For Actors
Griffin is committed to being accessible to artists and transparent in our processes. The company takes its dialogue with artists very seriously. If you share our passion for making the best contemporary theatre we want to hear from you. In addition to the avenues below, one of the best means of getting to know us is to come and see a show. We look forward to seeing you in the foyer soon.
Professional Development
Griffin is committed to providing high level professional development opportunitites. As part of this committment, Griffin offers a regular series of 8-week master classes throughout the year (for graduates or those with three years equivalent practical experience) as well as further one-off series and weekend intensives led by experienced theatre practitioners. Check regularly for updates to the schedule.
From Stables to Screen: Exploring the intimate spaces of stage and camera.
“When you are totally inside the moment, there is no fear.” Rowena Balos
Griffin is delighted to welcome master voice teacher, Rowena Balos, to the Stables to teach this exciting new weekend intensive.
In this workshop, you will explore the subtle connection of body and voice work to the craft of acting. You will begin to discover what it means to be truly and organically connected to your character by finding commitment to each moment of the text: mentally, physically, emotionally, vocally and verbally. Through in-depth engagement with a contemporary Australian monologue, you will experience the joy of that connection and learn techniques, exercises and ways of thinking that will permeate and positively influence all of your work as an actor.
By focusing on work in an intimate space, Rowena will lead participants through an exploration of the commonality between theatre work in small spaces and film and television work – moving through the skills and techniques needed to excel in both. Throughout the course of the intensive, participants will transition from a large rehearsal room to the intimate diamond-shaped stage at the SBW Stables Theatre and then to work before a camera. The camera work will be recorded with participants able to take away a DVD of their performance on the day. We hope you can join us.
When: Saturday 16 October & Sunday 17 October, 10am – 5pm
Where: Saturday 16 October – Marque Lawyers, George Street, Sydney. Sunday 17 October – SBW Stables Theatre, 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross
Fee: $350
How to apply: This intensive is for professional actors. Please return this form to Griffin, along with your CV and headshot. We will send you a list of monologues for you to choose from. You will need to have done your basic homework, which includes reading the play and asking the creative questions that give you a strong emotional charge and clarity about what spurs you to speak. If you have any questions please contact belinda@griffintheatre.com.au or call the office on 9332 1052.
About Rowena: Rowena has taught in some of the most prestigious acting studios, universities and theatre companies around the world, including New York University, UCLA and The American Conservatory Theatre. She has trained at Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts, the State University of New York, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and has studied with legendary acting teachers Uta Hagen, Olympia Dukakis and Bill Hickey in addition to completing her teacher training in voice and speech with Kristen Linklater and Iris Warren.
A skilled master in her craft, Rowena’s past and present students include American actors Mariska Hargitay, Joanne Woodward, Peter Coyote, Dana Delany and Amy Brenneman, and Australian actors Judy Davis, John Gaden, Martin Sacks, Michael Caton and Joel Edgerton.
Physical Approaches to New Writing: Weekend Intensive with Lee Lewis
Have you ever read a Tom Holloway script? Or a play by Noelle Janaczewska, Tom Wright or Anthony Weigh? Have you ever had to audition for a role in a play where the characters are referred to by number rather than by name? How do you tackle a play that is experimenting with new writing ideas? When traditional approaches to text don’t offer you ways to engage with the writing… where do you start? What new acting tools can you develop to help you meet the challenges of new writing?
Spend a weekend on the floor with director Lee Lewis exploring physical approaches to new writing. This two day workshop will be an introduction to the basics of Anne Bogart’s viewpoints and a chance to experience how this very physical approach to impulse and meaning can be applied to text. The text explored in this workshop will be Tom Holloway’s Love Me Tender, a Griffin commission that was staged in a co-production between Griffin and Company B at Belvoir Street earlier this year.
Participants should be ready for highly physical improvisation. This is not a beginner’s acting workshop and is designed for professional actors.
When: September 18 & 19, 10am to 5pm
Where: Room 334, Webster Building, UNSW
Cost: $270 (limited to 16 participants)
To apply: Complete this form and return to the office along with your cv to the office, info@griffintheatre.com.au.
Open auditions
For the first time in 2010, Griffin will hold open auditions during our Housewarming Week (following refurbishment to our foyer) on Monday 16 August. Resources mean spots are limited. To be considered, actors must be graduates, have equivalent practical experience, or be represented by an agent. Applications are now closed, but we plan to hold another open audition later in the year – for updates sign up to our enewsletter or become our friend on Facebook. See you at the Stables.
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