Present: An Acting & Audition Workshop

So I hosted an acting class. I can’t emphasize enough how exciting it is for me to be able to publish that sentence. It has genuinely been a dream of mine to create this for years.

Throughout my undergrad experience I taught myself a very useful skill: how to learn through a filter. One of my favorite things an instructor as ever told me was “Everything I will ever tell you is 100% right, and it’s also 100% wrong. It’s up to you to figure it out.” (Shout out to Jackie Apodaca) Most of the things she had to say I think were more in the “right” category, but it’s still such an invaluable lesson. I had to learn how to learn from someone who might not particularly “like” me, or someone who I may not really “like”, or someone who I felt refused to acknowledge perspectives that challenged their own views. Each time, I had to construct a custom filter to let the knowledge this instructor had to offer to me come through. While, simultaneously un-hearing the things that were of no use to me. I truly believe this is a necessary skill for any student— finding a way to absorb the wisdom and teachings a person may have to offer, despite what may separate you from them. But, I think I can do more, I felt challenged to create my own learning space for others, Let’s create out of what we don’t like, not just sit in it. Right?

My goal with this was not to prove I’m some prophet among acting teachers, (trust me, I have much to learn) but rather create a space where students can access higher levels of training in their own community. I have spent so much of my life struggling with self-doubt, and perpetually looking towards a goal that I’m reaching for— all the while assuming I’m only half-baked until I get there. Where the hell is there though? Who am I to decide when I’ve made it to this magical location/milestone? Here’s where I *actually am: back home in the Central Valley. I was born here, I was raised here, and now I have some recently acquired years of training. Years that I worked very hard for, years that I am immensely proud of. It takes a little bit of work to always do this, but I had give myself permission to be exactly where I am. I don’t have all the education I want yet, but I do still have something to offer at every step of the way. With a goal to create an acting class on my bucket list, and a desire to stop minimizing my own ability and self worth, it just made sense to create the thing I could, where I could, when I could.

This is that thing I created, Present: An Acting & Audition Workshop. Six slots filled with College Level actors, most of whom I had worked with recently in productions at Modesto Junior College, some of whom I had never really met. Over the course of a weekend, we set out to explore what it means to be “Present” both on stage and off. Using movement, guided meditation and selections from Michael Shurtleff’s Audition and Patsy Rodenburg’s The Second Circle. Then began to put it all into practice with scene-work, both cold read and memorized. These are the tools that most recently shook me, and stretched me, and changed my art. Concepts and techniques I never could have found with the artistic avenues available in the Valley, the central reason I am so thrilled to have hosted. It was incredible to have such willing participants, students who were there with a hunger to play and learn.

And now on to the next phase. I never intended to do this only once and then put it to bed, I just never really thought past this point out of previous disbelief that I was ready. But, here we are on the other side of it. So what’s next? Well, I was thrilled to receive interest from so many local actors, but I really wanted to keep the class small. So I’m planning more. The same goal, but with the ability to either come for your first time, or return to keep working. This new structure will allow for the sort of “Curriculum” Day 1, and the “Applied” Day 2. Bring a scene partner and memorize a scene together, and let’s workshop the fuck out of it.

I’m so energized by this experience, and I’m eager to plan the next session. Here are some reflections I received from the actors, as well as a few images from the weekend.

“Present was an immersive workshop that gave me the opportunity to unpack and apply the concept of being attentive, reactive, and vulnerable in scenework. Patrick commanded attention as an instructor while still managing to disarm his students and create a safe space to stumble, evaluate, and learn. I experienced noticeable growth over the course of the workshop: left feeling better prepared to trust my decisions on stage, be vulnerable with scene partners and in front of auditors. I gained new knowledge that is highly applicable to my future endeavors in performance which is so valuable in an area with a limited access to theatre education.”

— Alexandra S

“I went into this workshop blind, but eager for whatever was to be thrown my way. I expected sole emphasis on the logistics of scenes, but was surprised to see the workshop broach the concept of being present, and emotionally grounded in whatever environment provided. Patrick offered approaches to scenes that I normally would not have even considered. I was challenged, but I grew from this experience.”

