After World War II, American theater-makers became interested in overturning old traditions by exploring psychoanalysis and naturalism. At the same time, Americans were examining and questioning systemic injustice. Mid-century playwrights like Tennessee Williams explored the ways both personal relationships and the pressures of society at large can push the human heart to its breaking point. In this 6-week intensive scene study class, actors will delve into the complex work and heightened language of great playwrights like Williams, Lorraine Hansberry, Clifford Odets, Alice Childress, and Arthur Miller. Through text analysis, body work, and intensive, process-oriented scene study, actors will learn to make some of theatre’s greatest roles soar.
April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14
Emily Chase recently directed Eight Nights at Antaeus (LA Times Critics Choice, Ovation Recommended). Her other directing credits include Dakin Matthews’s Divorce Court Hell (Antaeus); productions at Sierra Madre Playhouse, The Road Theatre, Theater 40, and numerous developmental workshops at Antaeus, The Road Theatre, Playwrights Union, Moving Arts, Met Theater, and Classical Theater Lab. Her past classes at the Antaeus Academy include: It’s Alive! The Nuts and Bolts of Acting in New Plays; Modern Classics; and Ringing the Rafters: Voice for the Classical Actor. She has taught acting and directed productions at UCLA, the University of Southern California, U.C. Riverside, AMDA, and A Noise Within. She is the Director of the Antaeus Playwrights Lab. As an actress, she has performed at Antaeus in As You Like It, Tonight at 8:30, Cousin Bette, Peace In Our Time, Patience, Trial By Jury, The Liar. Additional acting credits include South Coast Rep, Mark Taper Forum, The Matrix Theatre, The El Portal Theatre, Getty Center, Ford Theater, and in TV, film, and web series. She recently starred in the film Ready, which was selected by the Cannes Short Film Corner. Emily earned her M.F.A. from UCLA.
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*member, Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S. This production is presented under the auspices of the Actors’ Equity Los Angeles Membership Company Rule
