Looking to audition for a play? Maybe your sights are set on drama school? Or do you just want to get a head start on your VCE Drama program? This is the class for you! Award-winning writer/director/actor, Sally McLean (Utopia, Preacher, The Worst Year of my Life - Again!, Shakespeare Republic), with acclaimed writer/director/actor, Phoebe Anne Taylor (Torch Song, Shakespeare Republic, Dark Arcadia) are banding together to teach this one day workshop in monologue preparation and acting and bookings are now open!

Join Sally and Phoebe in a fun, challenging and enlightening space as they guide you through the process of tackling the art of monologue performance. Over the space of one day, you will learn how to find the character, how to set yourself in place, how to make the words your own and more! Perfect for those who are wanting to master the art of performing monologues - be it for auditions, class or in performance.

Whether you’ve performed a monologue before or never acted in your life until now, because the class is tailored for each individual actor in the space, this workshop is for you!

CLASS INFORMATION:

Students will be assigned a monologue each and then work on that piece intensively over the space of one day under the guidance of expert teachers Sally McLean (Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia, Equity Foundation) and Phoebe Anne Taylor (Melbourne University, Holmesglen TAFE).

Beginner students welcome, as the work will be tailored to each individual student and where they are at with performance technique.

Participant bookings close March 10 to give time to assign monologues.

OUTCOME: The chance to achieve a deeper understanding of performing monologues for the stage, learning through experience.

Participants will get:

A solid, working understanding of monologue acting technique;
Advice and guidance from Performing Arts practitioners & teachers with a vast knowledge of the industry;
A sense of joy and play around the acting process that is based in real technique and knowledge; and
The chance to activate and explore their creativity and self-expression.

Participants should bring:

A notebook and pen/pencil to take any notes; and
A packed lunch and bottle of water/refreshments

Additional notes about the class:

Participants are requested to wear loose clothing that allows them to move.
All our teachers have current Working With Children permits

ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS:

SALLY McLEAN

An award-winning multi-hyphenate creative, Sally McLean began her work in the entertainment biz in her mid-teens and has since performed lead, guest and supporting roles in numerous Australian, US and UK film, theatre and television productions.

A graduate of The Actors Institute UK, Sally’s notable screen acting credits include the lead role of “Angie Powers” in the BAFTA Award-winning BBC miniseries Bootleg opposite Tim Robinson, lead guest role of “Stacy” in the AACTA Award-winning ABC TV series Utopia opposite Celia Pacquola and recurring guest roles of “Miss Giddens” in the AACTA Award nominated ABC/CBBC TV series The Worst Year of My Life – Again! opposite Tiarnie Coupland and “Barb” in the cult hit USA Sony/AMC TV series, Preacher opposite Pip Torrens & Christopher Kirby.Predominantly working on screen, Sally is also an experienced dramatic Shakespearean actor with Musical Theatre roots and has played over thirty lead and supporting roles in theatre in both Australia and the UK. Highlights include roles in the West End premiere of the dramaAnnabel’s Requiem, what is believed to be the first all-female production of Macbeth in the UK and the professional Australian premier of the hit off-Broadway musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

Predominantly working on screen, Sally is also an experienced dramatic Shakespearean actor with Musical Theatre roots and has played over thirty lead and supporting roles in theatre in both Australia and the UK. Highlights include roles in the West End premiere of the drama Annabel’s Requiem, what is believed to be the first all-female production of Macbeth in the UK and the professional Australian premier of the hit off-Broadway musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

She is currently the Creator/Director and lead ensemble member of the multi award-winning digital series Shakespeare Republic for which she was named the winner of the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award for Best Digital Series in the USA in 2017, which saw Sally join the ranks of fellow CINE alumni such as Steven Spielberg (the then CINE President) Oprah Winfrey, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Jim Henson, Mike Nichols, Robert Altman, Spike Lee, Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Sydney Pollack, among others. Fellow award winners that year were Christian Slater’s Mr Robot, Variety’s Actors on Actors and National Geographic’s M.A.R.S. series.

