Training

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How To Book - Includes information on payment methods, concession rates and special offers

Training Links - Resources and more information about Linklater voice training

QSE Education page - For more details on our workshop programs, and how a customised QSE training program can work for you

Courses for 2010

Linklater Voice Training

For actors, teachers, public speakers - anyone who uses their voice

  • Free your natural voice
  • Unleash the full power and range of your speaking voice
  • Acquire a deeper understanding of how your voice works
  • Train with the only certified Linklater teacher in Queensland offering classes to the public

The Linklater Voice Progression is one of the most popular and comprehensive methods for strengthening and toning the speaking voice worldwide. For more on the methodology, visit http://www.kristinlinklater.com, and read Kristin's groundbreaking book, Freeing the Natural Voice.

Linklater Voice 1

An excellent introduction to the Linklater technique for those with no previous experience of it; repeat students will refresh and deepen their connection to the work. QSE's intensive, 12-hour course focuses on the first part of the Progression, including connection to breath and vibration, and covering a range of simple exercises for releasing tension and increasing resonance. Led by QSE Artistic Director Rob Pensalfini, a fully certified Linklater teacher and a senior lecturer in Linguistics and Drama at UQ.

Dates: Saturdays in February - 13, 20, 27
Times: 12noon - 4pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Whitlam Space

Cost: $150 Concession / $170 Full + membership ($15) **

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Linklater Voice 2

Follows on from the first half of the Progression and requires previous training or admission by the instructor. The intensive, 12-hour course will focus on releasing habitual tension and increasing resonance in different areas of the body while keeping a connection to breath, thought and psychophysical sensation. Articulation and clarity of thought are also covered. This course is repeatable and those with experience will refresh and deepen their connection to the work. Led by QSE Artistic Director Rob Pensalfini, a fully certified Linklater teacher and a senior lecturer in Linguistics and Drama at UQ.

Dates: Saturdays in March - 6, 13, 20
Times: 12noon - 4pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Warehouse Space (6th and 13th), Whitlam Space (20th)

Cost: $150 Concession / $170 Full + membership ($15) **

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Drop-In Voice Workout

Back by popular demand! Discover new Linklater exercises, keep the skills you've learned up-to-date, deepen your understanding of the Progression and continue to develop your personal warm-up ritual - but most importantly, have fun and release stress by exploring your voice with the Core Ensemble! Each session lasts 45 minutes and you may drop-in as many times as you like. Attending this course alongside QSE's other Linklater classes will increase your understanding of the work. The Workout requires previous training or admission by the instructor - contact training@qldshakespeare.org for more information.

Dates: Mondays - February 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Times: 6pm - 6:45pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Whitlam Space

Cost: $15 each session (exact change or cheque ONLY - no bank transfer); QSE Membership is included in first class for new members

Bookings are not required for the Drop-In Voice Workout

Weekend Intensive Linklater Voice Course

Day One (Saturday): An excellent introduction to the Linklater technique for those with no previous experience of it; repeat students will refresh and deepen their connection to the work. QSE's intensive, 6-hour course focuses on the first part of the Progression, including connection to breath and vibration, and covering a range of simple exercises for releasing tension and increasing resonance.

Day Two (Sunday): This follows on from the first half of the Progression. The intensive, 6-hour course will focus on releasing habitual tension and increasing resonance in different areas of the body while keeping a connection to breath, thought and psychophysical sensation. Articulation and clarity of thought are also covered. Those with experience in the Linklater Technique will refresh and deepen their connection to the work.

QSE Artistic Director Rob Pensalfini, a fully certified Linklater teacher and a senior lecturer in Linguistics and Drama at UQ, leads this course.

Dates: Saturday July 3 and Sunday July 4
Times: 10am - 5pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Whitlam Space (Saturday) and Warehouse Space (Sunday)

Cost: $150 + membership ($15) **

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Speaking Shakespeare in your Own Voice

  • Connect to the audience without fear
  • Find a deeper connection to Shakespeare's words
  • Tell your personal story through the words of the character
  • Develop specificity and an ability to think clearly while emotionally engaged

QSE's basic training course is designed to remove the distance between you and Shakespeare's words. Past students have noted the compassion and care exercised in dealing with what is often personally confronting material, and the clarity, confidence, and joy the training engenders. Small class size ensures each participant will receive personal attention.

Training Block A

Dates: Sundays - February 14, 21, 28
Times: 12noon - 4pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Whitlam Space

Training Block B

Dates: Sundays in March - 7, 14, 21
Times: 12noon - 4pm
Venue: !Metro Arts Studio 4.2 (7th), Warehouse Space (14th), Whitlam Space (21st)

Cost: $150 Concession / $170 Full + membership ($15) **

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Shakespeare's Playground: Persuasion, Resonance, Memory, Play

Drawing on QSE's Speaking Shakespeare in your Own Voice and Linklater work from the early part of the progression, QSE veteran Christina Koch leads presenters, public speakers, teachers and anyone who wants to improve their vocal confidence through a dynamic five hour workshop. Material on the development of memory and rhetoric is also covered, all through a look at the life and work of William Shakespeare.

