2026 Recreational Adult Performance Class
Overview
This class is designed to give you the experience and tools necessary to create a range of believable characters and circumstances that will culminate in a series of public performances.
This class runs for 4 separate blocks. Each block is its own unit, and other than block 4, each can be taken on its own. The maximum number of students per class is 18 and priority is given to continuing students.
The final Block includes a series of public performances at a small Melbourne Theatre.
Block 1 is shorter in length and ideal for those who want a taste of what the school has to offer.
Block One: The Power Of Improvisation
Overview
Dates: Wednesdays 25/2/2026 - 01/04/2026
Time: 7pm-9.30pm
Duration: Total of 6 weeks
Students will be given the skills to improvise imaginary scenarios and characters, which offer a return to state of spontaneous play that we all had as children. Accessing this spontaneity results in greater confidence and freedom of expression.
At its core, improvisation allows for the exploration of the spontaneous, the unexpected, it’s about creating moments of genuine interaction that can never be replicated. This teaches us to listen, not just hear; to respond, not react; and to embrace the unpredictable nature of emotions and interactions. Students make up scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot.
Improvisation is a form of unscripted performance. Instead of relying on prewritten dialogue, improvisers create scenes based on loose scenarios. Everything from what the performers say to the faces they make to how they move their bodies is entirely made up. It is “made up” within a given set of circumstances offered to you by the teacher. If you experience any kind of creative block, we will assist you.
Block 2: Character Development & beginnings of script work
Overview
Dates: Wednesday 22nd April – Wednesday 24th June
Time: 7pm-9.30pm
Duration: Total of 10 Weeks
Character development is the process of making a character complete and real. The audience can watch a character drive off a cliff, but without knowing the character’s personality, triggers, and backstory, they may not believe or relate to the character or their story. The audience must believe in the character, which requires that actors get to know their characters first.
There are many ways to develop a character. Some actors use the “method” which is not readily understood by the public many of whom see it as a process whereby the actor delves into their past. This is a small aspect of the “method”. We teach the method as it relates to sensations, observations and the imagination. Other character techniques involve accessing the character through animal work – a very joyful experience that involves acting out the kind of animal that you imagine most closely relates to your character. Other examples include going through the past of your character, detailing how you imagine they live, where they live, what kind of habits they have and so forth.
Movement plays a big part in developing a character. Your character will probably move very differently from you, as they have had a different life experience. Depending on the type of character you choose to create, they may also be a different age, have differing movement capacities and so forth.
We will then connect your characters with the beginnings of script work. This will begin with a given set of lives that could be attributable to any circumstance which you will then create as lines for your character. You will experience your character in the “given circumstances” of the scene – what is going on, who they are with, what they want, how they feel, how they were prior to the scene – there are many ways from here to create a believable character. From here, you will develop more detailed scripts that are specific to your character. The teacher may give you this script or encourage you to write it yourself. (this depends on the dynamic and wishes of the group).
Finally, you will be given scripts where you will create a character from the text itself. This is the reverse order of what you did before – the lines in the script will give you the character and you will begin to perform these scripts in class.
Block Three: Combining script analysis and character.
The introduction of VOICE.
Overview
Dates: Wednesdays 15/07/2026 - 16/09/2026
Time: 7pm-9.30pm
Duration: Total of 10 weeks
In this block, you'll collaborate on scripts with partners and learn to follow direction to prepare for performance. Along with your teacher, you will look at a possible theme into which all of these will fit. So, for example, we once performed a piece called “Befuddled” which included a series of scenes where people were confused. Another was called “Scenes that Matter” which included scripts centred around important situations. Another was titles “Extremities” where the scenes were of people in extreme situations.
You will also begin to learn how to find your character’s own voice. How do they speak? Is it very different from the way you speak or roughly the same? Since this is a theatre and drama class, you might choose characters who differ from you in age, gender, culture, or appearance. It is fascinating to find a voice very different from your own. Even if your character appears to be like you on the surface, there is always something different to explore in their voice.
We also explore actual voice projection but in a very creative way. If, for example, you are having difficulty being heard, you might be asked to connect more deeply with your character and to examine what it is they want from your scene partner/s. Or, to experience how your character breathes. We also teach a series of actual voice/breath exercises where the group collectively speaks in improvised language while remaining in character.
Students feel comfortable with their scenes and characters by the end of this block and will know who their scene partner/s are. Some students choose a monologue as one of their scenes.
Block 4: Rehearsal & Performance Week at Theatre.
Venue TBA Rehearsals
Overview
Tuesday 8th December 7pm – 9.30pm
Wednesday 9th December 7pm – 9.30pm
Thursday 10th December 7pm – 9.30pm
Performances at theatre venue TBA – There will be tickets sold for audiences to the performances. There is no charge to course participants
Friday 11th December at 8pm – you will need to arrive by 7pm
Saturday 12th December at 8pm – you will need to arrive by 7pm
Sunday 13th December at 5pm – you will need to arrive by 4pm
Throughout classes you will continue to refine the scripts that you worked on in Block 3. This combines the skills form previous blocks - improvisation, script analysis, character development, and voice work to create scenes for a live audience. You will continue to rehearse these scenes right up until the time we go into the theatre.
Once in the theatre, a lot of time is spent working with the lighting states – where to be in each given moment on stage. There will be a live theatre technician who will rehearse all the scenes with you so that you know exactly where to enter and exit the stage, when to remain in silence when the lights are down, the cues to commence and end your scene/s and where to be in order to be ready for the next.
You will then have the joyful experience of performing three shows in front of your friends and family and the Drama With A Difference community!
In Between Rehearsals
The Archives
2015 Comedy Festival in between rehearsals and 2015 Fringe Show.
“The teachers are wonderful and supportive”
Robyn Wells
