Photo: Lisa coaches a student through vocal recordings with COVID-19 safety procedures in place. Photo: Gus Sanchez
Curricula
A selection of current syllabi can be found on this page. For more information, please Contact Me and inquire!
musical theatre
This course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of Musical Theatre and elements relating specifically to its performance and application. Students will gain a basic or increased understanding of what it takes to create and perform in a musical, as well as exposure to multiple benchmark musicals and lesser-known works. Students will prepare and perform pieces from musicals in three ways: in class for their peers, as a mock audition, and as a final showcase open to the public.
“Lisa always gave constructive criticism but also made us feel valued and encouraged us to keep going and practicing. ”
Photo: Lisa teaches a private coaching via Zoom. Photo: Gus Sanchez.
Playwriting
This course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of playwriting through study of theatrical texts, performances, and the practical experience of writing and sharing their own plays. Students will gain a focused understanding of common theatrical elements inherent in the written script, such as technical formatting, characters, plot, and more. Students will also gain firsthand experience of the playwriting process through observing NMSU Theatre’s High Desert Play Festival. Lastly, students will write a minimum of four original works, and participate in readings and mini-workshops of their plays, both informally (with one another in class) and formally (with an audience) as part of their final project.
“Lisa has a gift for teaching students and her boundless enthusiasm and knowledgeability made her always a delight to learn from. ”
Theatre History II
This course provides a wide-ranging investigation on the continued foundation of theatre, specifically focusing on the 18th and 19th century. Topics are arranged with particular emphasis not only on the hallmark contributions of French Neoclassicism, German Romanticism, and broad European Realism, but also expanding the discussion to include non-traditional but still vital theatrical regions such as 18th-century Spain and Japan.
“Creating that safe space really helped us all feel comfortable with making mistakes and allowing ourselves to take constructive criticism so we could improve. ”
“This class was a highlight of my junior year. Exactly what a class should be!”
Acting for Non-Majors
This course is designed as an introduction to acting for non-majors. The beginning student will be introduced to the performance craft through basic acting exercises, physicality and vocality exploration, and scripted work. Students will learn how to explore given circumstances, Uta Hagen’s Nine Questions, and the pursuit of actions in the development of their own unique acting point of view.
“But now I can say that, without a doubt, this course has done more for me than all four years of high school drama. The intimate classroom environment and supportive instructor helped me to gain what my acting really lacked.”
“Normally when a professor gives me a set of instructions and says ‘here, these will help,’ I’m skeptical they actually will. Yours really, honestly did. They’ve made me a better actor.”
Additional syllabi available upon request.