Improv and acting are two different things and yet they can be partnered in one successful entertainer.
Kat Coulter and Dave Leach will be teaching improv and acting, in new classes at Excalibur Theatre Arts Company.
Coulter will teach the improv and Leach will teach acting.
"We can better serve our students by offering the new classes," said Dave Leach of Excalibur. "We offer voice and dance and now improv and acting will be offered to those wishing to round out their skills."
The improv classes are all for beginners in four classes created for children, teens and adults.
Coulter, who graduated with a diploma in Theatre Arts from Mount Royal College in Calgary, said she's excited to be using her education to teach. She spent five years with Jubilations Dinner Theatre in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, where the key was interaction between characters of the play and the audience, giving her ample experience in the fine art of improvisation.
"Every show was different," said Coulter, who is an original P.G. girl. "It keeps things fresh. It was the funnest job I ever had."
Coulter said she will provide her students with guidelines to good improv.
"No is the least funny word in the English language," she added. "And this can be applied to life as well. Don't say no to life's challenges. It's much more interesting to say yes I can."
Coulter also said she will teach students how not to try to be funny.
"I'm going to show them how to act boring," said Coulter. "It's about learning how to listen and making positive choices."
Coulter wants the students to learn to build their skills towards theatre sports where game-show rules like in ABC network's Whose Line Is It Anyways apply.
Leach will be providing the acting instruction.
"Good acting can have the appearance of improv," said Leach. Many things occur in the world of entertainment and when things go wrong in a show, actors have to be able to continue no matter what happens.
The classes for beginners debunks misconceptions of acting. Leach then offers information about the foundation of performing as he has students build on the development of skills including character study, and tips on the cold read and auditioning.
"These classes will provide basic tools and build confidence on stage," said Leach.
Acting is a life-long pursuit, Coulter and Leach said.
"I've been doing this for the last 13 years -- two shows a year, and I'm still learning," Leach said.
Classes will have a showcase for family and friends to see what students have learned.
To register or for more information call 250-564-6326 or e-mail excaliburarts@shaw.ca.
