"The consistent intention of all practical drama work has been that of helping the natural, organic development of each individual, exploring, discovering and mastering his/her own resources, and attaining a sensitive, confident relationship with his/her environment." Brian Way, Development Through Drama
Actor Inside, the theater component of the Artist Inside Program, teaches acting to youth in the Juvenile Justice System in the state of New Mexico.
As part of the Artist Inside Program, we believe in creating a space to effect growth and change. We define the word acting in its broadest possible context - the behavioral process of doing something – as well as the creative art form of dramatic and theatrical performance.
Beneath the overarching goal of critical self-evaluation and reconstruction, ActorInside classes focus on four key areas of skill development:
MOVEMENT -kinesthetic awareness, corporeal expression, physical embodiment of character VOICE -articulation, projection, oral expression, public speaking skills ENSEMBLE -trust, cooperation, communication, social responsibility/accountability, collaborative creativity, group problem solving LITERACY -creative writing, critical reading and memorization of poetry and plays
For the first part of the session, we use the theater games and exercises of Augusto Boal and Michael Rohd, as well as the improvisational acting techniques of Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone, to cultivate student’s abilities to trust, focus, communicate and play in the collaborative process of creative dramatic expression.
After this preliminary skill- and ensemble-building
period, we begin to explore the performance of dramatic texts, and
utilize William Weigler’s playbuilding techniques to devise our own
original theatrical pieces. The content of the pieces is decided upon
by the students, and based on their own writings, improvisations,
thoughts, interests, dreams and imaginations.
ActorInside classes are bilingual (English/Spanish), grounded in strength-based pedagogy, and aligned with the National Standards for Theater Education. Students adhere to a collaboratively generated contract delineating the conditions of a safe and respectful learning space, and participate in a final self-reflection evaluating personal skill acquisition and overall experience.
As part of the Artist Inside Program, we believe in creating a space to effect growth and change. We define the word acting in its broadest possible context - the behavioral process of doing something – as well as the creative art form of dramatic and theatrical performance.
"Acting requires presence. Being there. Playing produces this state. Just as players in any sport are present in the playing, so must all theater members be present in the moment of playing, in present time. Presence arrives through the intuitive. We cannot approach the intuition until we are free of opinions, attitudes, prejudices and judgments. The very act of seeking the moment, of being open, produces a life force, a flow, a regeneration for all who participate." Viola Spolin, Theater Games for Rehearsal
Actor Inside
Actor Inside, the theater component of the Artist Inside Program, teaches acting to youth in the Juvenile Justice System in the state of New Mexico. 
After this preliminary skill- and ensemble-building
period, we begin to explore the performance of dramatic texts, and
utilize William Weigler’s playbuilding techniques to devise our own
original theatrical pieces. The content of the pieces is decided upon
by the students, and based on their own writings, improvisations,
thoughts, interests, dreams and imaginations. 