Teaching

Te taha whakaako

ph: Lydia Sewell

MASTER CLASSES

FLYING SOLO Telling the Story in Song

Available for solo singers or choirs

In this workshop each participant is directed in a musical theatre song of their choice. There is a strong emphasis on identifying and developing the inner monologue, and how this focus serves the greater goal – that of engaging at a deeper level with the story of the song and, consequently, with the audience. Participants receive individual detailed direction and have the opportunity to observe their fellow classmates and engage fully in the process.

THE CRAFT OF ACTING

Deepening and Enriching the Actor’s Performance

In this workshop participants are directed in scenes or monologues. There is a strong emphasis on identifying and developing acting craft, including playing actions, identifying objectives and actions, processing (developing the inner monologue), pace, and use of the breath. Participants have the opportunity to observe other participants and engage fully in the process.

DIRECTING ACTORS

In this workshop, Jennifer works closely with directors in a scene study situation, to help develop acting craft and enable the deepening of the actor’s performance.

PERFORMING AND DIRECTING

IN THE INTIMATE ZONE

Scenes that involve intimacy, nudity, and simulated sex can be challenging for both directors and actors. Given that this is a sensitive area of performance, the vulnerability of the actor must be acknowledged and addressed using best practice, i.e. correct preparation and due care. In this workshop, we will discuss and work with actors on the process of developing an intimate scene for the theatre or screen using the best practice guidelines developed by Equity New Zealand.

Participant directors upon selection will each be invited to submit a short intimate scene for consideration – preferably without dialogue (or with a little) – two weeks ahead of the workshop. Please note that for this workshop there wll be no simulated sex or nudity.

During the workshop, participant directors will take turns to direct or co-direct pairs of actotrs in intimate scenes under Jennifer’s guidance.

SPEECH COACHING/

COMMUNICATION TRAINING

Jennifer also does Speech Coaching/Communication Training. Click here for info.

PROJECTS

2024| New Zealand Opera School Working in the Intimate Zone (11 January)

New Zealand Voice Programme Summer School The Craft of Acting (24 January)
Wellington City Chorus Barbershop Telling the Story in Song (February 24)

2023| The Actors’ Program The Craft of Acting (7 December)
Covert Theatre Working in the Intimate Zone (11 November)

Te Pou Whakapūawai Working in the Intimate Zone (October 28)

PAT/BCA/Alif Producers in Training Working in the Intimate Zone (Christchurch, October 21)

PAT/BCA/Alif Producers in Training Working in the Intimate Zone (Auckland, September 17)

Toi Whakaari Years 2 Working in the Intimate Zone (September 14)

Toi Whakaari Years 3 &1 Working in the Intimate Zone (September 13) PAT/BCA/Alif Producers in Training Working in the Intimate Zone (Wellington, September 9)

The Actors’ Program The Craft of Acting (30 August)

The Actors’ Program Working in the Intimate Zone (17 August)

Screensafe Professional Respect Training workshop Introduction to Intimacy Coordination (16 June)

DEGANZ Wellington Rehearsal Dynamics (28 May)

Yoobee South Seas Film & Television School Working in the Intimate Zone (16 May)

Pan-Asian Screen Collective/Equity NZ The Craft of Acting (6 May)

Pan-Asian Screen Collective/Equity NZ Working in the Intimate Zone (6 May)

The Actors’ Program Working in the Intimate Zone (3-4 May)

The Actors’ Program The Craft of Acting (1-2 May)

Cinco Cine Productions, Coaching Pūkana hosts (24 April)

NZ Opera, Opera Studio Artists The Craft of Acting (12-19 April)

Howick Little Theatre Working in the Intimate Zone (1 April)

The Actors’ Program Working in the Intimate Zone (15 February)

PumpHouse Theatre Working in the Intimate Zone (11 February)

NZ Opera School Working in the Intimate Zone (12 January)

2022| DEGNZ Rotorua Working in the Intimate Zone, 16 October)

DEGNZ Auckland (Working in the Intimate Zone, 10 September)

