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COMMUNITY MONOLOGUES

with ERIC SHARP

 

A VIRTUAL COURSE FOR ACTORS

Having trouble picking a monologue for an audition? Found a chunk of text and now wondering what to do with it? MTI’s Community Monologues course with instructor Eric Sharp will challenge and uplift Asian American and other BIPOC actors by assigning text work from a variety of dramatic literature. Learning to bring a monologue to life is a vital skill for the professional performer.

Participants will memorize, rehearse, and perform a single two- to four-minute monologue over the course of this virtual MTI offering, with additional material assigned if time allows. The course will culminate in a semi-public Zoom showcase, and participants are expected to work on their material outside of class hours.

Enrollment is limited to 10 participants. Interested artists must submit an application form by Mar 20.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

DATES

This virtual course will be taught over 10 sessions from Mar 31 to May 5, Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. CT. (No class Apr 18.)

Thurs. Mar. 31

Mon. Apr. 04

Thurs. Apr. 07

Mon. Apr. 11

Thurs. Apr. 14

(No class Mon., Apr 18)

Thurs. Apr 21

Mon. Apr 25

Thurs. Apr 28

Mon. May 2

Thurs. May 5 (semi-public Zoom showcase)

ELIGIBILITY

Adult actors who identify either as Asian American and/or BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/person of color) (age 18+). Acting experience is preferred but not required. All experience levels welcome. This class is also ideal for previous MTI students to further develop their performance skills and repertoire. Remember to apply by Sunday, Mar 20!

TECHNOLOGY/SPACE REQUIREMENTS

All classes will take place over Zoom. Participants will need:

  1. Stable hi-speed internet connection.

  2. Laptop camera and microphone, or external USB camera and mic.

  3. A well-lit space to perform in.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS

$175—payment is made when you register for the class. In the past, Theater Mu has accommodated certain installment payment agreements when it made sense to do so. Send payment inquiries to info@theatermu.org.

MTI endeavors to make training accessible regardless of financial capability. Two students in the class can be awarded a partial scholarship to cover half the cost of tuition. Please send a detailed paragraph to info@theatermu.org describing the reason you are seeking a scholarship. The deadline to ask for a scholarship for Community Monlogues is Sunday, Mar 20.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application deadline: Mar 20, 2022

Apply here: Community Monologues Application Form

Applicants should fill out our online form, which includes submitting a photo and resume. No worries if you don’t have a professional photo or resume; a snapshot and list of performance experience is acceptable. Students will be notified of acceptance status as soon as possible but no later than Mar 25. Enrollment is limited to 10 students. If accepted, please note that attendance is expected at all class meetings.

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

ERIC SHARP (he/him) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Minneapolis. He has appeared onstage nationally and internationally at the Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things, the Jungle Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Live Action Set, Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, and the Minnesota, Toronto, and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He played Mowgli in The Jungle Book at CTC, and the young Dalai Lama on multiple tours of TigerLion Arts' The Buddha Prince. A member of the artistic advisory committee at Theater Mu, Eric wrote and starred in the world premiere of Middle Brother, appeared in Today is My Birthday, Hot Asian Doctor Husband, Charles Francis Chan Jr…., Two Mile Hollow, Yellow Fever, Twelfth Night, FOB: The MN Chinese Restaurant Tour, Into the Woods, Ching Chong Chinaman, and The Immigrant Journey Project, among many others. Eric recently directed the educational video series The Remix with Theater Mu, and co-produced and directed the audio story series You Shall Hear Me: Stories From Beyond. His voiceover work can be heard on Hulu, Independent Lens, Netflix, HBO Max, and Penguin Random House Audio. Look for him onstage this summer in the Mu/Jungle Theater co-production of Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band. | worksharp.org

 

From former students

“So thankful for Theater Mu, Eric, and classmates—especially with everything going on, I am so grateful to have this community to laugh, cry, and share with. This course was seriously the highlights of my week—so sad it’s almost over but am so thankful for the friendships.”

“Eric Sharp is a great teacher. He took time to get to know each of us. We talked about funny things and serious things. He gave us great coaching.”

“Watching other Asian actors (who I've come to love) actively grow and take notes is hugely motivating. Eric's advice to make UBU (ugly but useful) choices and to risk more while I work will stick. His teaching style reminds me of why I got into acting in the first place and why I stick around.”