Cost: $130 Concession / $180 Full + membership ($15)
Bookings: Contact Christina on 0423 295 493 or christinakoch@bigpond.com

Ballina

Date: Saturday May 29
Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Ballina RSL Club, 240 River Street, Ballina, New South Wales

Theatre of the Oppressed

Become a Joker

For Teachers, Directors, Theatre Devisers & Other Cultural Fieldworkers.

"...more than a course about performance it is a course that teaches people about the art of living and responding to the world as a creative being."
- '09 participant Paul Bishop, Actor & Creator of Arts Evolution

Practical group exercises are included; plus techniques from Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, Rainbow of Desire, and Games for Actors and Non-Actors; plus Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) history and pedagogy. Led by Artistic Director of the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble Rob Pensalfini, who trained extensively with noted TO practitioner Brent Blair and in 2006, pioneered the first ever prison project to combine TO and Shakespeare (the program was successfully repeated in 2009 and has received Arts Queensland funding for 2010). Rob is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Drama at the University of Queensland, a Designated Linklater voice teacher, and an experienced director and actor of Shakespeare.

Theatre of the Oppressed was established in the early 1970s by director/political activist Augusto Boal, for people engaged in the struggle for liberation - both against external/societal oppressors and inside their own minds. It seeks to be a "rehearsal for the revolution" for people who want to effect change in their own lives and those of their communities.

Cost: $350 Full / $325 Concession
Dates: Five days: February 6 - 10 (Saturday to Wednesday)
Times: 9am - 5pm
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: pay in full by 14th January and pay $300.
Location: University of Queensland campus in Ipswich (carpooling possible)

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: To book, send your name, e-mail address and mobile number to pensalfi@bigpond.net.au. Please note that bookings are not confirmed until full payment is received (bank transfer, cheque or money order).

FREE Theatre of the Oppressed Workshops

For teachers, students, artists, social-workers, therapists, community-builders, anyone with a social question...

"Theatre of the Oppressed is the Game of Dialogue: we play and learn together."
- Augusto Boal, Rio de Janeiro 2004

Several opportunities to experience Augusto Boal's world-famous approach to theatrical community-building are coming very soon:

  • Facilitator Training - 15-19 February 9.30-noon at UQ Ipswich campus – free except for one-off $15 membership fee
  • Public Workshops - February 14th, March 14th, April 11th 7-10pm at Indooroopilly Library - free!

Bookings are essential for all: e-mail

Note that for the public workshops minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Facilitator Training

Volunteers Needed: QSE is in need of 'spectactors' to assist in facilitator training for the 2010 prison project - Arts in Community Enhancement (ACE).

What's in it for you: This is an excellent opportunity to gain further experience with the incredibly powerful Theatre of the Oppressed (TO) work, or as an introduction to satisfy your curiosity. Sessions will be lead by 3rd-time Lead Facilitator Rob Pensalfini, and other artist-facilitators from the 2010 QSE Ensemble.

What's included: Forms may include Forum Theatre, Rainbow or Desire, Image Theatre and other Games for Actors and Non-actors. QSE's Shakespeare rehearsal methods may also be used.

What's required: No acting, TO or Shakespeare experience is necessary. There is no other charge for participation besides QSE membership, and you are welcome to bring a friend. Volunteers will need to:

  • book in advance
  • be at least 18 years of age
  • be or become a 2010 QSE member ($15 fee)
  • commit to attending at least 2 of the 5 training days (Monday to Friday 9.30am - 12noon, 15 - 19 February)
  • have transportation to the Ipswich campus of the University of Queensland

The ACE Project: The project will be held in a maximum-security prison from February-April, fusing TO games with Shakespeare rehearsal and performance. ACE is supported by Arts Queensland, the University of Queensland and the Department of Corrective Services.

Dates/Times: 15 - 19 February (Monday - Friday), 9:30am - 12noon
Location: University of Queensland campus in Ipswich

Please Note: Participants will not be required to do anything they don't wish to do. Volunteers will act as audience members and 'spectactors' only, and will not be expected to lead, or 'Joker,' the TO work at any time. The sessions will focus on training the facilitators; therefore participants with in-depth queries about TO methods may be referred to reference materials unless time allows and the question is relevant to facilitator training.

Public Workshops

QSE is also offering 3 free public sessions, each led by Rob Pensalfini and other ACE facilitators, as a way to engage the community with this incredible approach to performance and storytelling. No acting experience is necessary, and audience participation is absolutely voluntary.

Potential performance forms include Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, Rainbow of Desire, and other Games for Actors and Non-actors.

Dates/Times: - 2nd Sundays: February 14th 7pm - 10pm, March 14th 7pm - 10pm, April 11th 7pm - 10pm
Location: Indooroopilly Library Meeting Room - come around the back entrance in the car park, near the book drop, around the corner from the cinema entrance.

For more information about Augusto Boal and Theatre of the Oppressed, visit www.theatreoftheoppressed.org.