To read more about Sally's work, CLICK HERE.

PHOEBE ANNE TAYLOR

Phoebe Anne Taylor is an independent theatre maker, actor, writer and photographer. She was a member of the inaugural Howard Fine Acting Studio Full Time Ensemble, the 2009 Monash Academy of Performing Arts Graduate Ensemble and holds two Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degrees. She is a proud member of the award winning Shakespeare Republic ensemble, Incognita Enterprises producing team, and in 2019 joined the distinguished company of the Arteles Creative Centre’s alumni having completed the Silence, Awareness, Existence programme in Finland.

Prior to this, she was the Founding co-Artistic Director of North of Eight Theatre Company, and Founder and Director of her own theatre making business: Another Effing Theatre Company (formerly Apples and Shoes).

Recent acting theatre credits include roles in The Hidden Orchard, Women’s Shout, Low Level Panic, Spring Awakening, Never Ending Night, Love Bird and Cocoon. Her recent film credits include roles in The Good Room, Dream of the Songstress, Raylene and Charlie and Slowcooker.

As a director, Phoebe is most passionate about working with writers to develop contemporary Australian texts, working on the premiere productions of The Will to Be, Love Bird and Buried at Sea. In this vein, she has also worked dramaturgically to help focus new writing, most recently on Turn, Turn, Turn. She has also worked with Holmesglen TAFE to help students understand how to stage new works, from script to stage. Phoebe has also recently directed Holding the Man, and in a prior life worked with students at the University of Melbourne to help stage works as director, outside eye and mentor.

In 2020, Phoebe’s fourth full length play the sorry game was selected as runner up in the Alpine Theatre Writing Prize. Her second full length work the art of f***ing was programmed at La Mama theatre having been developed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, returning there after a season of her experimental work no blinding light. Short works have been selected multiple years in The Madwomen Monologues, and experimental works based on textual collage have been included in the Shakespeare Festival at Melbourne University, winning commendations for concept, writing and performance.

Phoebe has worked behind the scenes most notably with Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival, Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre Company, Underground Cinema and City of Melbourne’s Christmas Festival. She is currently the Front of House and Risk Administration Manager for the Rising Festival, Melbourne. Phoebe is also proud to be one of the mentors working with disabled artists represented by Loom Arts and Management.

CLASS DETAILS:

TEACHERS: Phoebe Anne Taylor & Sally McLean

AGE GROUP FOR PARTICIPANTS:
14-17 years old

DATE/S:
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

HOURS:
10am-3pm
(1 days, 5 hours total)

COST:
$210+BF in total

Full Information about the Incognita@Montsalvat program: https://events.incognitaenterprises.com

*The rear of the Barn Gallery at Montsalvat. Photo by Sally McLean*

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

WELCOME TO INCOGNITA@MONTSALVAT

Incognita Enterprises is delighted to be partnering with the prestigious and historically significant Arts venue, Montsalvat, located in breath-taking surrounds in Eltham, Victoria, just 37 mins drive from the Melbourne CBD, where we will be offering a program of workshops, masterclasses and live theatrical events across the year.

Come join us for writing workshops, acting masterclasses, Shakespeare classes and other Performing Arts educational offerings for teenagers and adults. Attend entertainment industry Q&A sessions each month with experienced actors, directors and others to learn more about the film, television and theatre industries. Come along to our monthly play readings, where professional actors will read new plays from emerging and experienced playwrights.

Later in the year, we are excited to be offering two theatrical events that you won’t want to miss. A very special theatrical production, written for Montsalvat’s 90th Anniversary celebrations and a large scale immersive promenade Shakespeare theatre installation – both featuring professional actors and showcasing the Montsalvat Resident Artists’ talents and works. More information to come on both these events, so make sure you subscribe to our mailing list, so you don’t miss out!

We look forward to seeing you at beautiful Montsalvat in person!

MAIN HEADER PHOTO: Holly Robertson performs “Juliet” in class taught by Sally McLean. Photo by Sarah Clarke.