— Julian G

“I walked in feeling unprepared, heavy and stressed; I hadn’t attended an acting workshop before, so I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I learned in such a short amount of time, I felt like I gained a week’s worth of knowledge in just two days. By the time it was over I wished it was a class I could take weekly. I genuinely enjoyed the exercises Patrick guided us through, Patrick exposed me to acting techniques I had never put into practice. I never once felt judged or put down, It was clear that we were all there to grow and learn from each other. I left feeling inspired and confident, I will most definitely join the next session.”

— Kayla B

“I want to first say thank you Patrick for creating a free workshop for actors in the area. We really need more people like you to create a space for actors to practice and learn. I was scared at first because it had been awhile since I acted, but it was such a magical experience. Thank you so much! I definitely want to come back and do it again. ”

— Jasmin S

Peter and the Starcatcher

In the Fall of 2018 I worked with Modesto Junior College’s Theatre Department performing Peter and the Starcatcher. I served as both the Assistant Director and Music Director for this production. To be fair, it is not a musical, but rather a play with music, so I was able to wear the two hats without neglecting either responsibility.

It was a fantastic experience to return where I obtained my foundational theatre education, and help the current students put on a wonderful show.

Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice.

Directed by: Lynette Borelli-Glidewell

Set Design: Ty Helton

Lighting Design: Kevin Saunders

Costume Design: Mary Reilly

Stage Manager: Tatiana Covington-Parra

Hairspray!

At Modesto Junior College I served as the Assistant Director and Music Assistant, and eventually was added to the cast playing the role of Corny Collins. It wasn’t a combination I planned, but I was happy to rise to the occasion. I joined the production early on, the creative team had a new music director who had never worked on a musical before, especially one as complicated as Hairspray. I had the right experience under my belt to be asked to join efforts, and together we got the complex score taught and memorized among the various members of the cast.

Playing Corny was an experience of its own, made especially memorable by acting opposite my wife, playing Tracy Turnblad, but I’m happy to have had the opportunity to work on a production that demands so much diligence from it’s cast, crew, and creative team.

Reasons to be Pretty

At Southern Oregon University, my Thesis production to complete my B.F.A in Directing was scenes from Reason’s to be Pretty by Neil Labute. This challenging piece provided many fast moving— and even faster talking scenes, presenting a beautiful opportunity to showcase the skills I learned from my mentors. Focusing only on the scenes with Greg and Stephanie, charting the relationship Labute maps out for these two, omitting the secondary relationships. The 1 hour performance was quite a significant milestone for me as a director. I remember quickly adding some extra chairs to squeeze in the last few members of the audience, an audience of people coming together to watch my work.

The experience was challenging, but full of discoveries and so many moments of pride, excitement, and joy. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with two actors with the level of skill to bring these characters to a fully human reality.

Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

In the fall of 2016 I worked on Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui in collaboration with Oregon Center for the arts at Southern Oregon University. I applied and was accepted to assistant direct beside Jackie Apodaca, an instructor and mentor I was lucky enough to learn from during my time at SOU.

This show was incredibly challenging to work through, as the material directly depicts the rise of Adolf Hitler in nazi Germany. If the subject matter weren’t challenging enough on its own, the production was slated to open the same week of the 2016 election, I trust you can understand the ironic, but oddly perfect(?) timing for this show.

My most noteworthy contribution to the production was the preshow which included a full band, made up of actors in the show, singing and playing swing hits from the time period of the show. In addition to staging and rehearsing the preshow, I created staging for the opening sequence prologue that remained a part of our blocking for the final show. All this to say, my assisting during the rehearsal process was a bit atypical for the department as student directors are usually there to learn from watching, not necessarily joining the fray.

This show truly was a masterpiece, something I don’t think I’ve ever experienced in a theatre elsewhere. Most of this praise really goes to Jackie, a director who understood Brecht so thoroughly we could all easily join in bringing her vision to life.