Buckley will offer a "Song Interpretation Intensive" on Mondays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 and March 6 and 13, 2006. The classes, designed for dedicated students and advanced professional performers, will begin with a lecture/demonstration focusing on Buckley's tools, philosophy and relaxation-meditation techniques. Subsequent classes will begin with meditation and then focus on individual voice and song interpretation work. An accompanist will be provided for the classes, which begin at 6:30 PM. The Tony-winning actress previously chatted with Playbill.com about her master classes and her methods of instruction. "I teach meditation as the means for focusing the actors' mind, and spiritual philosophy as the basis for making one's choices," the former Sunset Boulevard star said. "The song interpretation class teaches how to tell stories in song, how to interpret a song and how to connect with an audience. [Students will] work on their songs several times [throughout the sessions]. It's a long, detailed process."
Betty Buckley offered acclaimed performances in Sunset Boulevard, Carrie, Song & Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 1776 and Promises, Promises. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella in the Broadway production of Cats, and she starred on the London stage in Promises, Promises and Sunset Boulevard, earning an Olivier Award nomination for her work in the latter. Also a TV ("Eight Is Enough") and film (Tender Mercies) star, the actress-singer devotes much of her time to concert appearances around the world. Her solo CD, "Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar Warehouse," was nominated for a Grammy Award, and her newest recording, "The Doorway," is her first for the Fynsworth Alley label. The actress was also seen on the final three seasons of the acclaimed HBO series "Oz" as well as in the Lincoln Center revue, Elegies: A Song Cycle.
By-appointment-only auditions for the classes will be held Dec. 9 from 6-8 PM at the Casa Mañana Theatre's rehearsal studio. Call (817) 332-2272, ext. 100 or visit www.casamanana.org for further information. The theatre is located in Fort Worth, TX, at 3101 W. Lancaster Avenue.
