Tuesdays, February 14 through March 21
6:45–9:15 p.m. ET
Virtual

Reserve by February 13, 11:59 p.m. ET

Instructor: Matt Castleman
Prior experience: Not required

Whether it’s the boardroom or lunchroom, client or co-worker, maximize the potential of every meeting, presentation, and negotiation in the business world. Learn how to listen and communicate more effectively and become more relaxed, present, and persuasive in public speaking through the study of physical, vocal, analytical, and textual techniques used by actors and directors in the theatre.

Essential Question:

• How do theatre professionals employ text analysis, objectives, and tactics to enhance communication and personalize text?
• What tools and strategies do theatre professionals employ to engage their audiences? How can business professionals apply these tools and strategies to enhance their communication?

Course Objectives: Participants will…

• Define and utilize objective, tactics, and given circumstances.
• Study text analysis tools that are used by classical actors.
• Learn how to use their voices safely and effectively.
• Practice ways to decrease anxiety and increase confidence when speaking in front of others.

Course Outcomes: Participants will be able to…

• Paraphrase and personalize text.
• Identify beats, shifts, operative words, tactics, and given circumstances for presentations and other business communication.
• Breath deeply and mindfully to project their voices safely and efficiently.

Enduring Understandings:

• A detailed analysis of the text makes for a more organized, lively presentation.
• Successful communicators thoroughly investigate their given circumstances and invest in an objective.
• Engaging presenters distill complicated ideas and imagery for an audience without losing the beauty of the imagery or the complexity of the thought.
• Communication is most effective when the presenter takes the time to invest personally in their material.
• Both actors and business professionals communicate information through their bodies and environment, whether they intend to or not.
• A relaxed, confident presenter facilitates a relaxed and confident audience.

Workshops by Week:

1. Exploring the Text
2. Tracking the Changes
3. Setting the Stage
4. Rehearsing the Options
5. Speaking the Truth
6. Sharing the Work

Matthew Castleman is a stage actor and writer originally from New York City, now making D.C. his home. Shakespeare has been the core of his performing career for years, and in that time he’s done workshops, classes, and educational performances up and down the East Coast. As an author he’s visited many schools and libraries and taught kids from elementary to high school about storytelling, dramatic structure, and the creative process. Matt spent the summer of 2019 teaching and directing at STC’s Camp Shakespeare, and also works as a teaching artist with Wolf Trap’s early childhood program. When not on stage or at a keyboard he can be found practicing 14th-century German fencing (competently) and bass guitar (less so).