In November, the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (SSFA) will be partnering with Off the Cuff Improv and Interactive to host a series of workshops.
Adreanna Boucher of Off the Cuff will be hosting the workshop called “Acting for Everyone” because she believes theatre is a form of expression that is useful in everyday life.
“It’s going to be very much grounded in improve, which is what a lot of my background is with Off the Cuff Improv and Interactive,” Boucher said.
“It’s going to be a very ‘no pressure but lots of fun’ kind of environment where we’re going to be playing some different theatre games. Along the way the participants are going to learn some of the most basic precepts of theatre and good presentation.”
Those basic precepts including learning how to carry yourself with confidence, use your voice well, and remain grounded. Boucher said many of the skills actors use can also help people in their everyday life, although many don’t know it.
“With improv, we also have to practice the skills of good teamwork and respect and active listening and being present,” she said. “Those are also things that we should always be applying in our real life.”
The workshops will be on Nov. 2, 9, 15 and 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Cuelenaere Branch of the Public Library. The workshop will use both the Mahon Auditorium and other spaces.
“Sometimes we’ll be in the auditorium on the stage and sometimes we will be in one of the little rooms downstairs instead. Either way, it’s going to be a good class,” Boucher said. “It’s for anybody 18 and over I encourage people to come to all the classes.
Boucher said each workshop will be a standalone event, meaning participants can miss one or two classes but still come to all the others.
She said the workshop activities will be great for keeping your mind sharp and quick thinking which is another skill you learn with improv.
“The goal is just to get together have fun and hopefully learn a little bit of something on the way,” she explained. “I’m 40 but even in this middle age I’m already starting to forget words, so it’s good for me.”
The workshop is funded by the Artist in Communities grant, which is under the umbrella of SKArts and the Community Initiatives Fund.
This is part of a partnership with SSFA where earlier this year Off the Cuff did some shows at the Legion as part of Legion Week.
“They first approached me specifically to do workshops, but then that turned into, ‘would I do a show too?’ Then we will be doing another show in December, like a bigger show, but that’s something separate These workshops are the only thing that is in conjunction with artists in communities,” Boucher said.
In conjunction with this Off the Cuff offers SSFA members half-price tickets to the group shows in the Mahon Auditorium.
Boucher encourages everyone to come out and try the workshops.
“Don’t be shy. I hope no one feels too nervous to come out. I promise that I’m a very nice person and that if you come, you’re going to have fun.”
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
