HELPING local neurodiverse and disabled people reach their acting and performing potential is what actor Carolyn Myers Bock hopes to do at an upcoming workshop.
Echuca Discoveries Swan Hill will host Myers Bock’s Move, Dance, Act performance workshop conducted by next week, giving people the opportunity to learn practical acting skills from a professional.
Echuca Discoveries staff member Joanne O’Bree said she was excited to have Myers Bock on board.
“It’s about giving everybody, no matter what your disability, a time to get up and shine, have fun and express yourself and we have got some really talented people,” Ms O’Bree told The Guardian.
“I’m sure Carolyn will hone in and find hidden treasures there that we didn’t know, because people surprise you with what they can do.”
Myers Bock has had a colourful career in TV, film and theatre, appearing in shows such as Neighbours, Blue Heelers and The Red Shoes. She is also a former co-director of Rollercoaster Theatre, a not-for-profit ensemble of neurodiverse and mixed-ability actors.
“When I was there, it was about devising theatre work and skill-building,” Myers Bock said.
“So yes, get together and have fun, but take it to the next level – so what does an actor do in their process, how do they train?”
The workshop is set to cover a lot of acting skills, including body work, vocal work, scriptwriting and other practical acting tools. The workshop will also run over two full days, which Myers Bock believes is a good idea to make the most of the time they have.
“It gives us time to settle into a space without a time constraint, there’s enough time to take break when we need it, and just everybody feels like they are getting what they need in terms of wellbeing, but we can really deep dive into what an actor’s skill set might be,” she said.
Echuca Discoveries participant Joanne Stevenson said she was excited to have the opportunity to learn from a professional actor.
“It’s going to be the opportunity of a lifetime for us – it’s opening up new doors and new possibilities,” she said.
“Even though we have disabilities, it doesn’t mean that we can’t perform or act just like anyone else can.”
Another performance workshop has been scheduled for later in the year.
“What we are really hoping with that is that we get return interest, and from there maybe there is some people that want to pursue it more, and upskill from it being just a fun recreational activity to going that bit further with it,” Myers Bock said.
The first Echuca Discoveries Move, Dance, Act performance workshop will take place at the Swan Hill Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm. The cost is $20 per day and participants will be fully supported by Echuca Discoveries Swan Hill staff.
For more information, call Joanne O’Bree on 0408 305 525.
