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So You Think You Can Act?

Instructor: Jeff Coussens

Jeff Coussens is professor and chair of the Theatre Arts Department at Augustana where he teaches the performance curriculum and directs productions within the season.

Coussens holds an MFA in Acting from Indiana University and has performed many roles in academic and professional productions including David Mamet's Oleanna, Michael Blessing's Two Rooms, and Spinning into Butter by Rebecca Gilman. He has directed over 30 productions, including Cyrano De Bergerac, The Miser, The Laramie Project, The Visit, Equus and Picnic. He also has choreographed fight scenes for many Shakespeare productions including Othello, As You Like It, Hamlet and Macbeth.

Program date: June 20-22, 2011

Program Description:

So you think you can act? Then pursue your passion for performance in this three-day intensive training program designed especially for the hopelessly stage-struck. Each day begins with a physical and vocal warm-up followed by class sessions in improvisation, stage combat, scene study, and audition technique. Regardless of your level of experience, the only prerequisite is a love for the stage and a desire to improve your acting skills.

This course is for high school students only.

Tentative Schedule:

Daily Schedule (Monday - Wednesday):

  • 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Physical and vocal workout
  • 9:00-10:30 a.m.: Improvisation
  • 10:30 a.m.-Noon: Basic stage combat
  • Noon-1:00 p.m.: Lunch
  • 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Scene study
  • 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Audition Technique

Wednesday, June 22:

  • See above daily schedule
  • Last hour of class (4:00pm-5:00pm) will include a presentation of scenes and audition pieces.

Program Cost:

$450, includes lodging and meals. Students arrive on campus Sunday, June 19, and depart at 5:00pm on Wednesday, June 22.