Non-actors can take theatre courses, too

 

The Theatre Department offers courses for non-theatre students in acting, storytelling, production and design.

The series started with Behind the Scenes and Introduction to Acting for Non-Acting Students. Since 2000, students in more than 50 programs from throughout the university have enjoyed these courses.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes was developed by Philip Spensley to expose students to the Montreal theatre scene.

Alarey Alsip, an independent student, loved the experience.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but truly I can say it has altered my life.

“It has also brought more out of me. I started feeling less shy around people. I started going to see the theatre more, too.”

500 students

Introduction to Acting for Non-Theatre Students is even more popular. It was developed by Gene Gibbons and Bryan Doubt, and more than 500 Concordia students have taken it over the past three years.

Rene Hidalgo, a business graduate, said, “Intro to Acting may very well be the most important course you never thought to take.

“As a John Molson alumnus, I found that this class was the perfect balance to the corporate environment of my core classes. I may never pursue this field professionally, but it gave me a deep insight into who I am and what I really want in life.”

Recent additions to these possibilities for non-theatre students include Telling Tales, a course in storytelling developed by director-playwright Lib Spry, and Visual Aspects of Performance, a course in theatrical space and kinetics developed by Gene Gibbons.

Gibbons said, “These courses give students poise and self-confidence, and make them more creative and tolerant.

“We also hope to make the public more aware of the arts and more supportive of arts programming in schools.”

Summer section

A new summer section of Introduction to Acting has been added for summer 2005. Called TPER 201/1, it runs from May 30 to June 16.

You can get more information by contacting the department at 848-2424, ext. 4747.