React: September 20th, 2024
Welcome to React's Substack
Hey there! If you are receiving this, it means you are signed up to get e-newsletters from React. We want to spend more time showcasing our process and what’s going on in the classroom, so we’ve decided to start a substack that goes beyond the status quo of a newsletter.
React’s Substack will be our virtual stage, where we present all of our current devising techniques, projects-in-process, and student updates. It’ll be as close as you can get to being in rehearsal with us without actually being there.
We’ll also announce programmatic updates, such as registration, performance dates, and the latest on our special projects, Love Over Dose & Dreamland, here.
Your subscription to React’s Substack is free. If you choose to unsubscribe, we understand. If you stay, we’ll ask you to consider becoming a monthly donor ($5, $10, $15, or more) to React. As members of our crew, we know you understand the impact this program has on youth—whether as a space of community, self-expression, or simply a place to grow as an artist and human. One reason we can be this home away from home for young folks is the donations we receive from our people—all of you.
You can schedule “subscription” donations through our Givebutter, and write that it’s for substack in the notes.
Now, onto the fun stuff…
Registration for The Fall Experiment is open now!
Unsure about whether to come this year? Watch this video from our last Fall Experiment to catch a glimpse at what we have up our sleeve for this October.
Dreamland is on the road!
After a successful run at The District Theatre this summer, the Dreamland cast performed for the Climate Leadership Summit, hosted by Earth Charter Indiana.
Some thoughts on our social issues shows & advanced repertory class, which focus on Love Over Dose and Dreamland, from longtime student Regina:
Right now, we are revisiting the materials and interviews the original cast of Love Over Dose drew from. Their conversations on active use, loss, and harm reduction continue to inform our process. Our most recent acting technique lessons have been on Meisner‘s1 repetition and Chekov’s2 psychological gestures.
The advanced class has been a space for me to grow in creativity, collaboration, and artistry. Every session, I am inspired by a new perspective or interpretation, and it only makes me want to better my ability at telling the beautiful stories we devise. The curious and empathetic artists in this class inspire me every week.
Books Books Books
This edition’s book recommendation is from React Staff: Isaac Butler’s The Method.
A note from Justin Wade, former student and Executive Director:
Classes this session have had a great flow. Phones are off and everyone is working towards a theatre with less stress and anxiety. There is a deep level of respect and patience for the process in building original, devised3 works.
Be sure to send the React Substack to React grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends of friends, and schedule your monthly “subscription” donation through Givebutter!
Peace & Love,
Your React Family
P.S.
Do you or someone you know own/run a business in Indianapolis? We are looking for sponsors to advertise in our programs, website, social media pages, and (now) substack. Reach out to our Development Director, Alethea Harnish (alethea@reactclasses.org), to donate $250 in exchange for a half page ad in the Oz programs this November, or look through our sponsorship packages for more opportunities to become a React corporate partner.
Our newest sponsor is StretchLab, who specialize in personalized stretch sessions, with locations near Mass Ave. and on 86th Street!
Downtown Indy: 745 East 9th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317-469-1336)
North Indy: 2727 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317-342-8668)
Sanford Meisner was an American actor and acting teacher known for developing the Meisner Technique during the 1900's in response to method acting.
Michael Chekhov was a Russian-American theatre practitioner. Nephew of the famous playwright Anton Chekhov, and star student of theatre icon, Konstantin Stanislavski.
Devised theatre is a technique of building a play from scratch using collaborative acting exercises and improvisation to build an ensemble.