This class offers an introduction to acting and is open to both new and experienced actors. OLLI has many members who enjoy reading and studying dramatic literature, including the SIG (Special Interest Group) for Play Reading. The purpose of this course is to offer training and practical experience in “cold readings” (where the actor has had no preparation) and staged readings (where the text has been rehearsed but no movement, props, costumes, or sets are involved.) The aim is to enrich the students’ understanding of the play through character analysis and scene work. No memorization will be required. The students will be paired with scene partners and instructed in vocal and interpretive techniques to make the story come alive.

After in-class rehearsals, the final class will be a staged reading of the selected scenes which may be open to other OLLI members, if the students want a public showing. Experienced actors (who are already skilled in these techniques) are welcome to participate just for the joy of the work.

Jeannie Woods is a Berkshire stage director and actor. She has enjoyed a 60-year career as a scholar, actor, director, arts educator and administrator. A graduate of the Ph.D. in Theatre Program of the City University of New York, she was a professor of theatre and stage director at Winthrop University for 17 years, where she was also Artistic Director of The New Stage Ensemble Theatre. She is a Professor Emerita of Theatre at Western Illinois University, where she taught theatre for 12 years. She founded the Starry Night Repertory Company in Illinois and was its Artistic Director (2009-2019).  

An international scholar and director, Dr. Woods was a Fulbright Scholar in the graduate program of the National Institute of the Arts in Taiwan and in 2023 had a 2-week arts residency at the National Taiwan Normal University. She also has taught theatre courses on the SS Universe Explorer with the Semester at Sea program and circumnavigated the globe. 

Dr. Woods is the author of Theatre to Change Men's Souls—The Artistry of Adrian Hall and Maureen Stapleton: A Bio-Bibliography. She has been a reviewer for BerkshireOnStage.blogsince 2021.  

Dan Woods is an actor and fine artist. Dan has been a professional actor for much of his life and has performed on stages from Hawaii to Denver to New York City, Taipei, and China. As an actor, Dan is best known for his critically acclaimed performance in Vincent, in which he played the dual roles of Theo and Vincent Van Gogh. Dan’s professional work includes co-starring with Michael Cerveris in the New York premier of Moon by Eric Baldwin. He was a company member of the renowned Germinal Stage Denver and the Third Eye Theatre in Denver. For Actors Theatre of Charlotte, he starred in The Waiting Room and in The Bible, The Complete Word of God (Abridged). He was a member of the acting companies of the New Stage Ensemble and the Starry Night Repertory Theatre. Most recently Dan was seen on the Unicorn stage in several roles in A Christmas Carol, including the Ghost of Christmas Present. Dan is also a fine artist, working in dry media (charcoal and pastel pencils) and a member of the Guild of Berkshire Artists.

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