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Workshops
Rich has used
drama with groups in every age group from nursery school to retirement centers.
He has also worked with people at every level of experience from beginner to college
student to professional. Here is a representative list of some of the workshops
he can bring to your group:
Enacted Prayer:
Based in sociodrama, enacted prayer is simply praying with movement rather than words. Rich has taught the prayer form throughout North America, and has found that it gives people a more clear prayer direction, gets people excited about praying, and is often answered dramatically.
For more about enacted prayer click here.
Sociodrama:
This dynamic technique can be used on its own or in conjunction with any of Rich's
plays or presentations. Rich leads groups in an exploration of a theme which the
group helps define. Individuals act out the theme in a specific scenario. Rich
uses several techniques to direct the action in ways which explore the theme most
valuably. Once the action is completed, Rich leads a discussion of what was learned
through the process. Rich's masters thesis was based on a sociodrama program he
taught.
For sociodrama resources click here.
Sociodrama
for Playwrights: Plots and dialogue can be created and reworked using this
technique. The author can see the characters moving, hear them talking, and even
know their thoughts, and then take that back to the keyboard. Attendees are encouraged
to take what was discovered in the workshop and use it as a springboard for their
own work. Sociodrama
for Actors and Directors: Though non-actors can benefit greatly from sociodrama,
it can be a very powerful tool to help directors help actors. Scenes which are
referred to, but not seen in plays can be brought to life through sociodrama,
so that the actors actually have a memory of what they're describing in the play.
The emotions of characters can be explored in ways that are helpful to everyone
involved. The
Physical Actor: Rich has been described as "the converted version of
Jim Carrey." Rich has developed a workshop in which he teaches how to develop
a character from head to toe. This is Rich's most popular workshop. Writing
for Stage and/or Screen: Rich has written a majority of the plays that he
performs around the world. In his workshops he shares insights he's learned from
his own work and from those who taught him: Tina Howe (nominated for the Pulitzer
Prize, the Tony and the OBIE), Jerome Coopersmith (Hawaii 5-0, American Christmas
Carol), Eric Bentley (Chief Translator for Bertolt Brecht), Lee and Janet Batchler
(Batman Forever, Smoke and Mirrors), and Sean Gaffney (Veggie Tales).
Sociodrama for Sunday Morning Because of the flexible nature of sociodrama,
it can be used in the Sunday morning service to explore the chosen scripture dramatically
and then live out the principles found in the text in a modern scenario. For churches
open to this kind of "sermon" the results can be profound and literally
life-transformational. In the scripture exploration section members of the congregation
(or workshop) come to the stage to step into the roles of the people in the text.
The director interviews them and some dialogue takes place, where appropriate.
It is not at all an attempt to rewrite scripture but rather a technique whereby
the feelings and emotions behind the text can be explored and experienced. In
taking the application into the here-and-now the participants create a scene based
on the themes of the scripture to which they've been warmed up. People go away
with a better understanding of the scripture and how to apply it to their own
lives. If
there is something specific you'd like Rich to address for your group and it isn't
listed here, he'd be glad to come up with something that fits the bill.
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