The series opens May 4 at 11am with “Physical Characterization” ($35) at the Reg Studio Theater.  Elmira College’s John Kelly will present this hour-long workshop intended to supplement traditional actor training.  This hands-on experience seeks to employ concepts of Asian theatre, the work of Michael Chekhov, and the use of body centers to introduce participants to other tools employed by performers in their craft.  “Physical Characterization” will be followed by a one hour Q&A for students interested in studying college theater.   The Reg Studio Theater is located at 108 East Third Street in Jamestown, NY.

At 7pm in the same space, Kelly and his Elmira theater students will present a live theatrical performance.  “Short and Sweet”  is a collection of four short plays, two dramas and two comedies, created to be performed by and for young adults in almost any setting.  “Mandala” tells of four young women seeking to come to terms with the loss of friends due to texting while driving.  “Tim, Dirk, and Haley” follows an odd threesome as they shoot ducks – photographically speaking.  “Choices” concerns two young women’s life choices at the beginning of their college careers, while “Ohio Navy” is merely an inspired bit of farce.  These plays, directed by a first year student, an advanced student, an alumna, and a faculty member, provided needed opportunities for our actors to spread their wings onstage while entertaining audiences in an unusual, off-off-broadway Café La Mama style setting.  “Short And Sweet” is offered free of charge and is open to the public.

The workshop series continues with:

Stage Combat ($35)
Saturday July 27 at 11am
SUNY Fredonia’s Steve Vaughan offers an introduction to stage combat.  Learn how to believably battle, in character, without hurting yourself or others.  You will come away with a specialized skill set that will help you for years to come.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Songwriting For Stage/Song Interpretation ($45)
September 2013
Composer, John Reid Gealt will take you through the process of writing and interpreting songs written specifically for stage productions.  Gealt’s credits include The Secret Garden & Rags (Broadway World AIDS Day Concerts), Atlanta Theater of the Stars, Kansas City Starlight, The Wolf Trap, and The Muny.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Voice and Speech ($35)
Saturday January 11 at 11am
Voice is the primary tool by which actors convey their character’s stories.  Through this workshop, you will learn how to tune it,  take care of it and strengthen it..  Gannon University’s Shawn Clerkin will guide you through vocal warmups, diction exercises and more that will help use your voice to the best advantage.  Clerkin is a longtime educator and performer in Erie, PA.  He recently starred in Erie Playhouse’s “Les Miserables” as Jean Valjean.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Storytelling Through Song  ($45)
March 2014
You have the role in mind.  You have the song in mind.  You have the voice to perform it.  Now, how do you sing it?  Broadway performer, Tituss Burgess (pictured upper right) will teach you how to interpret and embody a song for live stage performances, in order to connect your character to the lyrics, achieving believability.   Followed by a Q&A and an intimate concert performance.  Tituss Burgess has performed in “Jersey Boys” and “Guys And Dolls”.  He originated the role of Sebastian The Crab in the musical, “The Little Mermaid”.

For registration call 716-664-2465, extension 227.

Described by national studies as “Creative Placemaking,” the project uses the businesses and public spaces in downtown Jamestown as an art gallery for local talent. Public art is developed and intended to animate public and private spaces using a common theme, ours is literary, while having it accessible to the entire community. The Urban Literary Trail will provide the “canvas” for community writers of all ages who are willing and eager to display their work.

Each piece of original literature is reproduced on vinyl or dibond material and displayed for a few months off of public sidewalks in Jamestown, NY.  Most of the final pieces are at least 2 feet by 2 feet in dimension.  To offset costs, Arts Council is offering to place the name and logo of local businesses who offer to sponsor one of the pieces.

Local organizations or businesses interested in displaying or sponsoring the printing costs of a piece should call 716-664-2465, extension 227 or email lbarry@artscouncil.com.

“3rd Street Canvas – An Urban Literary Trail” is made possible by Arts Council For Chautauqua County with support from Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

3rd Street Canvas is made possible by a Community Service Grant from Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and support from Reg Lenna Civic Center.

For artist information and more details, visit the 3rd On 3rd Gallery webpage.

Read about Arts Council activities at Eastside YMCA in this Post-Journal article written by Cathy Panebianco.

Over 20 artists participated in the event.  Several are still on display:

• On Third Street between Lafayette and Spring Streets.
• On Main Street between 2nd and 4th streets.

Awards included:

Most creative design
1st place: Chris Balaskas
2nd place: Nate Long

See a photo gallery of the art here.

The Great Jamestown ChalkWalk was created by Jamestown Now.

Artists and art instructors in the Arts and Healthcare fields will be sharing their best practices through workshops and networking.  “Strike A Pose” Art Exhibit will include both silent and live auctions.

Tomorrow Before Midnight, directed by Cody DeLong
1st Place Winner, Insomniac 2012 Competitive Film Festival

_______________________________________________________________________

Successful Steve, directed by Eric Basile
2nd Place Winner, Insomniac 2012 Competitive Film Festival

_______________________________________________________________________

Charlotte, directed by Barry Meyer
3rd Place Winner, Insomniac 2012 Competitive Film Festival

Charlotte from Barry Meyer on Vimeo.
_______________________________________________________________________

Red, directed by Don Hill
Insomniac 2012 Competitive Film Festival

Red from DHS on Vimeo.
_______________________________________________________________________

Pandemos, directed by Paul Schermerhorn
Insomniac 2012 Competitive Film Festival

For more information, visit the Wright Gallery page.

Visit the Arts Council For Chautauqua County Facebook page often.

Click “like” to receive status updates and event notifications.