We’d love to help you get to know our incredible TBG teaching artists a little bit better, so we got Martin Van Treuren to answer a few questions! Check out our interview with him below…
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What is your favorite class to teach at TBG and why?
MVT: I find such pleasure in, and continue to be inspired and energized by, the work done by the students in all my classes. If I had to single out one class it would have to be Musical Theatre: Acting for Singers. My early career was mainly in the musical theatre, and it’s been a joy revisiting that genre.
In this class I use many TBG tools and also bring tools from my many years of practical experience. I remind the students that all the music from the intro, the accompaniment, the melody, and the lyrics are all textural material to be examined. All the music and lyrics are coming from you the actor as the character.
This class has always had students of various ages and experiences. People who are beginning their journey as well as seasoned performers wanting to sharpen their skills. What pleases me most is that they have always been a very supportive group who revel in the joys of discovery for themselves as well as for their fellow students.
What is something you recently learned or were reminded of in the world of acting, writing, or directing?
MVT: For some reason, the algorithm on my Instagram feed sends me wonderful videos from master acting teachers and actors talking about the craft. If there is one common theme that comes across, it’s to be your authentic self.
What is a recent, current, or upcoming project that you’d like folks to know about?
MVT: I don’t have anything in the works at the moment, but I continue to work on my craft. I take Seth’s Master Class which keeps the actor muscles going. I’ve enjoyed working on multiple scenes from the same plays, like The Dresser, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Retreat From Moscow, and several others.
My fellow classmates are gifted actors who have been around TBG for a while, and it feels like a real ensemble. I was very lucky to work on A Walk in the Woods in this class in our old space, which culminated in one of our mainstage productions.
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To take a class with Martin…check out Musical Theatre I: Acting for Singers starting 3/17 or Beginner Acting Class II: Getting Specific starting 4/5!