Marie Swajeski, Founder & Director, teaches about "the art of theatre."
TheatreArts Workshops
We currently do not have any workshops scheduled at this time. Please check back soon for updates.
The Delaware Children's Theatre 1014 Delaware Avenue Wilmington, Delaware 19806
For additional information about our TheatreArts classes, please call (302) 655-1014 or send an email to info@dechildrenstheatre.org.
Marie Swajeski, Founder & Director, teaches about the history of the DCT
Our introductory TheatreArts classes include general information and knowledge about:
basic theatre techniques that are taught through the use of drama games, improvisations, monologues, and role playing based on story telling and through the use of scripts.
the process of auditioning and how to "audition"
projection
stage geography
theatrical components such as lighting, make-up, props, set design, etc.
Photos from some of our previous workshops ...
Learning about acting is FUN for Everyone!
ACTING TIPS Acting on Broadway is very different from acting in Hollywood. In movies, the camera can pick up lots of detail and so actors can speak softly and make small gestures. On stage, however, actors must make sure that the whole audience can see what they are doing. Thus, they must speak loudly and make clear choices when they move on stage.This warm-up exercise involves going from small movements to big movements. First, everybody gets in a circle and one person makes a small sound or movement, as if he or she were acting right in front of a camera.Then the next person in the circle repeats the sound or action but makes it a little louder or a little bigger.The sound or action continues around the circle, getting bigger with each repetition until the last person makes it as big as it can get. once the sound or action has gone all around the circle, the next person starts a new action, and that action is sent around the circle.
Tongue Twisters! Acting requires lots of vocal flexibility. On stage, an actor may have to speak much louder or softer or faster or slower than in real life. Because people don’t normally speak the way they do on stage, it is always important for actors to warm up their voices before performing, whether they are acting in a musical or a play. Some performers like to use tongue twisters in order to warm up their voices before they go onstage. Tongue twisters are vocal exercises that help actors focus on their speech. Here are some tongue twisters that you can use in order to make your performance the best that it can be!Say the following combinations of words over and over again and try to make sure you pronounce each word correctly each time. Start slowly and then get faster and faster.
Red leather yellow leather red leather yellow leather
You know New York, you need New York, you know you need unique New York.
The shiny sign says stop. The shiny sign says stop.
A box of biscuits, a box of mixed biscuits, and a biscuit mixer
The Four PsWhen warming up, always remember to concentrate on the four P’s of performance – projection, pronunciation, posture, and pitch.Projection: Always make sure that your voice is loud enough for an audience to hear you. No one wants to listen to whispers on stage!Even if you are in your own room, speak or sing as if you are in a Broadway theatre.But don’t scream! That can hurt your voice.Pronunciation: Always remember to articulate each sound a word makes. Enunciation and diction are other words used to describe the way you pronounce words when performing or warming up. Posture: Actors and singers should always stand confidently when warming up their voices. It is important to have good posture so that your body can make the best sound possible. Pitch: This last P is mostly for singers. If you are singing a song, make sure that you are singing all the correct notes! For actors, be careful not to speak in a dull and boring voice. Make sure the tone of your voice changes as you say your lines.
Skit EssentialsWant to perform a skit to show to your family and friends? Here is a good guide to show you what you need.
Come up with a story idea. Will it have dragons and elves? Princesses and knights in armor? Sometimes, it's easier to perform fairy tales like Cinderella or Snow White because everyone knows those stories.
Find costumes for your skit. Be creative. What could Cinderella's dress look like? A dress from someone's closet might do just fine for Cinderella's ball gown.
Find a place to perform. . It might be a the living room, a backyard, or your school. Be sure there's plenty of room for you, your friends and your audience.
Develop a a skit with a beginning, middle, and end. Snow White is banished by her wicked stepmother, lives with seven dwarves, then marries the prince. Everyone loves happy endings!
Rehearse. Rehearsal is everything! At the DCT, we say "rehearsal is rehearing!" Make sure you and your friends have plenty of time to rehearse (in private) so everyone knows exactly what they're doing.
Find a flashlight. A flashlight is an excellent spotlight.
Invite friends and family to see your show. Make it formal by handing out playbills to the audience.
Thank your audience for coming, clean up after and start thinking of your next production.
Break a Leg!(this means "good luck" in theatre)
The Delaware Children's Theatre Bringing quality family theatre to the Delaware Valley for 35 memorable seasons.
