Release spontaneity Connect with the power of your breath Move out of your head & into the present moment Discover the joy of your work Get yourself a new you and a better life in the deal.
"Actors are always looking at other actors and saying why can't I do that, they're so brilliant, and why can't I be like him or her. And actually, all you really have is yourself. And it's finding the truth of yourself that you have to present on stage and in the film." - Helen Mirren
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5 15 25 50 Directed by Gary Austin
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 00:00
Get your popcorn ready!
"Gary Austin will forever be considered one of the greats, always interested in producing work that is funny and moving, because it's true and utterly unique. His work is always a treat to watch." - Helen Hunt
Gary Austin visits Seattle February 17-19. Some participant space open for Fri & Sat workshops. Audits welcome in all. Contact us for more information at
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.
Even for the finest actors, there are moments where split second choices make all the difference in performance. Learning to be comfortable in those choices is the point of improvisation. These workshops free the actor to make the right choices by committing to the unknown, getting out of her head, and being in the present moment. This freedom allows the actor to create vibrant, real performance in both improvised and written scenes.
THE 15-SECOND SCENE AND BEYOND SATURDAY February 18th 1:00 - 6:00 PM $100 Limited enrollment Audit: $50
This class is an approach to living in the present in what might be referred to as “the eternal moment” a la Viola Spolin. Scenes are made up of a series of moments-- great moments add up to great scenes. This is a workshop to examine those moments. So we begin by improvising scenes that are exactly fifteen seconds in length. In these short scenes, actors are not obligated to establish “who what and where,” character, relationship, emotion, or story. Perhaps no one could do all of that elegantly in fifteen seconds. Instead, we find out what information is established in each scene, and what intrigues us about it. We review each scene in class, and like a film editor looking at segments frame by frame, we become increasingly aware of the abundance of information that can be communicated in a short time frame. Then we perform longer scenes as if they are made up of fifteen second scenes, focusing on each segment without concern for previous or future segments. We discover what we have created in retrospect. As Elaine May says to Mike Nichols in their classic teen "make out" scene, “Did you ever think that that lake out there is just a whole lot of little water?”
"SOLO EXPLORATION WORKSHOP - THE 48th St. Exercise" SUNDAY February 19th
The solo show has become a staple of American Theater. This workshop has helped actors create solo shows that have gone on to staged performance, and it is also a great way to stretch your character-building and acting skills.
In this workshop actors will perform the "48th Street Exercise." We'll explore extreme physical and vocal changes, creative freedom, emotional depth, sub-text and character to create compelling solo performances. Actors will improvise an idea or theme. Memorized text may also be used. For descriptions of "48th St. Exercise," go to Gary's Blog, DOG BOOT
Below is a snippet of my solo in the scary-fun 48th St. Exercise. See you there! Kay
Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 February 2012 21:08 )
Artist's Attack = Mad Homes
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Monday, 01 August 2011 00:00
A video of our experience at Mad Homes....mad art in Seattle through Aug 7th, 2011.
Last Updated ( Monday, 19 September 2011 14:40 )
ZZZssstt...Specifically Committed
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Monday, 25 July 2011 00:00
Floors, walls, ceilings with smashed clothing covering it all, inside, with a smell like Value Village. Two houses wrapped in red nylon strapping, one in plastic wrap looks ready to be shipped. A mini latex rubber house in a front yard, lit sculptures, and wonderful wolf, sun, and bird that make surprise appearances then disappear.
My favorite...3D art on the stairs...
I wander through the Mad Homes Art and breathe, see, gasp, smell, touch, crouch, lay, and laugh.
Reason to watch? To get a grasp on the who's, why's and what for's of the 2008 meltdown. We are still experiencing the aftershocks of a plan that was purposely crafted.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 June 2011 11:59 )
Doors Open at Little Water Cantina
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 00:00
Friends and Family Opening April 29th....Grand Opening Cinco de Mayo
Owners Laura & chef Shannon Wilkinson team with sous chef Cameo McRoberts at Little Water Cantina
Escabeche / Cantina Beans / Empanadas Shrimp Mojo De Ajo / Ceviche / Red Rice / Callejero Salad Hanger Steak / Turkey Leg Enchiladas / Tacos- Salmon/Veggie/Oxtail Chips/Avocado Dip / Full Bar ......desserts and more
Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 June 2011 23:09 )
Little Water Cantina
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Sunday, 06 March 2011 00:00
To watch a dream come to life fills the soul.
Little Water Cantina, attempting LEED platinum for commercial interiors, has passed the plumbing, electrical, mechanical and general inspections...windows are going in, kitchen is almost installed, hiring help is on the table.
The smell of reclaimed wood fills the space....with a bar cut from a huge salvaged Madrona tree.
2865 Eastlake Ave E. is almost ready to open. I anticipate the first tantalizing tastes Chef Shannon brings to Eastlake's newest restaurant.
What a great way to wake up your work with good food, a cozy atmosphere, and delicious view.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 06 March 2011 06:54 )
What Starts at the Same Time It Stops?
Written by Kay LaVergne Jaz
Friday, 10 September 2010 00:00
Me! On Sabbatical.
There will not be any group Improvisation/Acting Workshops produced by Wake Up Your Work through mid-winter.
My days and nights are full of a new adventure...
I am using my Certified Sustainable Building Advisor education in research support for GreenBlueprint. My work at GreenBlueprint is in pursuit of the NW's first LEED Platinum restaurant attempt. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building standard and Platinum is the highest level of achievement of certification.
Trivia fact: Restaurants are 2nd only to hospitals as major energy burners.
I will also be shooting video along the way for a possible documentary .
The restaurant, Little Water Cantina, is located on the east side of Lake Union with awesome deck dining and lake view. They hope to be open early 2011.
Check back for workshop updates and splashes of surprise.
"The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react." - George Bernard Shaw
A regular uptown NY joe, Paul Hackett (brilliantly acted by Griffin Dunne), meets an interesting woman Marcy (Rosanna Arquette) in a coffee shop. He ends up pursuing her which takes him to where she is staying with a friend (Linda Fiorentino).
What starts out as an innocent late night date turns into a nightmare beginning when his $20 flies out the taxi window as the driver careens his way into SoHo, leaving him with his pocket change. When his new friend has issues he escapes to the subway only to find the fare went up at midnight. Too late, he's turned into a pumkin. A savior bartender, more wacky women, punks, a S&M sculptress, and a Blanche Dubois incarnate all define this noir night for poor Paul.
Roger Ebert says it well. "The result is a film that is so original, so particular, that we are uncertain from moment to moment exactly how to respond to it. The style of the film creates, in us, the same feeling that the events in the film create in the hero."
Floors, walls, ceilings with smashed clothing covering it all, inside, with a smell like Value Village. Two houses wrapped in red nylon strapping, one in plastic wrap looks ready to be shipped. A mini latex rubber house in a front yard, lit sculptures, and wonderful wolf, sun, and bird that make surprise appearances then disappear.
I am using my 