16th Ave Theatre (Working in the Intimate Zone, 3 September)

Toi Whakaari (Working in the Intimate Zone, 19 August)

SAE (Working in the Intimate Zone. August 8)

The Actors’ Program (Working in the Intimate Zone, 26–28 July)

DEGANZ (Rehearsal & Performance, 23 July)

Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 16 July)

DEGANZ/PASC (Rehearsal & Performance for Pan-Asian Directors & Actors, 18 June)

Musical Theatre Dunedin (Flying Solo, 12 June)

Musical Theatre Dunedin (Working in the Intimate Zone, 12 June)

Musical Theatre Dunedin (Flying Solo, 11 June)

Yoobee South Seas Film & Television School (Working in the Intimate Zone, 1 June)

Toi Whakaari (Crafting Out, 27 May)

Waikato University (Flying Solo, 26 May)

The Actors’ Program (Working in the Intimate Zone, 17 May)

SWAG/Screensafe Professional Respect Training workshop (Introduction to Intimacy Coordination, 6 May)

PumpHouse Theatre (Working in the Intimate Zone, 2 April)

Drama NZ, Auckland Branch (Working in the Intimate Zone, 29 March)

University of Waikato, Hamilton (Flying Solo, 28 March)

Auckland University (Working in the Intimate Zone, 23 March)

Offbeat Theatre, Whitianga (The Craft of Acting, 10 March)

The Actors’ Program (Crafting Out, 22 February)

2021| Te Pou Theatre (The Craft of acting, 30 November and 04 December)
The Actors’ Program (The Craft of Acting 10 August)
Yoobee South Seas Film & Television School (Introduction to Intimacy Coordination, 23 July)
AMDRAM Theatre, Whanganui (Directing in the Intimate Zone, 27 June)
16th Ave Theatre (The Craft of Acting, June 12)
Yoobee South Seas Film & Television School (Introduction to Intimacy Coordination, 11 June)
University of Auckland, School of Music (Intimacy training workshop, April 21)
Toi Whakaari (Intimacy workshop, March 17)
Covert Theatre (Intimacy training, 16 March)
Catch Casting (Intimacy training workshop, February 22)
Kura Productions (Teaching The Craft of Acting Workshop, 17 January)
Proudly Asian Theatre and Pan Asian Screen Collective’s New and Emerging Actors Course (Guest tutor, 17 January)

2020| AMDRAM Theatre, Whanganui (Flying Solo, 5-6 December)
Proudly Asian Theatre and Pan Asian Screen Collective’s New and Emerging Actors Course (Guest tutor, 28 November)
Howick Little Theatre (Performing in the Intimate Zone, 21 November)
Directors & Editors Guild of New Zealand (Directing in the Intimate Zone, 14 November)
Pan-Asian Screen Collective (Introduction to Intimacy Coordination, 31 October)
Stage Door Performing Arts Academy Ltd, Whakatāne (The Craft of Acting, 17 October)
Stage Door Performing Arts Academy Ltd, Whakatāne (Flying Solo, 18 October)
Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 5 September)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 10 August)
Youngatira Film Festival (tutor, 1 August)

2019| Department of Conservation (The Art of Storytelling, 12 December)
Equity Foundation at TAPAC (Performing in the Intimate Zone, 1 December)
Te Pou Theatre (Performing in the Intimate Zone, 19 October)
Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 22 September)
Howick Little Theatre (Performing in the Intimate Zone, 21 September)
Waihi Drama Society (Flying Solo, 22 June)
The Actors’ Program (The Craft of Acting, 7 May)
Trinity College London, in Wellington (The Craft of Acting, 3 May)
Covert Theatre (musical theatre workshop, 21 February, 24 March, 28 April)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 8-11 April)
NASDA (Specialist Musical Theatre tutor, 5 April)
University of Canterbury, School of Music (Visiting vocal coach, 3-4 April)
Music Theatre New Zealand National Conference (Flying Solo, 22 March)
Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 16-17 March)
DEGNZ (Directing in the Intimate Zone, 10 March)
New Zealand Singing School (musical theatre faculty, 4-14 January)

