Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) is expanding its education offerings.
The returning Theatre Workshop and a new Master Class Series are aimed at helping those interested in the performing arts to learn about what goes into effective presentations, how to give great performances, how to develop skills to audition, and much more.
Theatre Workshop
ATI will first host a three-week Theatre Workshop with Don Farrell and Terry Woods. This workshop of three classes over three weeks is designed to hone theatrical skills and performance in all the major aspects of auditioning for the theatre, thus creating an effective presentation: Monologues, cold readings, and “in the room” demeanor – whether for the in-person auditions that are starting back up, or for Zoom or video auditions.
The emphasis is on practical skill-building, resume formatting, audition book building, making the most of your rehearsal time, and overcoming psychological and emotional barriers to give your best performance. To give each student quality attention, the teachers will limit this class to only 10 students.
These classes will take place on July 19, July 26 and Aug. 2 at The Center for the Performing Arts, room 141/142, 4 Carter Green, Carmel. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Tuition is $300 for three sessions for students in grades 9 and up (price will go up to $350 after July 18).
Don Farrell is a co-founder of Actors Theatre of Indiana and serves as Artistic Director of the professional theatre company. For ATI, he has directed and produced productions of its more than 16-year history, including the Palladium debuts of two-time Tony Award-winning Sutton Foster (An Evening with Sutton Foster) and two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Chita Rivera (CHITA: A Legendary Celebration) both to critical acclaim. A member of the Actors’ Equity Association since 1992, he is a veteran of the concert/theatrical stage, and has worked steadily in practically every capacity of the business, having spent over 33 years working as a professional singer, dancer, actor, director, choreographer, and producer with a career that includes Off-Broadway, International Tour, National Tour, Las Vegas, Regional, Symphony concerts and Educational productions.
Farrell received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theatre from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, has served as a member of the drama faculty for NYC’s premier musical theatre training conservatory Collaborative Arts Project 21, has taught drama workshops and master classes for theatre companies and universities and has been a scholarship adjudicator for the National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) Music Theatre Competition.
Terry Woods’ musical career has been diverse, including working at Walt Disney World as a musician and puppeteer; living in New York City while working at theaters around the country and performing in the French Quarter Follies in New Orleans. As a Musical Director, he has worked throughout the Indianapolis area. He has been a Musical Director, arranger, and pianist for ATI since its first production in 2005 and continues to this day.
Woods was rehearsal pianist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Yuletide Celebration” for 11 years and Musical Director for Indiana Repertory Theatre’s “Christmas Carol” for seven years. As a pianist he has toured the U.S. with several musical revues. He also toured Europe with the musical West Side Story. He is currently a Musical Director at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, having enjoyed performing there for over 25 years.
To sign up for the Theatre Workshop, visit atistage.org/music-theatre.
Masterclass Series
ATI will also host a Masterclass Series, presenting a variety of national professional talent on its stage at the Studio Theater, as well as monthly engagements at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael. These Masterclasses are one-day events with the master artists. You can sign up at atistage.org/masterclasses.
The first of these will be a Master Class with Billy Stritch and ATI Co-founder Don Farrell on from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27. Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. He began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration with as accompanist and opening act for Liza, he recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director.
Currently during COVID-19, he is hosting a weekly Facebook livestream show “Billy’s Place,” celebrating the Great American Songbook with songs and stories from his varied career, Thursdays at 8 p.m. He has recorded five solo CDs and his latest release Billy’s Place is a collection of his favorite songs from these online concerts.
To give each student quality attention, the teachers will limit this class to 10 participants. Tuition is $100 to participate, $50 to audit (observe). The location for the classes will be announced closer to the time of the sessions.
The second of these Masterclass sessions will be with The Blue Eyed Bettys from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1. With Daniel Emond on banjo, Sarah Hund on fiddle, and Ben Mackel on guitar, The Blue Eyed Bettys delight with their powerful vocals in three-part harmony to create an indie-folk pop grass sound. All actors, The Blue Eyed Bettys met while doing a new play together at the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. The Bettys have cultivated followings in Florida, New York, North Carolina, and the Midwest for five song-soaked years of touring throughout the Eastern U.S.
The third Masterclass will be with Michele McConnell from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. McConnell has been on Broadway since 2010 doing The Phantom of the Opera. She has also been in Camelot (tour with Robert Goulet), Beauty and the Beast (Montreal/Las Vegas), and has performed with DiCapo Opera, Mobile Opera, Missouri Symphony, Skyline Theatre Company, San Diego Repertory, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Totem Pole Playhouse, and many more. McConnell has traveled to over 115 countries performing on luxury cruise ships with her husband, baritone Duane McDevitt, and serves on the musical theatre faculty at NJCU.
For any questions on these educational opportunities through ATI, please feel free to email dfarrell@atistage.org or call (317) 490-7793. To sign up for the Theatre Workshop or the Masterclasses, visit atistage.org.
About Actors Theatre of Indiana
Actors Theatre of Indiana was co-founded in 2005 by Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell, and Judy Fitzgerald with a mission to celebrate the power of theater and contribute to the quality of life in Central Indiana by offering high quality professional theater performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate, and entertain. An award-winning Equity Professional Theater company, Actors Theatre of Indiana is the resident professional theater company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, now in its 16th season of high-powered musical theater productions, world premieres, and innovative community works.
Visit ATI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more information on schedules, educational initiatives and ways you can order tickets, visit atistage.org.