The focus of Theatre and Self-Discovery is in what lies below the surface, how self-esteem impacts people and people’s needs list. In theatre, actors ask of their character: what drives this person’s behavior?

This course bridges the mediums between non-violent communication work and theatre in a non-threatening way, a way to step away from your own self in creating a character that is not you. One of the goals of this collaboration between the River Phoenix Center for Peace-building and the Hippodrome Theatre is peace-building within oneself.

Through this 6 week intensive adult theatre class, participants will explore the nuance of relating human behavior to the craft of a theatre artist. First, participants will go below the surface of these characters with writing. The initial classes will be facilitated by Heart Phoenix of the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, and Gabrielle Byam, of the Hippodrome Theatre and the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding.

Then participants will bring the writing to the stage with real theatre artists, Matt Lindsay and Cameron Pfahler of the Hippodrome Theatre, and the course will utilize these introspective discoveries with a focus on character development and scene construction. Each individual will create and write a monologue that reflects the experiences accumulated throughout the course; the class will culminate with a showcase of student monologues.

A bit about the course leaders: Heart has been facilitating workshops for non-violent communication for 15 years. Gabrielle has worked at the Hippodrome Theatre for 20 years and has been facilitating workshops for non-violent communication for 8 years. Matt Lindsay is a theatre director, and a teacher at the Hipp for 10 years. Cameron has worked at the Hipp for several years, has a degree in psychology and has had work featured at a local playwrights festival.

Hippodrome Company member Matthew Lindsay has utilized his talents from onstage and off to develop a new offering for the Hippodrome Education department! This class is designed for anyone who wants to improve their business and/or interpersonal communication skills. Each session will focus on a different aspect of these and will work to develop them into strengths. Students will learn how improv can help them unlock creative potential, solve problems, listen and react, and make more effective decisions.

This class is accessible to all skill levels.