COMMUNITY ART COURSES

Workshop 1: Suzuki Method of Actor Training
Workshop 2: The Six Viewpoints Somatic Practice

Workshop 1: Suzuki Method of Actor Training
Dates: Mondays, September 8, 15, and 22
Times: 6pm – 9pm
Location: The Commons, 401 E. Jefferson St.
Cost: Free Will Offering; Suggested Donation – $25

The Suzuki Method of Actor Training is a rigorous physical discipline striving to restore the wholeness of the body as a tool of theatrical expression. Established by Suzuki Tadashi and The Suzuki Company of Toga (SCOT), the training draws on diverse influences such as ballet, martial arts, and ancient Greek and Japanese theatre – it focuses on control of the breath, concentration, and articulation of the legs and feet through the center of gravity. Originally created for actors, but useful for anyone interested in deepening their ability to control, express, and move their body. No experience is necessary. Find more information about the training at their website, https://www.scot-suzukicompany.com/en/, or their YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4x69fHyP2xx667J7SMlGPA.

**Participants will need to wear socks and clothes they can comfortably move in**

Workshop 2: The Six Viewpoints Somatic Practice
Dates: Mondays, November 3, 10, and 17
Times: 6pm – 9pm
Location: The Commons, 401 E. Jefferson St.
Cost: Free Will Offering; Suggested Donation – $25

The Six Viewpoints
The Six Viewpoints is a somatic practice that establishes and expands the base of performance. Created by Mary Overlie, this training seeks to sensitize and develop the performer’s relationship to the six fundamental and often overlooked materials that are found in the creation of all art: Space, Shape, Time, Emotion, Movement, and Story. The training asks us to examine each material, or Viewpoint, individually and practice perceiving it with the whole of our mind and body. Originally created for performers, but useful for anybody interested in deepening their ability to perceive their body and world around them. No experience is necessary. Find more information about the training on the website https://www.sixviewpoints.com/sixviewpoints.

**Participants will need to wear clothes they can comfortably move in**

To Sign Up – Email nathan@thoreaucollege.org

About Nathan Shu

Nathan Shu is the 2025-2026 Thoreau College Artist-in-Residence. He grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis where he majored in directing. He studied The Suzuki Method of Actor Training with the SCOT Company in Japan, and The Six Viewpoints with Wendell Beavers, Sophia Treanor, and Deborah Black in NYC. He continues to ask the question “what does it mean to perform,” and hopes to create work that deepens, complicates, and disrupts our understanding of what it means to exist as humans on this planet. He loves being outdoors, has a deep interest in agriculture, and is excited to be somewhere he can both make art and work outside!

Figure Drawing Course ~ Fall 2023

Instructor:  Vicki Ramsay

At the heart of figure drawing is reverence for the human body. This beginner-level course invites students to draw precisely what they observe. We will practice eye-hand techniques such as gesture and contour drawing.  Our work will stem from basic principles of proportion and perspective. Students will draw from live models, using conté crayon and graphite as tools. We will begin with understanding quality of line and work toward capturing light and shadow. Our goal is to create drawings that feel complete and balanced: grounded, proportionate, and full of life. The class is open to anyone 18 and older. 

This is an intergenerational Community Education offering of Thoreau College, bringing together students and fellows of Thoreau College with members of our wider community.

Materials:

Materials are available for an additional $40.  The kit supplied includes:

• One small set of 4 conté crayons (sepia, umber, white, black)
• Graded set of graphite pencils from 4H to 4B (at least 5)
• Kneaded eraser
• white polymer eraser
• small, handheld pencil sharpener
• 18 x24″ newsprint pad
• 18 x 24″ drawing pad

Registration for this course is now closed.

ABOUT VICKI RAMSAY~

Vicki Ramsay is an outdoor & environmental educator in summers and a high school science, math & art teacher throughout the school year. She has been teaching at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, at Youth Initiative High School, and at the Driftless Folk School for the last 16 years. She was a life drawing student under Robert Schulz in Madison, WI and did coursework in biological illustration with a variety of instructors. She lives in Viroqua and has 2 sons, ages 21 and 14.