Spring 2021 Newsletter

Identity and Inclusion in the Core Curriculum

Theatre lives and breathes, and so too should the works that we use in the classroom. As we assign works that have something to say about the human experience or do something interesting with the stage as canon, it is impossible to deny that pieces created by white cis straight men are overwhelmingly upheld as the only texts worth teaching. As Freehold continues to explore its own internal biases and works to decouple itself from whiteness, we have been made aware of the ways in which our texts (some of which have not been updated since the early 2000s) do not fully encapsulate the world we live in. In an effort to present a wealth of identities and experiences to our students, Annette Toutonghi, Carter Rodriquez, and Elena Flory-Barnes have spearheaded a revision of the texts that are taught in our Core Curriculum scene study classes (Acting Step II and III).... read more

Engaged Theatre: Music, Community, and Collaboration in Auntie Val 

Before COVID put a hold on many theatre productions, a play was commissioned for the 2020 Engaged Theatre Tour: Auntie Val. Written by longtime Artistic Partner and Freehold faculty member Daemond Arrindell, the play is a modern take on Brecht’s Mother Courage. The story revolves around the titular Auntie Val, a woman who prioritizes her own sense of control and those in her inner circle but must undergo a transformation to let go and accept the power of her community. The play uses a live score that is inspired by and incorporates elements of Conscious Hip Hop Artists like Killer Mike, Blue Scholars, and A Tribe Called Quest throughout. To learn more about the creative process and how it has evolved over the past year, we sat down with playwright Daemond Arrindell, lead actress Felicia Loud, and composer/DJ Jennifer Moore.... read more

Self-Tape with John Jacobsen

Interested in getting more comfortable on camera? Learn how to prepare, shoot and submit theatre, film, and TV auditions using your cellphone, tablet or laptop. The class will also showcase the best setups for lights, audio, and backgrounds as well as how to edit your audition. To get a taste for the class, click the big red button for a short video by John.

Self-Tape begins April 22nd; for more information about the class, discounted tuition rates, and more, follow the button.

Voice Over with Kira Dorrian

Grab your mic and get familiar with the recording booth. If you're interest in voice-over work, learn how to cold-read, look behind the phrasing of ad copy to identify possible client desires, quickly and effectively interpret copy, and learn how to take direction in the studio. The class will cover a variety of genres, including audiobook narration, radio and television ad copy, technical narration, and character work for video games and animation. To get a feel for the class, click the big red button for a short video by Kira.

Voice Over begins on April 19th, for more information about the class, discounted tuition rates, and more, follow the button.

Student Performances from Last Quarter

At the end of every quarter, students from some of our classes have the opportunity to share what they've created in a series of student performances. From plays to poetry to scenes, students flex all that they've learned in these short sequences. If you haven't been able to attend, check out our video from last quarter's Spoken Word and Poetry class with Daemond Arrindell!