Theatre students attend workday

Freshmen+Kayleigh+Rhodes+and+Macky+Morales%2C+junior+Jacob+Fishbeck+and+Leon+student+Colby+Garcia+act+in+their+improv+skit+at+the+end+of+the+day.

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Freshmen Kayleigh Rhodes and Macky Morales, junior Jacob Fishbeck and Leon student Colby Garcia act in their improv skit at the end of the day.

Theatre students from Buffalo and Leon came together for a Saturday workshop earlier this month to learn more about using motion in their acting skills. They spent the day learning that acting involves more than just their voice.

“I think they were good for the first try at the exercises,” theatre director Jill Henson said. “When we do the chair duets again, we will work on cleaner movements.”

Sophomore Kaiden Loep and freshman Ally Smith act in their skit.
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Sophomore Kaiden Loep and freshman Ally Smith act in their skit.

The actors learned about motion in acting and projecting their voices on stage. They worked on using body movements to portray their character.

“I learned to use my actions more, and it doesn’t matter what my line is, I can just use actions to create the scene,” freshman Melanie Slay said. “I think it went really well and a lot of us learned new things. In all, I think it was very productive.”

The differences in the schools were put aside and everyone helped each other. There was improv at the end of the session, and Leon even taught Buffalo students a new game.

“My favorite part was probably the improv at the end,” freshman Dylan Cornish said. “I learned new ways to stretch the body to open my airways and speak clearer.”

Freshman Macky Morales introduces herself at the beginning of her group's skit.
menefee photo
Freshman Macky Morales introduces herself at the beginning of her group’s skit.

For all of the students and their directors, the goal of the day was to improve. The directors said upcoming shows would contain more movement-centered acting and it was important to learn the new skills.

“I would have liked to learn more about how to speak louder,” freshman Josalyn Taylor said. “It was really fun and I met a lot of nice people. Even though I didn’t really want to wake up early on the weekend, I am glad that I did.”