Flowers Minneapolis
Ten Little Puppets
(Minneapolis Fringe Fest) Scaramouche Minneapolis
Training & Workshops
MFA in Theater, playwriting emphasis Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2008-2011.
Physical Theater Summer Intensive at Studio 206, Minneapolis, 2011. Theatre of the Imagination led by Robert Rosen Voice and the Physical Actor led by Barbra Berlovitz RAW Mechanics led by Shawn McConneloug Devise led by Rosen, Berlovitz, and McConneloug Three weeks, five days a week, 101 hours.
Spectacle on a Shoestring with Noah Bremer, Co-founding Artistic Director of Live Action Set. Minneapolis, 2011. Two weekends, 20 hours.
Developing Solo Performance with David Ford, Director in Residence at The Marsh, San Francisco, 2007-2008. Three 10 week classes culminating in public performance.
Will Dunne Dramatic Workshops Phoenix Theatre, San Francisco, 2007. Three 10 hour weekend writing workshops with actor-read scenes.
Intergenerational Writer’s Group with George Birimisa, San Francisco, 2007. Ongoing writer’s workshop, 2 hours per week.
Mother of Invention Acting School with Andrew Utter (MFA in Directing, Yale) San Francisco, 2007. One semester scene study culminating in public performance.
Musician
Trumpet: Black Market Traders, sunyata, Fresh Squeez, Dance of Glass. Fusion of jazz, rock, funk, ambient, psychedelia in an improvised format. Various clubs, Minneapolis, 1997-1999.
CD releases: Sounds from the Minneapolis Underground (2000) sunyata: emptiness (2000)
Percussion and spoken word: Guard Art, Stevens Square Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, 2004.
Green Party Fifth District Fundraiser (producer and performer) Rogue Buddha Gallery, Minneapolis, 2003.
Can the Klan, The Red Sea, Minneapolis, 2003.
Three Shadows, (writer and performer) Gus Lucky’s Gallery, Minneapolis, 2001.
Lead Vocalist: Third Rail, Le Schmooz. Rock bands performing at various nightclubs and university functions, Albany, NY. 1989-1991.
Facilitator phone number(s):
415-513-6503
Class minimum size:
5
Class maximum size:
10
Register:
