Professor Owens Takes the Chekhov Method to Detroit
Professor Melissa Owens presented six workshops to the MFA & BFA acting candidates of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, while serving as their week-long Artist in Residence for their Department of Theatre and Dance. The workshops centered on the studio methodology of the Michael Chekhov Acting System, its application to Musical Theatre, and its connections to the discipline and ideology of Yoga.
“…Not once did anyone ever get me to a point of acting the song even remotely close to where Melissa took me.”
Kyle Johnson, a 3rd Year MFA at Wayne State University said that working with Professor Owens was an eye-opening experience: “I have an undergraduate degree in musical theatre, not once did anyone ever get me to a point of acting the song even remotely close to where Melissa took me. Her unique ability to quickly identify body language/tension/lack of commitment in the work of her students, and then to quickly, efficiently, and tactfully redirect the focus and energy into positive results with the work is unparalleled in my experience.”
Professor Owens was also cited as a contributor in the upcoming book, Directing with the Michael Chekhov Technique, with her description of the exercise “Chekhov’s Imaginary Body.” The book, authored by Mark Monday, will be released in March 2017.
