WORKSHOP SUMMARY
This workshop is perfect for all levels of interaction with performance. Professional performance interpreters, educational interpreters, religious interpreters, conference interpreters, students, all can find valuable information in this workshop. This is a rare opportunity to laugh and learn and be challenged in ways you never have.
Each element of this workshop builds on the next. It tackles musical and musical theatre starting you at the basic process of getting a job, then covering the general preparation for your interpretation, moving to technical aspects of the field, philosophies of performance interpreting, skill development, performance practice, glossing, then finally personal analysis. This workshop emphasizes a lot of feedback. We do our best to have deaf consumers available on site to evaluate and challenge the attendees as we go. This workshop is a safe place to try new skills and techniques and a safe place to grow. No one is expected to be a pro when they walk in the door. We know interpreters want to grow but no one loves to "look bad" in front of our peers. Beginners to pros will all be challenged so everyone is "in the same boat". It's the perfect place to learn.
Hate musical intepreting? There are always a few of those who attend. Don't worry, these concepts work great in a science class, a doctor's office, in the court room, any place where interpreters go.
Ready to find out more? Look below and learn more about the specific topics we cover.
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PERFORMANCE PREPARATION
So you get the call to interpret for a concert. Now what? How do you prepare? What do you ask for? Who do you call? How much do you negotiate? You hear about a "set list". "What is a ‘Set List’?” How do you dress? What and when is sound check? There are a million details to work through in preparation and this class will help you understand the process of prepping for your concert from start to finish and doing it like a pro.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
You love attending concerts? Why? We could pay up to $200 (and potentially more) for a single concert. Why would anyone spend so much money to be entertained? The Performance Analysis class will dig through the reasons people attend concerts, how those expectations are fulfilled in everything from performance styles to dress to the tiniest details such as eye contact and miniscule body movements. Attendees will learn to apply their expectations of artists directly to their personal choices as Performance Interpreters, thereby giving the Deaf a more consistent and equivalent interpretation. Have no fear! Students will learn to compare their new found truths to the Code of Professional Conduct and will have a stunning example of why strong performances are supported by RID.
GLOSSING AND ASL IMAGERY
Have you ever sat down, looked at lyrics to a song and thought “what are they talking about?” Or... has a friend asked you to help gloss a song, to which you of course answer, "Sure! No Problem" and are then faced with phrases like "Hit me baby one more time." (hmm... is she talking about a left hook to the jaw?) English Imagery is incredibly difficult to translate. Then, if that isn’t hard enough the Performance Interpreter has to add ASL imagery and Idioms while sticking it in an attractive and clear gloss? That’s insane! Or is it? It can be done and we are going to show you how. This workshop encourages team work so the instructor and the students will work on glossing techniques to make eye catching and emotionally stirring interpretations.
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STAGE TERMINOLOGY AND TECH PREP
A Promoter, an Artist Manager, a Road Manager, a Spot Op… a Set List, a Wedge, a Leko, a Teaser… AV, LD, TD, and SM… It’s all “Greek” to most people, but it doesn’t need to be confusing to you! The Stage Terminology & Tech Prep class will teach students how to manage working with the crew and concert administrators leaving the attendees with a head full of tech savvy knowledge. The result? Instead of just being frustrated that you can't hear, you now have the ability to ask for In Ear Monitors since no Wedge was listed on the plot... and bam! You get what you need to pull off a great interpreting gig. Anyone who has worked a concert stage knows the crew and administration can make or break any interpreter’s success. It’s an often overlooked key to great achievement on stage.
PERFORMANCE SKILLS TECHNIQUES
No, interpreting for Michael Jackson is not like interpreting for Rascall Flatts. Steven Curtis Chapman isn't similar to Phantom of the Opera. There is a lot to learn in how to control your body in order to put out the most accurate image of the artist! Think about it! Sign masculine, Sign feminine, Sign boldly, softly, show transitions, and express those emotions. More on your face, more on your body… move those hips, need to see the beat… where’s the facial expression? Show the passion, show the… wait! Some people think you shouldn’t show passion or emotion… "What DO I DO?" The Performance Skills Techniques class will discuss several perspectives on performance interpreting and will land smack dab in the middle of a the critical techniques needed to create a snazzy and attractive presentation. Plus... you will learn how to keep your Carrie Underwood from resembling the Galinda in Wicked.
PERSONAL ANALYSIS
A great stage interpreter can look at their interpretation and self analyze, modify, and improve on the intended interpretation. There is no room for being self conscious here, we are going to SIGN, SIGN, SIGN and then ANALYZE, ANALYZE, AND ANALYZE. We will analyze ourselves, analyze each other and walk away with new goals and ideas on our own strengths and weaknesses. This part of the workshop prepares you to keep the skills going for years to come. To make it more fun, on the full workshops if time allows, we will even work on a mini concert to end the weekend with a bang and probably a few more laughs. |
