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Action methods group work for performing arts students

A process-oriented course in which action methods ("learning by doing") provide students with insight into the processes behind auditions and training in how to cope with them. In addition, students learn strategies for optimizing both their performance at employment interviews and their ability to make important career choices.

Benefits for students:

  • They are better prepared, emotionally and mentally, for entering into the competitive performing arts job market.

  • They gain a broader understanding of the factors influencing auditions.

  • They are able to view directors/choreographers/employers as vulnerable human beings with responsibilities and obligations of their own.

  • Their self-confidence increases and they can tackle "rejections" more easily.

  • They learn techniques for radiating personal warmth, integrity and inner security when dealing with figures of authority.

  • They practise creating their own life-opportunities using visualization techniques.

  • They gain insight into their personal resources in roles other than that of a "performing artist".

  • They give and receive positive feedback about professional and personal qualities.

  • They learn to create, define and share a positive vision of all aspects of their personal future life in the short and longer term.

 

 

This 6-hour course runs over two consecutive days with a 3-hour session each day.
Maximum number of participants: 40.                                             

 


Feedback from student participants

 

Final-year students at the Norwegian College of Dance attended this 2-day, 6-hour course with Wayne McKnight in 2008. They wrote anonymously to the dean of the college about their experience:

"Very encouraging work. I feel that my self-confidence has increased as a result of this course. It's good that the focus has been on auditioning and that time is set aside for preparing us for life when we are no longer students.”

"I was very positively surprised. We have learnt how best to present ourselves at auditions, which was very useful. During the course, we worked at discovering our positive sides and are now more able to define our goals for the future."

"This course has removed many of the falsehoods about ourselves that we dancers are burdened with. You cannot enter the professional dance world without faith in yourself."

"In particular, I think that it was so important that we sat in groups and gave each other positive feedback. It felt good and was also touching. It builds self-confidence.
There are a lot of good things about this course!"

"This course has given me a new kind of confidence. It felt good to be encouraged to express feelings openly and learn about ourselves and others."

"I found the classes with Wayne very useful. I've learned a lot about myself - both from within myself and from the others. I feel we did many exercises that put me in contact with the "real me." We learnt a lot about audition techniques and how to “take command of the room”. Good classes!”

"I feel I have learnt a great deal about myself and the thoughts that I go around with that I didn’t know were there."

"I think it has helped me to plan my future life. It has also strengthened the team spirit in our class.”

"This course helped us to come out of our shells and have more faith in ourselves. A good course to have just before we finish at college!"

”This course gave me an insight into my own thoughts. I think it provides a lot of necessary skills when you are about to start looking for work. We have learnt techniques to probe our "inner selves" and things I feel I will need later on - both professionally and in my private life!"

"The content of the course was well planned and covered both preparations for auditions and for future life as a performer. Creates confidence!"

                                           

Photo: Ø.R. Haugen©