Master Class Series
	Since 1999, the Actors' Training Project of Oakland, CA, has sponsored a broad series of master classes and visits with dynamic artists who are working around the country and abroad. All of these extraordinary visitors are interested in the integration of acting, voice and movement skills that is the particular work of the Actors' Training Project; they also have a wide range of other profession-related interests and areas of expertise. Informal videotapes of all of the sessions are archived for student viewing. The Master Class Series has engendered exciting performances, collaborations and projects, both trans-national and trans-continental. Andre Bernard: Teacher of Ideokinesis, Creative Body Alignment H.S. Shivaprakash, Ph.D.: Poet and Playwright Kunsu Shim, Gerhard Stäbler: Composers John McConville, M.Div.: Dancer, Choregrapher, Teacher, Director Anna Hadzi: Actress and Producer Michele Cuomo, MFA: Director, Actress, Dancer, Teacher Nathan Thomas, Ph.D.: Actor, Director, Composer, Teacher, Scholar Bill Smith, MFA: Teacher, Director, Filmmaker, Writer, Actor
	November 2000
	H. S. SHIVAPRAKASH: PLAYWRIGHT, POET
	Please welcome Dr. H. S. Shivaprakash, who is concluding his prestigious three-month lecture tour of the United States and Canada here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Shivaprakash is one of the most important contemporary playwrights and poets of India. Writing in the South Indian language, Kannada, his highly theatrical plays are often based on local myths and legends; they are known for the brilliance of their language and are widely translated. His plays, such as The Dream Boat of Shakespeare, Mahachaitra and The Storysong of Mandai Swami, are recognized to be among the best of Indian dramas today. Dr. Shivaprakash is also a learned theatre scholar, and having served as Professor of English Literature, he is now Editor of Indian Literature, the foremost literary journal of India. Anyone interested in either the traditional or contemporary theatre and poetry of India, or in literature in general, will enjoy the special chance to meet this eminent man, whose work integrates scholarship with theatre practice, and represents the cutting edge of Indian culture today. Says Chandradasan, Artistic Director of India's Lokadharmi Theatre Group: "The play by Shivaprakash called, The Dream Boat of Shakespeare, is the best thing I have ever read on Shakespeare."
	MORNING SESSION		10:30 TO 1:00
	Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Indian Theatre But Were Afraid to Ask Shivaprakash will offer a sweeping Advanced Overview of Indian theatre—its history and traditions, its theoretical concerns, the current "scene." His perspective on these is both well-grounded and highly original; his insights here will provide us with a context for the afternoon session.
	AFTERNOON SESSION		1:30 TO 3:30
	Dr. Shivaprakash: His Own Life and Works In the afternoon session, Dr. Shivaprakash will focus on his own work—introducing us to his plays, and talking about his writings. Shivaprakash is an adept at yoga and a master of Reiki, the laying-on-of-hands technique; we hope to have time to hear his new preliminary thinking on the relationship between these practices and actor training, as well.