Bio: Gwyneth van Son is a trained actor, director and theatre educator. She has been a drama teacher at MIS for the last five years, teaching at several other schools before her tenure here. Beyond directing students in after school productions, ranging from musicals to murder mysteries, she enjoys mask work, costume design and touch of stage combat. In addition to teaching drama, she is also pursuing her doctoral studies at LMU in Theaterwissenschaften.
Workshops:
Workshop 1 - Improv Theatre
Workshop 2 - Shadow Puppetry
Workshop 3 - Stage Combat
Workshop Description:
Workshop 1 - Improv Theatre
Ages: Grade 5 - Grade 11
In this workshop, students will learn the basics of improvisational theatre. The goal is to say 'yes' and keep the scene going! Through a series of improvising games, students will have to come up with ideas quickly and think on their feet. This is a fast-paced workshop, with changing groups, different kinds of improv, and hopefully lots of laughter.
Workshop 2 - Shadow Puppetry
Ages: Grade 5 - Grade 11
In this workshop, students will be creating simple shadow puppets and performing with them. Using shadow screens, lights, cardboard, popsicle sticks and glue, students will be able to bring a shadow story of their own creation to life and perform it to the group. They will also be taking their puppets with them, in order to show off their puppet making skills at home.
Workshop 3 - Stage Combat
Ages: Grade 7 - Grade 11
In this workshop, students will be learning the basics, the rules, and the skills used in stage combat. With a partner students will be learning the basic falls and hits used in stage combat, keeping their partner's safety as their top priority. After learning the basics they will create a short stage combat scene, performing it to the rest of the group.