Hey You All,

This is an incredibly difficult time for so many. Our families, our loved ones, and our communities are in peril from this Virus. Our hearts go out to those of you who are ill, or are grieving a loss, or have loved ones who are struggling. We are living in profound uncertainty: about how we will be changed by this, about our financial stability, and about what the future will hold. Art is where we turn at times like these.

Empathy is “…the ability to make a psychic and emotional connection with another person, to actually enter into their mind-space…the separateness between you and the other person fades. “ - Dr.Steve Taylor, Out of Darkness
 
We do this in Theatre. It’s what we do. We create the experience of ‘we are all in this together.

And we do this with each other. That which is intrinsic is not lost: it can be delayed, submerged, checked, but it does not disappear. It will not be destroyed. Our intuitive ability to sense, and see into, and be affected by each other will not die.

We will get through this: we will gather again; we will experience the power of communion between audience and performer, and the joy of live work; we will experience the vitality of practice, in solitude and collectively, again.

maybe...
This time is time to pay attention;
It’s time to look at the beauty and blessings that are here, now;
It’s time to notice that which will pass, and will not come back;
It is time to appreciate, to truly appreciate
this living
this being alive

This is all part of our artistic practice.

Stay safe, be well, take care of your people, and keep in touch with us. 

Onward,
Robin Lynn Smith
Artistic Director
Spring Quarter Class Updates
Thanks so much to our amazing and resilient students and alumni, making art and community wherever we are. We are so grateful for you and for the flexibility and ingenuity of our faculty and staff in this ever-evolving situation. Please check out our offerings and save your spot with a $75 deposit today. Forward this email to a friend who could benefit from a creative outlet in this time!
Many of our classes are less suited to video call instruction, so we'll be starting online and moving in-person once the stay-at-home order is lifted (tentatively May 4th). This is, of course, continually evolving, and will be adapted as necessary to keep our students and faculty safe. And, if you'd prefer to work online, we are thrilled to be able to bring you a suite of classes that you can take from the safety and comfort of your own home. Space is still open in some classes starting this week—and read on for a new addition!
ONLINE CLASSES
WORK YOUR VOICE!

Public Speaking with Gin Hammond
Starts this Saturday, April 18 - 2:30-4:30pm
*coaching for online video communication is included

Voice and Speech with Gin Hammond
Starts this Saturday, April 18 - 11:00am-1:30pm
**Take both Public Speaking AND Voice
& Speech and receive a 20% discount

Voiceover, Section 1 with Kira Dorrian
Starts this Saturday, April 18 - 9:00am-12:00pm

Spoken Word and Performance Poetry with Daemond Arrindell
Starts Tuesday, April 28 - 6:00-9:00pm
WORK YOUR BODY!

**NEW CLASS!***
Performing Whole: How to Say "Yes"
to Yourself with Alyssa Franks
A class in Alexander Technique
Starts Tuesday, May 5 - 6:30-8:30pm

WORK YOUR CREATIVITY!

Let's Watch JJ's Favorite Films with John Jacobsen
Starts this Thursday, April 16 - 4:30-7:30pm
STUDIO CLASSES
CORE ACTING PROGRESSION

Step I: Intro to Acting, Section 2 with Carter Rodriguez
Starts Saturday, April 25 - 12:00-4:00pm

Step II: Acting with Text Section 1 with Meg McLynn
Starts Sunday, April 26 - 12:00-4:00pm

Step I: Intro to Acting, Section 3 with Carter Rodriguez
Starts Monday, April 27 - 6:00-10:00pm

Step II: Acting with Text Section 2 with Meg McLynn
Starts Tuesday, April 28 - 6:00-10:00pm

Step III: Basic Scene Study with Elena Flory-Barnes
Starts Thursday, April 30 - 6:00-10:00pm

Rehearsal & Performance with David Hsieh
Starts Sunday, May 3 - 6:00-10:00pm

ADVANCED SERIES

Meisner Step III: Back to Text with Robin Lynn Smith
Starts Sunday, April 26 - 5:30-10:30pm

SUPPORTING & ELECTIVE CLASSES

Neo Burlesque with Cherry Manhattan
Starts Wednesday, May 6 - 7:00-10:00pm

Stage Combat: Quarterstaff with Geoffrey Alm
Starts Saturday, April 25 - 9:00am-12:00pm

EMBODY: Movement for the Actor with Mik Kuhlman
Starts Monday, May 4 - 6:00-10:00pm

Basic Improvisation with Matt Smith
Starts Monday, May 4 - 6:30-9:00pm
SPONSOR-A-CLASSMATE
For those in our wonderful Freehold network in more stable financial situations who can consider paying it forward: there are a number of your fellow Freehold students struggling right now who would love a chance to take a class with us this spring. Our Sponsor-A-Classmate program allows you to donate partial or full class payment for either a classmate of your choosing, or someone else who has signed up for the program needing assistance!

It's easy to sign up at this short form here , and the video above will show you how!
Amontaine Aurore
Freehold Theatre Lab / Studio | 206.323.7499 | E-mail | Website