IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom at the Vineyard Church
Playwrights do not create their characters the same way other fiction writers do. Good novels and short stories feature fully-fleshed-out characters that the readers feel they know. Good playwrights create sturdy skeletons that actors can embody and flesh out with their own artistry. Our presenters will take a look at how actors go about doing just that. We will learn how actors glean clues from the script, and what questions they ask themselves to help them make bold, honest, and interesting choices. Laura Bird is a retired theater educator, director, and designer. She earned her doctorate in Theatre History from Michigan State University in 1999. Laura was Associate Professor and Director of Theater at Concordia University, and taught at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor. She is currently on the Board of PTD Productions in Ypsilanti, and often works on their shows in one or more of a dozen or so capacities; however, she enjoys directing and scene design the most. Janet Rich is one of the founding company members of PTD Productions in Ypsilanti. She has a Master's in Performance Studies from Eastern Michigan University. A dedicated theatre artist, Janet has created scores of roles and helped many other actors fine-tune their own character development.
