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PD Course

Exploring Viewpoints

Created by Erin Carr

11 modules 3 hours, 28 minutes 5 Credit Hours

Viewpoints is used to create dynamic moments of theatre by simply existing on the stage. However, Viewpoints is more than just an acting technique to understand your own physicality and more than a directing technique to create “ah-ha!” moments on stage. It is first and foremost the philosophy that to create an organic performance, you must see obstacle as opportunity, and that by simply standing in space, your creativity can spark.

This course by Erin Carr will help your students discover fresh impulses that motivate their performance in the moment. We will go through the Viewpoints technique, as created by Mary Overlie, and learn how to tap into kinesthetic awareness as individuals and as an ensemble. Through this style of play, students learn to release their thoughts on what they “should” do, and instead just respond organically to their surroundings and ensemble!

We’re going to break down each of the Viewpoints, there’s lots of visual demonstration, so you can see each Viewpoint in action, and I’m going to provide tips and side coaching examples.

  1. 0
    Lesson 0
    Overview
    3:21 FREE PREVIEW
    This lesson gives an overview of the course and what is covered in each module.
  2. 1
    Lesson 1
    Introduction
    8:06 FREE PREVIEW
    This lesson introduces the technique of Viewpoints and ways to apply it in the classroom.
  3. 2
    Lesson 2
    History & Terminology
    9:13
    This lesson reviews the history of Viewpoints and some of the terminology used with this technique.
  4. 3
    Lesson 3
    Warm-ups
    20:52
    Lesson 3 takes you through some of the warm-ups inspired by Viewpoints for both individuals and ensembles.
  5. 4
    Lesson 4
    Time
    17:05
    This lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Time, and students learn how to introduce tempo, kinesthetic response, duration and repetition.
  6. 5
    Lesson 5
    Shape
    38:38
    This lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Shape, and students learn how to introduce general shape as well as gestures.
  7. 6
    Lesson 6
    Space
    38:20
    This lesson breaks down the Viewpoint of Space, and students learn how to introduce spatial relationship, topography, and architecture.
  8. 7
    Lesson 7
    Open Viewpoints Session
    16:45
    This lesson introduces what an Open Viewpoints session might look like, and the benefits of taking this time to combine the Viewpoints.
  9. 8
    Lesson 8
    Scene Work
    24:59
    This lesson introduces the use of Viewpoints in scene work.
  10. 9
    Lesson 9
    Review
    4:59
    This final lesson reviews how the Viewpoints technique is used, and where you can continue to take this work.
  11. 11
    BONUS Lesson
    Distance Learning Option
    26:22
    Erin Carr and Lindsay Price discuss how to use the Viewpoints course for distance learning.

Standards Addressed

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade HS Accomplished

Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation - Grade 6

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 7

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8

Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work - Grade 8

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade HS Proficient

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