Presenter Profile
David Saphier
Guest Artist, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Education Team
David is in his 20th year as a DCPA Education teaching artist. Before moving to Denver, he interned in education departments at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and The Coterie Theatre. He was last seen on the stage as Polonius in Nirvamlet for the Band of Toughs. This summer, he directed The wizard of Oz for the Middle School Performance Program. David received his BA at The Colorado College and his MFA in Theatre for Youth at Arizona State University.
David's Workshops
CHARACTER BIOGRAPHY: CRAFTING BACKSTORY
Beginning, Intermediate, / Acting, , , Tech, , / Regular
Who is the who behind the character that you have been cast as? What can be done to create your character if the script seems to reveal no obvious answer to this question? This workshop’s tools and activities will expand your knowledge about creating a character biography (or backstory) by combining improvisation, writing, and dramaturgy. Led by educator and actor, David Saphier, whose deep understanding of combining dramaturgy and improvisation has furthered the work of numerous students and performers, the workshop activates strategies for you to delve into script analysis as well as creating through improvisatory play. Not a sit-and-get, the workshop combines thinking with doing and is especially empowering if you are in the process of creating a role or working audition pieces.
Theatrical Fight Club
Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced / Acting, , , , , / Regular
Limited to the first 30 actors to arrive, this stage combat workshop is for actors (and technicians) of all experience levels and will focus on creating compelling theatrical fights that are perfect for enhancing many plays including those by Shakespeare! Master educator, David Saphier, brings a sense of warm humor to the serious business of staging violence. Be prepared to move and follow specific step-by-step direction that releases into a sense of chaos and action!