U-Cre8
an applied theatre business offering opportunities to explore your self- expression
Courses
All of our courses are designed to meet the student where they're at. You may be dipping your toe in the theatrical waters or a veteran to the boards, but with the unique instruction from two seasoned theatre practitioners your acting skills will be challenged and strengthened.
Scene Study*
Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm
October 15-November 19
This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a 3-4 minute scripted piece of theatre. You will be paired with a scene partner during the first session*. You will learn how to listen deeply and react authentically all while pursuing a specific objective using varied tactics.Each session begins with warm-ups to strengthen your voice, breath, attention, and flexibility. Acting exercises will guide you to analyze the text, character, motivation, objective, action, and tactics. You and your partner will receive individual and group instruction as you work to bring your scene to life.The sixth session will conclude with a scene showcase for friends and family!*Scene partners are expected to attend all 6 sessions.
Who & Where
Saturday 1:00-5:00 pm*
December 7
Who am I?The answer should be much more than ‘a middle-aged
mother of two’.Where am I?Again, the answer should be more specific than “a typical American kitchen.”It’s all in the specifics! “In general is the enemy of the actor”, as paraphrased from the GREAT acting teacher Konstantin Stanislavski.In the Who and Where workshop, you will explore character and environment using the “inside out and outside in” methods. Knowing your character and your surroundings intimately will enable you to create complex and believable moments on stage.
We will use both improvisation and scripted material to explore the WHO and the WHERE. (no memorization required)*scheduled for 4 hours w/2 15-minute breaks
Mastering the Monologue
Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm
January 21-February 25
It’s all about you and the script, but in the process, you’ll have fun while a supportive bond grows between you and your classmates.Each session begins with warm-ups to strengthen your voice, breath, attention, and flexibility. Acting exercises will guide you to analyze the text, character, motivation, objective, action, and tactics. You will explore the lesson topics by working with a fellow classmate. Together you’ll make discoveries about your monologues. You will receive individual and group feedback as you work to bring your monologue to life.The sixth session will conclude with a monologue showcase for friends and family!
Building Moments Beat by Beat
Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm
March 25-April 29
Have you ever thought about creating an original piece of theatre?Come and be guided by an expert with 10+ years in devised theatre. As an ensemble, you’ll choose a topic and explore the elements of theatre: space, light,
sound, movement, props, costuming, and text. Then you’ll craft a series of moments …exploring a universal question.This course provides structure as you allow yourself the freedom to play, discover, and create. You will be challenged to expand your imagination and say,
“Yes” to new perspectives. Come, embrace the opportunity to take creative risks and gain insight into your strengths and gifts.The sixth session will conclude with an invitation to your friends and family to share in your piece of theatrical exploration.
How & Why
Saturday 1:00-5:00 pm*
June 7
What do I want and HOW will I get it?And, WHY do I want it?This workshop will explore ways to delve into a scene to create authentic and compelling moments. We will explore the wide world of objectives and tactics and how you can use them to heighten your performance. When you leave the workshop, you will have exercises in your performer’s “tool belt” to create thrilling theater.We will use both improvisation and scripted material to explore the HOW and the WHY. (no memorization required)*scheduled for 4 hours w/2 15 minute breaks
Instructors
Janet Bixler, founder of U-Cre8, Theatre Education MA fr Emerson College & Education BS fr California Univ. of PA, performed as Hector in Cosmic Trash's Fringe show, Jennie Seidle in Talking Tombstones, and worked as co-director and production manager on HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown, a choreopoem by Maria James Thiaw.
During her six years as Theatre Director of Central Penn College’s Capital Blue Cross Theatre, she facilitated, directed, and produced over 25 productions. As a theatre practitioner of 25+ years, her love is devised theatre: bringing the lived experiences of the participants to life in an original production. She has taught acting, theatre arts, storytelling, improv, and devised theatre to participants from age 5-75.
Lisa Weitzman, Drama MA fr Villanova University & Education BS fr Penn State, former adjunct theater instructor at Harrisburg Area Community College. Lisa has over thirty years’ experience performing and teaching in the Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas. For sixteen of those years, she was the theater teacher/director at the Capital Area School for the Arts in Harrisburg.
She has graced the stages of Gamut Theatre, Theatre Harrisburg, Open Stage of Harrisburg, PA Renaissance Faire, as well as stages in Philadelphia. Since retiring from public school, Lisa has been loitering around the Harrisburg Improv Theater, improvising, and loving the vibe and awesome community of players!