Umpqua Valley Arts Association

Arts in Education

Overview | Artist Bios | Apply as an Artist | AIE Check-off

Melinda Strobel (History in Motion, Literature Alive)

About the Artist

Melinda studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and has a degree in theater from Willamette University. Her performance work has ranged from London to Portland, including film and improvisational murder mystery, Shakespeare to Winnie-the-Pooh. Because of her extensive research (and dedication to meet history on its own terms) her historically based one-woman shows have received several humanities council tour grants, allowing Strobel to take interactive theater to large and small communities around the country.

Having taught several classes for the Oregon Children's Theater using acting techniques to unlock literature, Melinda has also led several workshops for adults. She has experience and training in stage combat, dance, mime, mask, voice production and dialect, and singing. Between roles, she is busy performing her "mother" role for her two small children.

Grade Levels

K - Adult - After School

History

Physical, vocal and psychological warm-ups. Creation of historical characters and events based on students' research; improvisational based on historic situations and characters (1-3 sessions). For longer residencies (5-7 sessions), creation of literature-based plays and preparation for individual performance of historic characters.

Literature

Physical, vocal and psychological warm-ups. In the 1-3 sessions: exploration of poetry, first-person narrative (monologue) and two-character scenes from literature (dialogue). For longer residencies (5-7 residencies), creation of literature-based plays and preparation of monologues and scene work for performance.

For Younger Students

Strobel introduces younger students to acting techniques through structured, imaginative play. As Melinda specializes in in-depth research of historical figures and bringing them to life through humor, drama and audience interaction, students involved in her residencies will be given a taste of this work. Because these residencies are interdisciplinary in nature, students who participate in longer residencies will experience more. Strobel will craft residencies to reflect a particular school's curriculum needs.

Facility/Supplies

Access to libraries and minimal photocopying costs. If specific literature is used, students will need access to those materials.

Large open space (classroom with desks pushed to one side, gym, stage, cafeteria, etc.)

Home Stays

Required.

Overview > | Artist Bios | Apply as an Artist | AIE Check-off

Site designed and hosted by Creative Images