The Art of Transformation

HB Studio offers both online classes and in-person classes at the Studio. Before your first class, please review the information outlined on the relevant page(s). Class titles below indicate which are running online vs. in person

  • IN-PERSON CLASSES meet for the full 10-week term, 1 session per week.
  • ONLINE CLASSES are offered in 5-week Parts, 1 session per week. Sign up for either Part A or Part B independently (5 weeks each), or join both for the full 10-week term. You may join Part B without taking Part A.

Instructor: Janice Orlandi

Held in-person:

Spring 2024: Period Style: Edwardian Era 1890’s

An advanced movement for actors course, inspired by Uta Hagen’s Historic Imagination exercises, Williamson Period Style Movement, and Michael Chekhov’s Tools for Creating a Character, Imaginary Body and Character Portraits.   

The objective is to build an ensemble of actors that create and fully embody the world and the physical attributes, silhouette, presence, deportment, ease, manners, style and dances of the late Victorian and early Edwardian Era. This includes adjustments to status, dress, protocol, use of props and furniture, social customs, and cultural landscape of the Era.

Referencing Uta Hagen’s Historic Imagination exercises and applying Williamson Physical Technique and Period Styles, research and incorporate Diaries and Letters of Edwardian Historic Characters. Creating a Period Style Character with Michael Chekhov Technique, Imaginary Body, Character Archetypes, status and Atmospheres, Phycological Gesture, Character Portrait exercise. Imaginary Body and Psycho-Physical transformation.

As an ensemble we explore Period-Style Dance, Deportment, Protocols and Manners, Period Dramaturgy, Rank, Status, Characters Legacy and History, Parlor Games, Fan Language, and Historic Costumes. You will develop an Edwardian Movement Score; walking, sitting, bows, stance, deportment, and silhouette of the period, adding the use of props — as in a fan or hankie, walking stick, and gloves — with adjustments to the character’s age, physical conditions, status, rank, and social class. You will research historic characters of the era that traveled in similar social circles; Aristocrats, Royalty, Heads of State and Artists who hobnobbed in such social circles as the “Marlborough Set.” The ensemble will research and dramaturge London Society in the 1890’s, “The Belle Époque” — including ballroom dancing (Waltz, Quadrille, Grand March of the 1890’s), parlor games, ballroom etiquette and protocol — and will incorporate “Period Movement” and Parlor & Theater Games with texts from celebrated playwrights of the era such as Oscar Wilde and others.

Creating an ensemble-devised etude, “Period Style Salon, a Grand Ball in the Belle Epoch,” The Salon will include ballroom dancing, parlor games, entertainments, ballroom etiquette and protocol, and incorporating period character and tableaus with texts from playwrights of the era.

Cast of Characters Includes: Queen Victoria and British Royal Family, The Romanov Royal and Imperial Families of, Germany, Austria, Japan, India, Period Artists and Socialites Characters: Young Winston Churchill, John Singer Sargent, Ellen Terry, Sarah Bernhardt, Henry Irving, Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling, Lilly Langtry, Madame Sissieretta Jones, Edmonia Lewis, Edwin Booth, James Whistler, Molly Brown, Henry Ford, and more…

Rehearsal clothes and props:
Ladies: Long skirts with an attached train, character shoes, opera gloves, corset, Pearls, fan and small hankie.
Gentleman: walking Stick, handkerchief, Vest, white shirt and tie that can be adjusted to the period, suit Jacket, dress shoes or a jazz lace up shoes.

Current and Upcoming