Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) – spearheaded by the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office (AIM) and Ateneo Culture and Arts Cluster (ACAC) – in partnership with the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), successfully conducted a three-part Virtual International Learning Session (ILS) on Performing Arts. This ILS series is also supported by the Davao Association of Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN).
AMDA is a private college conservatory for the performing arts located in New York City and Los Angeles, California. This collaboration between ADDU and AMDA aims to develop skills of students in performing arts and become a venue for students to develop their appreciation of the theatrical process.
The webinar series started last November 11 with the Workshop on Singing. The workshop was facilitated by AMDA faculty member – Mr. Christopher Stephen. Mr. Stephen is a singer, pianist, musical director, and improv actor who worked on musicals such as Wicked, Matilda, Anything Goes, and Shout! the Mod Musical.
During the workshop, the participants were given a musical piece to practice and perform. The facilitator encouraged the participants to internalize the meaning of the song and relate it to their own experiences. Through this, the musical piece was interpreted in many different ways.
The second part of the ILS was conducted a week later with the Workshop on Acting. AMDA faculty member and actor – Mr. Jaymes Camery – facilitated the workshop. He is also an independent filmmaker, writer, and producer. His films have played in festivals throughout the United States. His credits include: American Christmas (Showtime), Guys and Girls Can’t Be Friends, See Ya, The Freedom Procedure, and You’ll Be Fine.
Mr. Camery focused on teaching the participants about acting auditions. The participants were asked to perform a monologue of their choice then the facilitator gave out pointers on how to improve respectively. Over 40 students from ADDU and DACUN member schools participated.
For the last leg of the webinar series, a Workshop on Contemporary dance was conducted on November 25. The facilitator for the workshop was AMDA Faculty and Director of LA-based contemporary dance company GEOMETRY – Ms. Mackenzie Martin-Crosley. She is also an accomplished artistic director, choreographer, and actor.
The workshop on contemporary dance focused on musicality, breath work, setting intentions, and working in a present and mindful state. The participants were encouraged to remove any inhibitions and move their bodies to the rhythm of the music as the facilitator created a judgement-free environment. At the end of the session, the participants were taught a short choreography which they performed as a conclusion to the workshop.
This three-part ILS is the start of collaborative efforts between ADDU and AMDA.