Students in Associate Professor Kevin Long鈥檚 Folio Technique class faced a rather
intimidating 鈥� and exhilarating 鈥� final exam.
Instead of putting pen to paper or testing in a lab, they headed to a storied venue to perform monologues from a variety of plays including Henry VI, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, All鈥檚 Well That Ends Well, Winter鈥檚 Tale, Julius Caesar and King Lear.
The location? The sixth floor skyline room of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. Their audience? None other than long-time Casting Director Bob Mason, who was charged with providing the performers with critiques and coaching.
鈥淚t was a spectacular day,鈥� Long said. 鈥淭he students left feeling incredibly grateful for this truly special opportunity.鈥�
Long has taught folio technique for more than 20 years and works with Chicago Shakespeare鈥檚 education department on its Saturday Teacher Workshops and other programs (see ). Folio technique explores the language and theater of the world鈥檚 most famous playwright, with actors learning how to interpret text and build a foundation for inspiring performances. Long describes it as a process that results in a tactile, visceral and accessible production.
Mason called the students brave and well-prepared, and said their use of folio technique and language was very clear. He asked their opinion about words and phrases being used and stressed the importance of keeping the character alive throughout the piece.
Maanvi Amin, a 19-year-old student from Chicago, said the experience, which also included a tour, is one she鈥檒l never forget.
鈥淎t first, I was a nervous wreck and had no idea if I was going to even be able to speak when I got up there,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淏ut I knew that Kevin had helped me prepare well. When I actually did get up to do my piece, Bob Mason was super attentive and helpful. He was very engaged and made really specific and helpful critiques. It really helped me get a solid grasp on my monologue and look at it in a new way. The chance to work with Bob Mason was incredible and I feel so grateful.鈥�
To Long, Mason鈥檚 feedback reaffirmed for the students that the training at 91制片厂 matches what鈥檚 being sought at the professional level.
鈥淭he students knew exactly what Bob was talking about,鈥� Long said. 鈥淭hey responded in a truly professional way. So the fact that they are able to identify what he was asking for and respond to him meant that they are truly 鈥榞etting what I鈥檓 trying to teach.鈥欌��
The students, pictured from left to right, are: Vickey Ippolito, Jasmine Luther, Alex Rogers, Robert Ortiz, Bob Mason, Tyler Newman, Maanvi Amin, Joe Haynes, Jenny Michalski, Rebekah Haynes and Christian Bekas.
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