Workshops
Performer’s Exchange Project (PEP) is excited to offer a variety of workshop and residency opportunities to schools, colleges and theatre artists on any aspect of our work in developing original performance, including workshops on:
- creating original “personal” material and/or strategies for developing original text;
- developing a step-by-step process of combining action and text;
- utilizing source material as the inspiration for creating original performance.
All of our performance building strategies are suitable for any sort of group or individual interested in experimenting with new processes for creating original performance. Contrary to most American theatre companies, PEP does not begin with the assumption that the script or text, of necessity, holds the keys to the creation of the play. Rather, we begin our work (and our workshops) with a question: What is a PLAY? Is it a document written by an individual and then staged and performed by a separate group of artists? Or is it, possibly, a more collaborative venture?
PEP places an equal emphasis on the development of a written score or “text” and the development of each actor’s physical score or “action.” Both text and action, we propose, are equally valuable components for creating the entire live event witnessed by an audience – The Play. We also propose that developing unexpected combinations of text and action (whether these combinations are used to create material for one character or a scene of characters) adds serendipitous freshness and surprise to the finished work.
To date we have offered workshops at:
- Piedmont Virginia Community College, in Charlottesville, VA
- Mary Baldwin College, in Staunton, VA
- Hollins University, in Roanoke, VA
- Live Arts, in Charlottesville
Please contact us at pepcville@gmail.com for more information on working with us to develop a residency or workshop for your group or students.
