Aug 17: THE BODY IN HIGH STAKES: THE PHYSICAL VOCABULARY OF MELODRAMA with Jeannie Wheeldon
Jeannie Wheeldon produced professional Melodrama for over 27 years. True 19th century melodrama wasn’t about being "fake"— it was about expressing massive, high-stakes human emotion when words simply weren't enough. In this studio class you can learn how every emotion has a physical footprint.
Students will explore the rigorous, specific movement systems of authentic Victorian melodrama. Far from mere caricature, true melodrama requires absolute precision, breath control, and spatial awareness. Through targeted movement exercises, students will learn the physical shapes of passion, betrayal, fear and heroism.
By mastering these historical techniques, you will sharpen your physical precision, learn how to fill a theater with your presence, and discover the deep connection between external form and internal truth.