Writing A 10-Minute Play with Mildred Lewis
7 Tuesday Evenings:
June 25th - August 6th • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Virtual Classes via Zoom
MAX: 10 Students
TST NON-MEMBERS: $175
MEMBERS: $75
This course teaches the fundamentals of playwriting: character, plot, character, setting, genre, and formatting. Each student will complete a rough draft of a ten-minute play. No experience is required. Students do not need any specialized software. No textbook required. Readings will be provided.
Who is Mildred Lewis?
An MFA and MA graduate of UCLA, MILDRED INEZ LEWIS writes and directs for theater, film and the digital space. A Dramatists Guild member, she belongs to the Antaeus, EST-LA, PlayGround-LA and Towne Street Theatre writing groups. She is an associate artist with the Rogue Artists Ensemble. She has been commissioned by A Different Myth (Asheville, NC) and a Lucille Lortel/Harlem9/National Black Theatre collaboration.
In 2022, her full-length comedy THE MUSEUM ANNEX, an homage to George C. Wolfe’s THE COLORED MUSEUM opened at Central Works (Berkeley, CA). BONWIT TELLER’S REVENGE appeared at the Workshop Theatre. Earlier productions include JUKED presented by Towne Street Theatre at Noise Now!
Her one-act plays have been produced across the country and in the United Kingdom where she was a British Theatre Challenge finalist. In 2022, WE JUMP BROOM was read by Towne Street Theatre, was a Best of PlayGround-LA winner, Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival finalist and the Bradford Gromelski Jury Award from Fusion Theatre (Albuquerque, NM). Her one-act plays have been published by LazyBee (UK), NextStage Press and Applause Books’ Best 10-minute Plays collections.
Full Length Play / Features /
TV Development with Kimba Henderson
6 Classes over 8 Weeks: Starts June 29th
Tuesdays / Saturdays;
Mix of Virtual & In Person
MAX: 10 Students
TST NON MEMBERS: $175
TST MEMBERS: $75
This class will be led by Kimba Henderson who will work with folks who are interested in writing: full-length plays, features, TV pilots or adapting from one medium to another. Meetings will be a mix of some instruction and short writing exercises to hone skills, readings of each others' work, followed by guided feedback: i.e. what stood out, what do you have questions about, what do you want to know more about. Dramaturgical feedback and notes on an individual basis will be given as well.
One Person Show And Dramatic Monologues with Dara Frazier
Special One Day Seminar To Get You Started!
Saturday, August 10th • 10 am - 4 pm
In Person
MAX: 12 Students
TST NON-MEMBERS: $175
TST MEMBERS: $75
How to develop a one-person play with a concentration on dramatic monologues with writer Dara Frazier. In-person, 6-hour seminar with a light lunch served. Participants should bring pen and paper or laptop to write and workshop material.
IMPROV with Twon Marcel Pope
6 Monday Evenings: July 8th - August 12th (performance night)
MAX: 20 Students
TST NON-MEMBERS: $175
TST MEMBERS: $75
In this 6-week interactive comedy workshop, players will explore the key elements of improvised theatre. Players will learn improv techniques, character development and how improv shows up in auditions and everyday life.
The final two weeks will focus on improv as it relates to live performance. Players will preform a 40 minute short form improv show at the end of the course that will be open to the public: friends, family & lovers of improv. See you in class!
Who is Twon Pope?
Twon Marcel Pope is an Actor/Director/Curator hailing from Oakland, CA. After graduating Oakland School for the Arts, Twon became an acting coach for the International Performing Arts Showcase while teaching young performers in various schools & programs around the Bay Area. Twon spent two years studying at the African American Shakespeare Co, prior to landing in LA in 2016. In 2017, Twon received a Scenie Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role for of CROOKS in Of Mice and Men. Some personal favorite roles include, (CLAUDIO) Much Ado About Nothing; (ZONITA) in African American Shakespeare Co. rendition of Cinderella; (GUS GREENLEE) Blackballed: The Rise and Fall of Negro League Baseball and (MS. ROJ) in The Colored Museum. Twon is a proud company member at Towne Street Theatre (LA) and the creator of “A Tribe Called Melanin” an award winning improv & comedy group, that offers workshops for short form improvisation while building community within LA.
From last year's students!
"So good to be back with TST training. Twon is fantastic. I've studied improv all over and for a long long time. I don't think I've ever had as much fun being trained in improv as we had last night. And learned a few things I'd never heard about before. And the class is the perfect size." - Bob Rodriguez
Acting For The Stage with JP Rapozo
6 Monday Evenings: August - September
MAX: 12 Students
TST NON-MEMBERS: $175
TST MEMBERS: $75
Immerse yourself in the timeless acting techniques inspired by the legendary teachings of Nina Foch's esteemed coursework at USC, which spans over four decades. Under the expert guidance of award-winning director and actor JP Rapozo, this seminar offers performers an unparalleled opportunity to refine their craft. Participants will delve deep into text analysis, enabling them to fully understand, and compellingly convey, the narratives they are entrusted to tell.
This intensive six-week seminar covers the development of comprehensive character backstories, the formulation of strong decisions based on textual clues, and the importance of being fully present for scene partners. Emphasis is placed on active listening and responsive interaction on stage, ensuring precise and thoughtful movements, with an understanding of their underlying motivations.
Designed to cater to actors at various stages of their careers, this seminar is ideal for beginners eager to establish solid acting habits, intermediate actors seeking to expand their skill set, and advanced actors aiming to refine their techniques. Join us to build a robust foundation and elevate your acting prowess to new heights. While these skills are designed for the stage, they are also the basics for acting for any medium.
Who is RJ Wayne?
RJ WAYNE (Ron Johnson Jr.) is a veteran Performer, Author, Producer, and Recording Artist with a career spanning over 20 years in the California Bay and Los Angeles areas. He is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild of America with a Degree in Theater Arts, Television, and Performance, as well as a graduate of the MCTC Conservatory program in San Diego, Ca.
When he’s not doing TV, Film, Teaching, or Producing. He goes by the Alias PHILASIFER as a recording artist for Ellisbeetle Entertainment. Music and Albums are available on all major streaming and digital platforms. (Former Recording Artist for Labels associated with Sony BMG, and Universal Music Group).
Hiphop Theatre with RJ Wayne
6 Evenings: Fall 2024
MAX: 16 Students
TST NON-MEMBERS: $175
TST MEMBERS: $75
Not only does it permeate every facet of modern existence, but you can use the parts of it that are in you to create dynamic performances and sharpen the skills you already have.
Based on the teachings of the Hiphop Shakespeare Theatre in London, founded by BAFTA and MOBO Award-winning Hiphop Artist "AKALA", RJ has already created a Book of Hiphop Monologues for Theatre (Milkcrate Monologues Vol. 1) and turned these techniques into a Critical success as a Theatre Class for youth in the Bay Area of California, and a New Towne Street Theatre Show that debuted at the Stella Adler to Standing Ovations and Warm reception.
In the class we'll cover:
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A brief history of the Roots of Hiphop Culture: Shakespeare, Gospel, And The Remains of the civil rights movement, and how it applies to Substance and technique.
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The core Rhyme schemes that make Rap possible, and the African lineage that makes our biorhythm so unique and Rap so advanced.
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How the Iambic pentameter provides the blueprint for applying it to the stage.
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Writing your own piece and putting it on its feet. incorporating your style and finesse.
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And Finally, a Performance showcase to bring it full circle.
Whether you are Young or Old, everyone's invite to the Cypher .
"If you can talk, you can sing, if you can walk, you can dance." - African Proverb
Highlights from last year.
