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Kylie Rose Start Date: May 16, 2014 - End Date: Sep 12, 2014
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • London, England

My Travel Story

by: Kylie Rose Start Date: May 16, 2014 - End Date: Sep 12, 2014
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
Traveling to England to study classical acting serves as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Growing up, I devoured books by the stack, and my mother only encouraged my obsession by gathering the family on a weekly basis for a reading night. My mother used these reading nights not only as an opportunity to expose her children to classical literature, but also to show us the joy in sharing stories. Given my mother's influence, it seems a small wonder that my love for books became a love for stories. Somehow, I was the sole member of my elementary school's oral storytelling club, which helped to expand my love of stories from books to plays. Unfortunately, due to the limited arts funding in my hometown I did not have the opportunity to act in a play until I was in high school, but once I had, I knew I was hooked. I had long sought a means to encourage people to question and analyze social, cultural, political, and economic issues running rampant in American society; a means to promote social change. Theatre provided me with the perfect medium to use art and entertainment to initiate thought, conversation, and hopefully change. Before long, I began my training at Central Washington University’s BFA Professional Actor Training Program.

Over the course of three years, my studies at Central have primarily focused upon contemporary theatre, creative dramatics, musical theatre, dialects, and vocal technique. In addition to providing me with a solid understanding of the technical side of theatre by including lighting technology, scene technology, and costume technology among my classes, Central has also provided me with a foundational understanding of acting. My studies concentrated upon the Meisner technique, the Laban efforts, and the Uta Hagen method, along with Rasa boxes and Linklater’s vocal techniques. These courses provided me with a skill set and analytical abilities that when combined with my experience in Central Theater Ensemble's devised work, Challenger, deepened my appreciation for realism and for theatre as a whole. My experiences at Central have kindled within me a hunger for learning, a drive to explore new ideas, a passion for singing, along with a fascination with language, dialects, and classical acting styles. In turn, these interests inspired me to finally make good upon my desire to study classical acting and to do dialectical fieldwork for a research project I can submit to grad schools upon my return. While abroad, I plan to visit as much of my host country as possible, interviewing locals and recording a variety of regional dialects for a reference guide I will be compiling for American actors. I also plan to analyze these regional dialects and their impact upon character interpretation in classical Elizabeth and Jacobean plays.

Due to the emphases of my independent research, I want to focus my studies upon acting styles. Shakespearean acting has intrigued me for years and I dearly want to study it because of my appreciation for literature, history, and human connection. Also, I have long desired to study more physical theatre, particularly mask work and the Lecoq method. Furthermore, I would like to expand my knowledge of script analysis and types of acting techniques, so that I will have more options to choose from when I am developing a character.

I am beyond ecstatic for the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of classical acting, to build upon my love of language, and to develop my skill set as a theatre artist, all while exploring a new culture by studying abroad. By meeting new people, reveling in the history, and soaking up the atmosphere and worldview of another country, I will broaden my horizons, create unforgettable experiences, and develop into a more globally aware human being.
  • London, England

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