OCER 5910 - An Actor's Toolkit: Theatre Techniques for Dynamic Public Speaking

"Make the difficult do-able, the do-able easy, and the easy beautiful." Constantin Stanislavski.

In this course, students learn to become more charismatic and compelling communicators in English through training in contemporary acting techniques. They learn to transform stage presence into public presence by harnessing the power of dramatic storytelling and objective-driven performance.

By practicing core theatrical performance approaches—scene study, group improvisation, and voice and speech work—students acquire skills in purposeful communication, collaborative devising, and vocal and physical expressiveness. Regular performances in class and a final public presentation push students to reimagine their relationship with the audience, shifting from apprehension to curiosity and connection.

Designed for all levels – from those with no acting experience to seasoned performers—this course fosters a constructive community where students feel comfortable experimenting, failing, and taking creative risks to hone their acting chops and forge their public voice. Both anglophone students and international speakers of English are encouraged to join the course.

Each session begins with a rigorous physical and vocal warm-up, followed by group improvisation exercises. In the second half of class, students focus on analyzing and performing scenes from two English-language plays, developing their ability to integrate intellectual, psychological, creative, physical, and vocal elements to create a dynamic dramatic performance.

The course will be "pass" or "fail". The validation of the course will be based on class participation, timely compliance with deadlines and the overall quality of the writing assignments.

This course demands active participation and an ensemble spirit. Most of the work is practical - “on our feet” – and with others. Students work together intensively during class and rehearse weekly with partners or small groups outside of class. Each group gives four in-class rehearsal-performances and a final public presentation, progressing from structured improvisatory études to fully memorized, fully realized performances. Students build ensemble skills, confidence, and professional discipline by rehearsing regularly outside of class. They read and analyze two contemporary plays for their scene work, and may choose to read optional material on the theory and practice of acting, dramatic structure, and presence.

Students will have the opportunity to attend two live theatre performances in Paris, experiences that will greatly enrich our work in the atelier. Together, we will assess each performance: What makes a performance compelling? What can live theatre teach us about storytelling, presence, and public speaking? How do actors use voice, body, and presence to connect with each other and with the audience? Attendance is optional but strongly encouraged.