Scene Study Workshop: Character Exploration Through Scene Work
Join Pivot’s workshop guru, Samantha Alexandra, for this four-session intensive that invites beginner to intermediate actors to dive deep into focused scene work and character exploration. Working in pairs, participants will analyze, rehearse, and perform scenes drawn from contemporary and classical plays in a fun, safe, and supportive environment that allows them to take risks and grow as an artist. Each session builds toward stronger emotional truth, partner connection, and creative confidence, culminating in an informal showing and group feedback discussion.
About the Class
Dates:
July 14 and 21 – 7 pm
July 18 and and 25 – 11 am
Location:
Progress Lab
1422 William Street, Vancouver
Price:
$150/person
Ages:
16+
Workshop Structure
Session 1 – Introduction & Scene Selection
Warm-ups, ensemble building, and partner pairing. Introduction to objectives, obstacles, and tactics. Begin text and character breakdowns.
Session 2 – Table Work & Staging
Explore the given circumstances, relationships, and emotional arcs. Begin light blocking and explore initial character physicality and voice.
Session 3 – Coaching & Refinement
Guided coaching sessions to deepen emotional truth, refine pacing, and develop physical and vocal specificity.
Session 4 – Showing & Feedback
An informal presentation of scenes for the group, followed by constructive feedback and discussion on process, growth, and next steps.
Learning Focus:
- Deep text analysis for grounded, truthful scene work
- Physical and vocal exploration to create specific, embodied characters
- Emotional commitment and bold performance choices
- Partner connection and ensemble awareness
- A fun, safe, and supportive environment to take risks and grow as an artist
By the end of the workshop, participants will have strengthened their confidence in both text-based and physical storytelling, learning how to make intentional choices about physically embodying their characters. They will gain practical tools for analyzing and approaching any script—such as identifying objectives, obstacles, and tactics—while developing a stronger sense of how to build meaningful backstories. Through collaborative work, they’ll refine their ability to connect authentically with scene partners, and walk away with a fully rehearsed, performance-ready scene. Most importantly, participants will leave the workshop feeling more confident, expressive, and grounded on stage.
Meet the Instructor
Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Samantha has been immersed in the theatre since childhood. She earned her BFA in theatre from Memorial University in 2014, and her BEd in drama education from UBC in 2020.
Samantha has extensive training in voice, movement, scene study and monologue work, clowning, and a range of acting techniques including Stanislavski, Alexander, and animal embodiment. She has also trained in puppetry, voice acting, and improv. Samantha believes in working organically with actors of all ages and fostering a collaborative storytelling process.
Now based in Vancouver, Samantha is a public school educator and also an actor, with credits including “Father Tartuffe” (Arts Club), “Our Town”, “Sylvia”, “Emilia”, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, “Abandon Hope Mabel Dorothy”, “The Penelopiad”, “The Taming of the Shrew”, and “In the Next Room”. She directed “The Revolutionists” and “The Birds and The Bees” at Vagabond Players, and was most recently seen in “Tempting Providence” with Little Dippers Theatre.