This Sunday at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre the Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society invites everyone to come and lift their voices in song at a new workshop.
One of the many workshops the society hosts year round, the workshop will focus on singing in general with an emphasis on singing for the stage.
No acting experience is required to attend the workshop, just a pair of lungs and the willingness to try.
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Sandi Alaric, a long-time on and off member of the Studio Theatre society for the last 45 years, will be facilitating the workshop. A member of a couple local choral groups, Alaric has always had an interest and passion for singing, which is why she chose to head this workshop.
She will be beginning the workshop with some proper breathing exercises, voice placement techniques, posture positioning and voice exercises designed to maintain a consistent voice for extended periods of time. Throughout the workshop, Alaric said she and the attendees will be working on different pieces of music.
Running from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. the workshop is completely free to members of the society and everyday people alike.
“As we do with all of our theatre workshops, we’ve opened it up to the community. It’s not an in-house thing; we want anybody from people in church choirs, to somebody who sings in the shower, it doesn’t matter. Just come out and learn how to create a pleasing sound (with your voice),” Alaric said.
There’s no limit on the number of participants, but Alaric said she anticipates roughly a dozen attendees, though she said she’d be absolutely fine with a number as high as 30. After all, “As with anything else in the theatre, the more the merrier.”
Even for those without a desire to perform, Alaric feels the workshop and its content will be valuable. She’s found many skills she learned at the theatre have translated into everyday life, providing skills like confidence, voice control and proper posture, to name but a few.
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Finally, Alaric said the workshop is a great way for people to find out more about the Studio Theatre. By meeting its members and participating in the workshop, they can get hands-on experience with what they have to offer.
“For me, music adds just a whole new aspect to theatre. It’s probably one of the most difficult things you can do on stage because you have to develop a character, memorize spoken and singing lines,” Alaric said. “Often in musicals you have to add dance to that, so to me it is one of the most difficult and challenging aspects of theatre.”
Despite its difficulty, Alaric said she believes it’s one of the most important forms of theatre, not to mention being one of the most popular amongst general audiences.
At this workshop, people will be afforded the chance to raise their voices in song, without straining them, for three hours. In Alaric’s eyes, there’s nothing wrong with that.
“Anyone who wants to spend a Sunday afternoon singing and creating wondrous sounds, please come out,” Alaric concluded, adding interested parties are encouraged to preregister at The Open Book or with her directly at 250-398-7215.
patrick.davies@wltribune.com
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