2018| Surfdale Hall, Waiheke (The Craft of Acting, 27-28 October)
Directors & Editors Guild of New Zealand (Rehearsal Dynamics Workshop, 22 September)
Waikato University (Flying Solo, 6 September)
Musical Theatre New Zealand Boot Camp (Flying Solo, 25-26 August)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 9-12 April; The Craft of Acting, 8 May)
Trinity College, Tauranga (The Craft of Acting, 24 March)
58th National Conference, Musical Theatre New Zealand (Flying Solo, 16 March)

2017| Teaching workshop for New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir, Christchurch (4 October)
School of Music, University of Canterbury, Christchurch (visiting vocal coach, 27 September)
Musical Theatre New Zealand Boot Camp (Flying Solo, 19-20 August)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 7-10 August)
Equity Foundation, Auckland (The Craft of Acting, 16 July)
NASDA, Christchurch (Flying Solo, 4 July)
Equity Foundation, Christchurch (The Craft of Acting, 2 July)
Trinity College, Christchurch (The Craft of Acting, 27 May)
Trinity College, Auckland (The Craft of Acting, 20 May)
University of Auckland, School of Music, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (Flying Solo, 11 May)
Matamata Dramatic Society (The Craft of Acting, 29-30 April)
New Zealand Singing School (musical theatre faculty, 5-15 January)

2016| University of Auckland, School of Music, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (Flying Solo, 15 September)
Music Theatre New Zealand (Flying Solo, 20-21 August)
Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 6-7 August),
Equity Foundation, Wellington (The Craft of Acting, 11 June)
Waihi Drama Society (The Craft of Acting, 4-5 June)
Choral workshop, New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir (23 April)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 11-14 April)
The Actors’ Program (The Craft of Acting, 4-7 April)

2015| Visiting vocal coach, University of Canterbury School of Music, Christchurch (14-15 October)
Equity Foundation, New Zealand Broadcasting School, Christchurch (The Craft of Acting, 10 October)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 20-23 April)
The Actors’ Program (The Craft of Acting, 1-2 April)
New Zealand Singing School (musical theatre faculty, 7-17 January)

2014| Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 30-31 August)
Hamilton Operatic Society (Flying Solo, 2-3 August)
Tauranga Musical Theatre / 16th Avenue Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 12-13 July)
16th Ave Theatre (The Craft of Acting, July 12 & 13)
Hamilton Operatic Society (The Craft of Acting, 8-9 March)
Christchurch International Musical Theatre Summer School, Emerging Musical Theatre Professionals Workshop (specialist musical theatre tutor, 27 January-1 February)
Centre City Music Theatre (Flying Solo, 16 January)

2013| Tauranga Musical Theatre (Flying Solo, 26 October)
Diocesan School for Girls, year 13 students (specialist acting tutor, 6 September)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 22-24 April)

2012| Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 18-19 August)
The Actors’ Program (Flying Solo, 5-12 June)

2011| Howick Little Theatre (Directing Actors, 24-25 September)
New Zealand Actors’ Equity (Flying Solo, 17 July)
Auckland Theatre Company Summer School (Flying Solo, January)

2010| Auckland Theatre Company Summer School (Flying Solo, 13 January)

2009| Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, second year actors (specialist musical theatre tutor and director of final recital, 15-17 September)
New Plymouth Girls High School, Taranaki International Festival of the Arts School Programme (specialist musical theatre tutor, 30 July)
Howick Little Theatre (Directing Actors, 21-22 March)
Centre City Music Theatre Summer School (Flying Solo, 15 January)
Auckland Theatre Company Summer School (Flying Solo, 14 January)

2008| Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting, 22-23 November)
Centre City Music Theatre Summer School (Flying Solo, January)

2006| The Performing Arts School of New Zealand (Flying Solo, 15-17 September)
Howick Little Theatre (The Craft of Acting)

2005| The Performing Arts School of New Zealand, Star Turn singing workshop (specialist musical theatre tutor, 1-2 October)
Unitec (Flying Solo, 19-21 September)