Sunday Drop-In Workshop Policies and Notes

** Introduction **
Thank you for volunteering to help teach the Sunday Drop-In Workshops!  This
document is meant to give you some idea of how we're setup, and what we need
you to do.  It is continuously evolving, so, check back to see if there are
changes.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Jerry Han.  My contact info is at
the end of this document.

Thanks!

** Drop-In Philosophy and Goals **
"These excellent workshops are taught by experienced improvisers who create a
comfortable and supportive environment for those who wish to try their hand at
improvisational comedy theatre."  -- Quote from Staircase website.

These workshops are intended to give individuals basic introduction to
improvisational acting, and to help develop individual skill.

These workshops are inclusive; people should only be turned away if they lack
the maturity to work in groups.

These workshops are instructive; people should leave each workshop having
learned at least one new thing, or having developed more skill with a given
concept.

Finally, these workshops are supportive; people should be encouraged and
supported, regardless of their skill and talent level.

The goal of these workshops is to give individuals an introduction of
improvisiational methods, to develop their self-confidence and acting
abilities, and to prepare them for future workshop or stage performance.  

These drop-in workshops are also an excellent advertising opportunity for the
theatre, to allow the general public to see and have an experience of what we
do.  Remember, when you teach, you are acting as an ambassador between the
Staircase and the general public; act accordingly.  


** Drop-In Workshop Organization **
Sunday Drop-In Workshops are co-ordinated by myself, and are run by a group of
teacher/volunteers.  These volunteers are experienced members of the Staircase
improvisational acting community.  

Volunteers sign up for dates that they wish to teach a workshop on.  Each
volunteer runs the workshop using their own style, covering topics that they
wish to cover.  There is a sign up sheet located at the front counter of the
theatre that has dates for the current four-month period.  

If you cannot make a date you have already signed up for, please let me know
right away, and see if you can get one of the other teachers on the resource
list to volunteer.

My job as co-ordinator is to make sure that all workshops have teachers, to
keep the quality of the workshops high, act as a resource to teacher
volunteers, to act as a liasion between the Drop-in Workshop teachers and the
rest of the theatre, and to integrate workshops into a common cirriculum.

As co-ordinator, I answer to the Artistic Director of the Staircase, Hugh
Macleod.

I will try to meet with all the volunteers at least once every two months, to
discuss concerns, address problems, and gather ideas for the next period of
time.  Attending these meetings is not compulsory, it's just a chance for me to
me and greet with everybody.

If you are brand new i.e. have never taught a Sunday workshop before, or
haven't taught one in a long time, please speak to me before signing up for a
date.  Hugh and I will like to watch you teach a workshop before full 
approval is given to sign up for dates.

** Drop-In Workshop Structure **
Sunday Drop-In Workshops run for 2 hours on Sundays, between 4-6pm.  Most
workshops have a ten minute break sometime around 5pm.  

When starting a workshop, please introduce yourself, state briefly what this
workshop is about, and tell people that they have to sign up and that the
workshop is $2.  Also, remind people where the bathrooms are.

Workshops then usually proceed to several minutes of warm-up exercises, then to
the 'meat' of the workshop.  These ideas are under the control of the teacher.
There is a break around 5pm, usually; be sure to remind people about the food
in the cafe, and that they are welcome to bring food back into the theatre
space (though, no alcohol.)  

Most workshops centre around a main theme, and exercises and instruction are
meant to highlight this theme e.g. Character, Conflict, Environment, Scene
Work, etc.  This helps a teacher come up with ideas.

Finally, after finishing the main portion of the workshop, a cool down exercise
(usually freeze tag) is nice.  At the end of the workshop, thank the
participants for coming out, remind them of other events at the Staircase and
that they can get calendars outside, and that they can leave feedback with you,
myself, or Hugh.  

Note, that due to legal restrictions, we are unable to admit people under 14
years of age into Drop-In Workshops as partcipants.  If there are problems 
with this, please refer them to me.

** Teacher Suggestions **
-- Remember that these are beginners; set your expectations and your difficulty
levels accordingly.  Also, don't be afraid to give split-level notes.  Many
experienced improvisers attend drop-in workshops to exercise themselves; give
notes according to their level of ability.  Try to avoid the trap of focusing
on one person to the detriment of the rest of the class; if you need to give
further instruction, take the person aside at the break or at the end of the
workshop.  Keep the difficulty level in mind -- many beginners are there 
just to 'have fun', but there are also those who are looking for instruction.
This is one of the greatest challengs a teacher faces at a drop-in workshop.

