Rehearsal Group Descriptions
All techniques demonstrated and practiced in rehearsal sessions are related to and used during the final production of classical plays and original works.
Stage Combat (Ages 10+)
Lumina offers three levels of stage combat instruction (Stage Combat I, II, and III) which give the actor training in various types of professional stage combat weapons Levels II and III offer a higher intensity-level of instruction. Some of the disciplines actors study include Unarmed Combat, Rapier, Knife, Machete, Broadsword, and Quarter Staff. Actors participating in Stage Combat must be a part of the session’s production (Intermediate, Classics or AA∓D). Stage Combat is included in the current production or performed as a separate Demonstration.
The Players (Ages 8-10)
Lumina’s youngest actors begin their exciting theatre experience as Players. They work with speech creatively, learn to develop basic characters, and practice the fundamentals of acting. Actors develop their verbal fluency in classic theatre using the techniques developed by Rudolph Steiner, and are given instruction in verbal and physical theatre styles and techniques. All Players have speaking roles in the production and are expected to memorize and practice lines and execute basic stage directions.
The Classics (Ages 11+)
This rehearsal group continues to hone their acting skills and deepen their knowledge of dramatic literature and techniques for creating natural and stylized characters. Working with more challenging roles, the actors continue to work with vocal techniques for presentation. Young actors are introduced to verse technique, imagery, and text analysis as a way of creating vibrant and expressive characters for the production.
The Guild (Invitation only)
The Guild actors learn and practice advanced Steiner and Linklater speech techniques. In addition basic Chehkov methods for building character through physicalization are introduced. To be invited into The Guild, an actor must have participated in a minimum of four major Lumina productions and be at least 13 years of age. Each member of this select group of actors has demonstrated exceptional dedication and ability in performing, and a desire to expand their acting talents and explore the directorial side of theatre. Guild actors are required to attend coaching sessions with the Director. The Guild requires a two session commitment (i.e., Spring and Fall).
The Ensemble (Invitation only)
Ensemble actors perform Staged Readings of modern 20th century playwrights (such as Jean Giraudoux, Christopher Fry, Caryl Churchill, Samuel Beckett, Karen Hartman, and Lumina’s own playwright, David Minton) and original premiere works. Within rehearsals, the actors also discuss and practice audition techniques and develop their own head shot and acting resume. The Ensemble requires a full season commitment (i.e., two sessions) with the Staged Readings presented in the Fall and a full production in the Spring.
The Lumina Studio Group (Adults and Teens)
This Group offers adult actors the opportunity to act in full length adaptations such as The Hound of the Baskervilles and short one-act plays such as Trifles by Susan Glaspell or The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard. A few advanced Lumina actors are asked to participate each year. The Studio Group rehearses during December and January and performs at the end of January.
