I offer the following classes and seminars in the following subjects.
Each subject is available as a single presentation (1½ to 6 hours),
or as an ongoing class (1 to 1½ hours per session). Specially focused
classes on poetry and short fiction, can also be arranged. Classes may
be targeted for tween, teen or adult participants.
Class #1: Title: Creative Writers are the Heart
of the World
Students will be guided in the composition and public presentation of
poetry and short stories. These explorations will focus on finding deep
emotional truth, and the cultivation of genuine values – whether
it be laughter, emotional catharsis, or the addressing of important social
issues. Gabrielle will teach the basic principles of poetry and short
story composition, as tools to access deeply-held feelings and to initiate
social change. Students will write original pieces, and learn acting techniques
that transform their works into compelling presentations. Throughout the
creative process, Gabrielle will teach the fundamentals of editing and
revising in a fun, engaging, safe and supportive atmosphere. This seminar
finishes with each student presenting his or her original work to the
entire class.
Class #2: Title: The Essentials of Acting: Secrets
of Professional Acting
How do you act the way professional actors act? This involves using one’s
emotions, body and spirit as one’s “instrument.” These
techniques are of great value, both to the inspired actor, and those who
would like to get to know themselves and others more deeply. They are
also a great vehicle for overcoming shyness, and allowing oneself to feel
and express all of oneself. These acting tools teach people to know themselves
well, and also to understand how other people (characters) think and feel
– even people/characters the students may have judged or disliked
before doing the acting work. This element of compassion makes the acting
tools valuable spiritual tools as well. Gabrielle Lennon has studied with
some of the best acting teachers in the country, and teaches using the
best lessons from these leading instructors. The class will be conducted
in a fun, safe and supportive atmosphere.
Class #3: Title: The Art of Public Speaking and
Life Stories
Gabrielle will teach students to write pieces for public presentation,
and to deliver them effectively. Students will work on various types of
pieces, with guidance in selecting relevant material. The subject matter
will range from humorous to issues of passionate feeling. Students will
also practice impromptu speaking. This will be an enjoyable exploration
that includes drawing on personal experience as material for public speaking,
and gives direction for effective communication.
Class #4: Memoir Writing
Writing a memoir, from brief essay to book-length compositions, can tell
the world stories from your life in ways that will move the hearts of
all your readers. How do we honestly reveal our hearts and experiences
on paper in ways that will captivate, fascinate, and move others? In this
safe class, students will learn exercises, methods of writing and revision
that will enable them to write memoir pieces with depth and clarity.
Class #5: Writing and Acting the Personal Monologue
Gabrielle Lennon will teach basic acting and monologue-acting tools, together
with techniques for writing personal monologues. This will include class
exercises to discover what monologues really are for us personally. All
students will write and revise their own personal monologues, in whichever
writing genre they wish, which they will then perform. Powerful interactive
methods will be presented, to demonstrate the compassionate potential
of the spoken word. This class serves as an excellent complement to the
Class #2, the Essentials of Acting, for the development of professional
acting skills.
Class #6: Performance of the Song
How does a professional actor work on a song? Learn step by step, with
acting secrets developed to create magic while singing. Some of the most
famous singers are not vocally gifted, yet they are riveting to watch
and listen to because of what they bring to the stage; so whether your
voice is well-trained or barely able to carry a tune, let’s together
experience the fun of acting a song.
Class #7: Composing Meaningful Films
Class will view socially conscious documentaries and feature films, discussing
the emotional and social impacts of each film – what it deeply communicates,
and how the filmmakers (writer, director, actors) got us to feel these
emotions or understand the ideas. Students will be guided through basic
professional acting processes, to access emotional content and enliven
filming concepts. Utilizing material from discussion and acting work,
students will each write a script for a short film (five to fifteen minutes),
dramatizing an issue or topic that is meaningful to them. This is an ongoing
class of eight to twenty four-hour sessions, to include the viewing of
eight to twenty films.
Films we’ll view and discuss:
Born Free
The Accused
Boys Don’t Cry
Jesus Christ Superstar
Earthlings
From Farm to Fridge
Harold and Maude
Muriel’s Wedding
The Secret Life of Words
What I Want My Words To Do To You
The Other Son
Cowspiracy
Bold Native
Twelve Years a Slave
American History X
Frances
Winter Soldier
Trans America
Sybil
Southern Comfort (documentary)
Gabrielle Lennon:
I have worked for more than twenty-five years as a professional actress
on stage and in film, as a published writer in many genres, and as a teaching
artist. My books are available on Amazon and other online bookstores,
as well as on my website and in the Sarasota library system. An Ed-Explorer
teaching artist and member of the Association of Florida Teaching Artists,
I graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Performance
Studies (Analysis, Interpretation and Performance of Prose, Poetry and
Drama) and an honors program in Creative Writing for the Media. I have
performed poetry, prose and drama to captivated audiences throughout the
United States, and internationally.
Please feel free to visit my websites for more information, at GabrielleLennon.com
and LennonBooks.com
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