Acting – Advanced Acting Seminar – Katie Troyan

Cost – $50 – Saturday June 9th @ 1p

This is a class for those who have had some experience in the haunt industry.  Topics to be covered are as follows…

1. GENERAL ACTING TIPS:  Reading your audience and developing “the eye of the hunter”, the “killer stare”, the “eye-lock”, making the most of working in hallways, finding the “hit points” in a room, working with your lighting and soundtrack, “distract and hit”. the “ripple effect”, “bait and switch”, the use of languages and quotes in dialog, vocalization and saving your voice,  using the Stanislavski concept of method acting, “crossing the line”, pacing yourself,  multi-sensory acting, making the most of  physical stature with facial expressions and movements, using victims and “plants”, “share-a-scare” and the importance of teamwork, and most importantly…the “startle” vs. the “scare!”.

2. OUTSIDE ACTING TIPS:  Playing to a larger audience, the “light-switch” concept, going solo outside, how to “stalk”,  how to develop “ping-pong in the parking lot”, themed acts and scripted acts, keeping audiences entertained while waiting in line, dressing and acting for your weather and other outside variables, health tips to keep from getting sick, a round-robin discussion on dealing with difficult customers, and most importantly…a final discourse on how to be a better actor by “saving it for the audience!”

This is an action-based class from a theatrical standpoint.  Participants will be encouraged, (not forced), to enjoy some fun role-playing and improvisational games in a supportive, respectful environment.  Participants will also be urged to share their ideas, experiences and questions throughout the class period.

A Haunted House actress since 1978,  Katherine Troyan, AKA “Drusilla” is a retired public school teacher of music, theater and special education.  She started her teaching career while still in high school working with students with special needs and began teaching theater in 1980.  She has taught at the Jerry Leonard Youth Theater in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and also at The Beck Center for the Performing Arts in Lakewood, Ohio.

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