A Ground-Breaking Master Class With Actors Studio Life Member And Former Faculty Member, Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano

Kumu Kahua Theatre and Interisland Terminal offer a fresh method of collaborative writing involving writers, directors, actors and community stories in the playwriting process.

WHAT: New Voices Collaborative Writing Master Class
WHERE: Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St. and R&D at Interisland Terminal, 691 Auhi St.
WHEN: Aug 13- Aug 25, 2012 (see full schedule below)
How much: $25-$1050
INFO: 536-4222, www.kumukahua.org
SPECIAL EVENT: Sunday, August 12th at 6:00 PM, at Kumu Kahua Theatre there will be a welcome reception for Lisa who will present a free seminar: Demystifying the Method

Honolulu, HI—On August 13th, 2012, Kumu Kahua Theatre in association with Interisland Terminal will embark on a cutting edge program that will benefit area playwrights, directors, actors, and historians, appreciators of artistic expression and community members and visitors in Oahu. 

We will be offering an intensive master class in script and production development through collaboration between writers, directors and actors.  This process has been developed and will be taught by Actors Studio Life Member and former Masters Program Faculty Member, Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano. 

Utilizing a process Lisa originally developed for The Actors Studio Drama School, writers, directors and actors will follow an innovative developmental protocol of script creation, character development, rehearsal and performance, as well as team communication. 

Participants will emerge from this experience with out-of-the-box knowledge and experience in communication and collaboration, artistic roles and support, character development and story creation, and surrender.

Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano is currently the Director of Education at Chicago Street Theatre and an adjunct Professor at Columbia College in Chicago.  Since 2001 she has also taught two week intensives and master classes at Transnocho and Gimnasio de Actores in Cracas, Venezuala. 

In addition to her experience with the world renowned list of Members of The Actors Studio, Lisa has also developed and executed projects and programs with Black Nexus and Wild Life Theatre Companies and worked in programs with artists such as Susan Batson, Tracy Letts and Ping Chong. Her resume of courses taught includes ensemble development, collaboration techniques, film casting and directing and The Method.

This two week class experience will utilize oral histories from residents of Kaka`ako for inspiration and will culminate in two days of performance in the Kaka`ako neighborhood.

The program will commence on August 13th and run through performances on August 24th and 25th (the group will not convene on the 18th and 19th, but there will be individual work for all to complete over that weekend).

Writers, Directors and Actors are invited to submit application for participation before July 13.  The class roster will be selected and informed of participation by July 20.  Applications are available at kumukahua.org and at the Kumu Kahua Theatre Box Office during business hours (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Monday-Friday).

The class will meet in two sections – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  Applicants will select their section.  There will be performances on the 24th and 25th in conjunction with Interisland Terminal in Kaka`ako.  There will be a second set of performances in the Dark Night Series at Kumu Kahua Theatre (dates TBA; participation will be optional for students).

There will be spots available for students who will not be participating in the final production.  These students will be responsible for attendance and participation throughout the class sessions from August 13th-23rd.  Their work may influence the final production, but these students will not be expected or required to be present or involved in the production on days August 24th and 25th.

Full participants work will be included in the performances, actors will perform on both those dates and writers and directors will be present for the performances and post-show Q&A.

There will also be 10 slots available for observers of this process.  These individuals will be involved in the creation process, as they are occasionally called upon for insight in the same format followed at the Actors Studio.  Observers must reserve their positions in advance of each day’s work.

Pricing structure:

(this is not an error – full participants receive a large discount for their commitment through performances)

There will be a brief welcome reception for Lisa, orientation for all participants and the community and presentation: Demystifying the Method on Sunday, August 12th at 6:00 PM at Kumu Kahua Theatre.

• Full tuition must be paid by the conclusion of orientation. 
• Some scholarships will be made available. 
• All participation decisions will be made solely on the basis of reference and demonstrated work 
• Classes will be held in locations TBA.

On August 24th and 25th, performances of the created pieces will take place at R&D in Kaka`ako.  This will be open to the general public and is expected to be a work that draws a new audience as well as those familiar with that region.  In addition to being a profound artistic classroom experience for the students involved, the production itself will be a “theatre of place” piece that will seek to build community in Kaka`ako through the power of story and art. 

Questions and applications should be directed to the Kumu Kahua Theatre office at 536-4222, kumukahuadirector@gmail.com.

Kumu Kahua productions are made possible with support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, celebrating more than thirty years of culture and the arts in Hawai‘i, and the National Endowment for the Arts; paid for in part by the taxpayers of the City & County of Honolulu; the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts; The Annenberg Foundation, McInerny Foundation (Bank of Hawaii, Trustee); and other Foundations, Businesses and Patrons.