The Cauldron’s Theatre Lab
Oct 26-27 2024 | AMsterdam
A weekend of workshops:
from acting to sound design
On 26 & 27 October, we are hosting our annual Open Day - but this year, with a twist! We’ve put together a full weekend of workshops on a range of theater-related skills, and at the end of the weekend, participants have the chance to show off their new skills in a showcase!
This is a great chance to try something new or improve an existing skill - from acting, singing and tap dancing, to lighting design and sound engineering.
These sessions will be hosted by award-winning teachers and experts from the US and UK. Check out the schedule of workshops below!
schedule
Saturday 26 October
10:00-13:00 - Developing a scene using Laban and beyond with Madison
10:00-12:30 - Tap Lab with Brigid
13:30-16:00 - Duet/Trio singing with Kat
Sunday 27 October
9:30-12:30 - Everything you need to be a useful Lighting Technician with Nick
13:15-16:15 - Behind the stage: sound engineering for theatre and dance with Jacob
16:30-18:00 - Socialising with all workshop participants
18:00-19:30 - Cue to cue
19:30-20:00 - Audience arrives
20:00-22:00 - Showcase!
The Workshops
Developing a scene using Laban and beyond with Madison
[SOLD OUT]
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This workshop is intended to add to an actor's already existing toolbox. We will be developing scenes using techniques from Laban movement to inspire interesting movement that is precise, exciting, and surprising. This workshop will ask participants to listen to their impulses, explore playing with their scene partner, and explore the movement vocabulary given to us from Rudolf Laban (plus some of Madison's little twists of course).
Madison is a theatre maker who loves teaching acting. They have been teaching acting for many years, including for Concordia University in Montreal. They teach acting workshops, courses, and do one-on-one acting coaching for companies, organizations and individuals in Amsterdam and Utrecht She holds a BFA in Performance Creation and a Masters in Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy.
What to bring
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in.
- Bring pen or pencil, notebook, and a water bottle. -
Oct 26th | 10:00-13:00
Theater de Cameleon bovenzaal
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Get Tickets for Madison's workshop here
Workshop price: 25 €
Tap Lab with Brigid
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This is a 2.5 hour tap workshop best suited for those who have some experience with tap dance and are familiar with basic fundamentals. We will revisit introductory steps and tap vocabulary, explore a few different styles of tap, and of course work together on a choreography for you to perform to each other, your friends and family at the showcase!
Brigid is an avid and experienced dancer and musical theatre performer and making noise with her feet is one of her favourite pastimes. Having danced in and choreographed several tap numbers over her past 10 years in musical theatre performance, Brigid is excited to dive again into the wonderful world of tap dance with a new group of enthusiasts.
What to bring
- Comfortable clothing you can move in. No baggy pants that fall over the ankle
- Water
- Tap shoes
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Oct 26th | 10:00-12:30
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Duet/Trio singing with Kat
[ALMOST SOLD OUT]
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Kat Carson, Cauldron resident vocal coach will work with duo and trios on vocal technique, blending, and working as a team. We will also be working with a professional pianist to accompany our voices, so you will also learn about how to work with a musician, including etiquette, musical ideas and how to work as a team with instrumentalists to craft a great performance.
Kat Carson has been teaching singing privately for over 10 years, is the founder and vocal coach for the The Cauldron and directs the Eurokoor Leiden. She has previously worked as a teacher at DAT! Music school and as vocal coach for the Wazzup Singers. Kat is also a solo performer, songwriter, and member of the early music ensemble Nymphes & Monstres. Find out more on her website: katcarson.com
What to bring
- A singing partner or two. Note that each partner has to have a valid workshop ticket! Don't have a partner? No worries! Message us at kat@caudronperformingarts.com and we'll help you find someone!
- A song to sing
- Two copies of sheet music of your piece (one for the pianist, one for Kat). -
Oct 26th | 13:30-16:00
Theater de Cameleon bovenzaal
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Everything you need to be a useful Lighting Technician with Nick
[ALMOST SOLD OUT]
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In this broad, introductory lighting workshop we will start from the beginning and attempt to cover all the basics. You will get hands-on experience with lighting equipment, learn to read lighting paperwork, define common terminology, and play with light. In the end, you should be able to confidently show up to a lighting hang/focus and contribute.
Nick is a professional nerd living in Amsterdam, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, in the US. He started his career doing lighting and projections in the theatre, solving his own problems backstage lead him into software development, but after years away he is excited to be back at the theatre.
What to bring
- Wear closed toe shoes and clothing (you wouldn't mind climbing a ladder in)
- An adjustable crescent wrench would be handy if you have one to bring -
Oct 27th | 9:30-12:30
Theater de Cameleon Theaterzaal
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Behind the stage: sound engineering for theatre and dance with Jacob
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In this workshop we will be looking at the technical aspects of sound engineering in a theatre, alongside the more creative techniques that can be used to enhance a performance.
Half of the session will be looking at the equipment used for theatre, dance and singing performances. In the other half of the session we will be looking at mixing techniques used to enhance performances, and how to add your own creativity to the role of sound engineer.
By the end of this session you will have confidence in setting up wireless microphones and the mixing desk ready for the performances, and have the tools to successfully engineer performances in a theatre setting.
Jacob is a sound engineer, trombone player and teacher based in Bristol, UK. With over 15 year’s experience performing and on the technical side of live performance and theatre, Jacob brings his understanding of being both onstage and backstage to his teaching.
What to bring
- All-black outfit for the showcase.
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Oct 27th | 13:15-16:15
Theater de Cameleon Theaterzaal
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How to Get Tickets
Tickets for each workshop can be purchased via the individual links above.
All workshops are €25 only!
Want to do more than one? Buy two and get €5 off via the link below!
The SHow(off)case!
At the end of the Theatre Lab, we’ll bring it all together during our showcase on Sunday 27th October. Get ready to witness the magic as tech and performance students come together in perfect harmony! In this showcase, elements that usually exist in isolation within the performance space are brought together. Isn’t it the dream of every show?
For our workshop participants, this is your moment to shine! So invite your friends and family - the more the merrier!
Admission to the showcase is FREE, but if you'd like to support our future projects, donations are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated. Every contribution brings our upcoming cool projects closer!
SHOWCASE Event Details
Where: Theater de Cameleon Theaterzaal
When: Oct 27th at 20:00 (doors open at 19:30)
Important Information for Workshop Participants
Pre-Show Gathering: Join us on Sunday afternoon from 16:30 for a casual meet-and-greet. Bring your own food, and let's get to know each other better!
Show Preparation: Every show needs a cue to cue. Ours starts at 18:00, so please make sure to be at the Theater by then to ensure everything runs smoothly!
We can't wait to see you there!
