Performance for writers
When doing a reading, writers often mumble, shuffle pages, don’t make eye contact. A reading is a show and needs a certain kind of showmanship. Beth Kaplan brings the experience of making the journey from actor to writer, from a hugely communal job to one that is completely solitary, to a discussion about the kind of skills that make a teacher more engaging, and a writer a better performer. Drawing on her experience on stage, she’ll then create an interactive opportunity for writers to build their public reading and presentation skills. Participants should bring a small excerpt of their work or have in mind a short talk they want to give, to use for practice. Participation will be strictly voluntary.
About Beth Kaplan:
A writer and writing teacher in Toronto for over 20 years, I’m the author of a biography, a memoir and a textbook about writing memoir and in 2012 was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award at U of T. I spent my twenties as a professional actor in Vancouver, with a career on stage and radio. At 30, I left to get an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and have babies.
Being a writing teacher draws on all my skills as a performer, and now I work as a producer too. Recently I created a reading series for my long-term students called “So True: Life stories well written, well told, “ in which they read their most powerful stories on stage, in front of an audience (www.sotrue.ca.) Beforehand, we work together on their performance skills - voice, projection, relaxation.
Fee: $25 CNFC Members, $40 Non-members
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