By Cliff McBride and Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
As part of its ongoing expansion of arts programming across the bay, the USF College of Design, Art & Performance is offering an acting class for the first time on the St. Petersburg campus.
In collaboration with TheStudio@620, a popular visual and performing arts venue in downtown St. Petersburg, the Acting 1 class explores the basic elements of theater. Students spend the semester learning techniques, rehearsing through immersive exercises and acting along with their classmates.
“I love the fact that the students are always excited when they come in,” said Erica Sutherlin, the Artistic Executive Director of TheStudio@620, who is teaching the class. “For me, the class is as much about students learning who they are as it is about acting.”
Along with developing greater command of their voice, body and improvisation, students learn key skills in public speaking. The overall goal is for students to be able to stand before an audience with authenticity and confidence.
“I’m learning a lot about theater, and we are also just gaining confidence in ourselves,” said Tripp Tucker, a USF student in the class. “I’m seeing others in the class becoming more outspoken, less shy and timid as the course goes along.”