-- We try to stick to certain common elements, in order to minimize confusion
among workshopers. http://www.learnimprov.com is our baseline resource for
handles.  Our general goal, however is to develop basic stage confidence and
basic scene technique.

-- Experience has shown that most workshopers like doing handles, but the
handle interferes with the quality of the improvisational acting (as workshop
participants concentrate more on the handle as opposed to the basics of
improv.)  Make sure the basics are well covered before doing handle work.  Use
handles as a reward.  

-- Fairly often, you will get groups of experienced and inexperienced
improvers.  Don't be afraid to rely on the experienced people to help you
demonstrate things.  

-- Sometimes the number of people attending a workshop will be too large for
one person to handle.  Most teacher volunteers also attend drop-in workshops;
don't be afraid to split the class.  (Use your best judgement as to when a
class is to unwieldy for one person.  As a guideline, anywhere from 12-16 is
fairly large.)

-- Don't be afraid to try new things, and make mistakes; if it doesn't work
out, do something different next time.  That being said, remember that the
participants are number one -- anything that doesn't benefit them is probably a
bad idea.

-- Sometimes you'll get individuals who have taken other training courses (e.g.
Second City), but wish to get involved at the Staircase.  Have them talk to me
after the drop-in class; we'll get them involved in prep school as soon as we
can.

-- If you're attending a workshop as a student, don't interfere in the workshop
being offered by the teacher.  If you have notes, or a suggestion, talk to the
teacher privately, after the workshop.  While on stage, the teacher should have
full support from everybody in the class, especially from other recognized
teachers in the group. 

-- Remember that everybody's comfort level concerning physicality and certain
types of content is different.  While 'accidental mature content' can occur,
try to keep your workshop within the bounds of a 'G' rated show.  By playing
to the lowest common denominator, you can keep all your students involved and
having fun.

-- If you're having problems with a student, or with an audience member, try 
to talk things over with them outside of class.  If all else fails, refer them
to me.  Teachers are supposed to teach -- it's the co-ordinator's role to 
deal with issues concerning workshoppers.

-- If you feel that a student may be ready for Prep School (the next step up), let 
me know, and we'll talk about it.  At the start of every cycle, we'll add the
next set of 'graduating' students to the Prep School level.  The decision to
add people to Prep School comes from the Artistic Director or the Co-ordinator,
with the advice and input of the teachers.  Please don't mention anything to 
the student until we have a definitive answer -- this is to preserve the 
student's confidence level.

** Resources for Student Development **
Students who wish to learn more about improv can be directed to:
http://www.learnimprov.com.  They should also be invited to come out to see the
experienced group at Charm School/Theatresports, to get them to start entering
in the groupthink that drives most Staircase Improv.

There are also available various workshops belonging to the STEP program at the
Staircase, or from outside workshop leaders; don't be afraid to find out what's
available and to make recommendations to your students.  

** Resources for Teacher Development **
Ideas for games and such can be found at http://www.learnimprov.com

The Staircase, unfortunately, has no formal development program for teachers at
this time.  However, there are experienced workshop leaders who are able to
answer concerns and offer advice over various situations.  Don't be afraid to
ask questions. 

As well, don't be afraid to trade tips and ideas between sessions among
teachers, or during our meetings.  The only stupid questions are the questions
that are unasked.

Hugh McLeod will also be sitting in on some workshops, and will be offering
suggestions and observations.  

** Final Thoughts **
Teaching provides a particular set of challenges, but also its own set of
rewards.

If you have any questions, or problems, please talk to me, Jerry Han.  If you
feel unable to approach me, you may talk to Hugh Macleod, or Laura Couchie, the
Player Rep.  And, remember, this is supposed to be fun.  If you aren't having
fun, then why are you doing this to yourself?   If this applies to you, please,
let me know -- we may be able to do something.

Thank you again for volunteering your time and effort, and I hope to see you
around on Sundays.

Jerry Han
jhan@warpfish.com
(905) 528 2773

Version: September 22nd, 2003