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Stuart Ranson
Stuart Ranson moved to Charlotte in 2021 to become the Director of Training and Development for Charlotte Comedy Theater. Prior to that, he lived and worked in the improv comedy scenes of New York and Chicago. He has performed, taught, and coached improv for over 25 years at institutions such as
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Introduction to Improvisation
Program Description
Improvisation is a vital tool to help students socialize, build teamwork, co-create within an ensemble, generate trust, and foster empathy and non-judgement. While often hilarious in outcome, improv is at its core about playing well with others while learning how to adapt and react to changing circumstances in real time. In this applied craft, we work with the YesAnd concept to build on each
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Program Detail
Available most dates, subject to scheduling.
Available for School hours (7:00am-5:00pm) and after school program hours (3:00pm-6:00pm)
Enough open space for the group to form a circle, work in pairs and small groups, and sit and become an audience for performance games.
I can travel to your school or location.
Alternatively, we have a training space available at the VAPA Center (700 N. Tryon St.)
$100 per hour teaching/coaching
EDUCATION STANDARDS
6TH GRADE
COMMUNICATION
6.C.1 Use movement, voice, and writing to communicate ideas and feelings.
6 .C .1 .1 Use physical movement and acting skills to express a variety of emotions to an audience .
6 .C .1 .2 Apply appropriate vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression .
6 .C .1 .3 Understand how to read and write scripts .
6.C.2 Use performance to communicate ideas and feelings.
6 .C .2 .1 Use improvisation and acting skills to role play various scenarios and given situations . 6 .C .2 .2 Interpret various selections of literature through formal and informal presentations .
ANALYSIS
6.A.1 Analyze literary texts and performances.
6 .A .1 .1 Analyze plays in terms of theme, characters, conflict, and their interrelationships .
6 .A .1 .2 Analyze informal or formal theatre productions in terms of the emotions or thoughts they evoke, characters, settings, and events .
CULTURE
6.CU.1 Analyze theatre in terms of the social, historical, and cultural contexts in which it was created.
6 .CU .1 .1 Understand theatre arts in relationship to the geography, history, and culture of world civilizations and societies from the beginning of human society to the emergence of the First Global Age (1450) .
6 .CU .1 .2 CreatetheatricalworksthatexemplifythestyleandcultureofEuropeandSouthAmerica .
6.CU.2 Understand the traditions, roles, and conventions of theatre as an art form.
6 .CU .2 .1 Summarize the rules and purpose of audience etiquette .
6 .CU .2 .2 Understand the roles of actors and directors in creating performances .
7TH GRADE
COMMUNICATION
7.C.1 Use movement, voice, and writing to communicate ideas and feelings.
7 .C .1 .1 Use physical movement and acting skills to express a variety of characters to an audience .
7 .C .1 .2 Apply appropriate vocal elements, such as pitch, volume, and projection, effectively in formal and informal presentations .
7 .C .1 .3 Use playwriting skills to communicate conflict, plot, and character .
7.C.2 Use performance to communicate ideas and feelings.
7 .C .2 .1 Use acting skills, such as observation, concentration, and characterization, to perform original scenes .
7 .C .2 .2 Interpret a character from literature through formal and informal presentations .
ANALYSIS
7.A.1 Analyze literary texts and performances.
7 .A .1 .1 Analyze plays in terms of theme, characters, conflict, and dialogue . 7 .A .1 .2 Analyze styles of informal and formal theatre productions .
CULTURE
7.CU.1 Analyzetheatreintermsofthesocial,historical,andculturalcontextsinwhichitwas created.
7 .CU .1 .1 Understand theatre arts in relationship to the geography, history, and culture of modern societies from the emergence of the First Global Age (1450) to the present .
7 .CU .1 .2 Create theatrical works that exemplify the style and culture of Africa, Asia, and Australia .
7.CU.2 Understand the traditions, roles, and conventions of theatre as an art form.
7 .CU .2 .1 Compare the rules and expectations of audience etiquette for different venues . 7 .CU .2 .2 Understand the role of the playwright in relation to scripting theatre .
8TH GRADE
COMMUNICATION
8.C.1 Use movement, voice, and writing to communicate ideas and feelings.
- 8 .C .1 .1 Use physical movement and acting skills to express stories to an audience .
- 8 .C .1 .2 Apply appropriate vocal elements, such as pitch, volume, and projection, effectively while portraying characters .
- 8 .C .1 .3 Create original works that communicate ideas and feelings .
8.C.2 Use performance to communicate ideas and feelings.
- 8 .C .2 .1 Use acting skills, such as observation, concentration, and characterization, to perform original, written scenes .
- 8 .C .2 .2 Interpret multiple characters from literature through formal and informal presentations .
SEE STANDARDS AT LINK BELOW
Qualifications
References
It is with the greatest pleasure that I recommend Stuart Ranson for a position in the 2023 Arts and Science Council Directory. I first met Stuart, who came highly endorsed by mutual industry contacts in Charlotte, Chicago, and Atlanta, when I joined a Musical Improv class that he designed and taught at Charlotte Comedy Theatre in 2022. Because of Stuart’s proficiency in such a wide range of skills, I have had the opportunity to observe him in many different roles: mentor, coach, director, performer, manager, teacher, student, castmate, colleague, advocate, and valued community member. Owing to his talent, collegiality, intelligence, and drive, Stuart has excelled at each position he holds at CCT.
In the time that I have known him, Stuart has developed a thriving Musical Improv program and overseen an Improv Education program that are both built on the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a proud member of Charlotte’s first and only LGBTQIA Improv team, Alphabet Soup, Stuart uses his artistic voice to support marginalized people in and around Charlotte.
Stuart also helps facilitate internships for program students and graduates who wish to continue their arts education. As a college professor, I can attest that these internship opportunities are particularly valuable for students from historically underserved populations, who may wish to be the first of their families to attend college.
Consistently, Stuart has shown that whatever his duties may be, he will meet them enthusiastically and capably. He is remarkable in that he leads without intimidating, collaborates without shirking responsibility, and meets deadlines without being rigid. He is self-assured without being self-absorbed, calm without being passive, positive without being complacent, and is equal parts flexible and dependable. Of all of his many attributes, perhaps the one that serves Stuart best is his unparalleled ability to listen fully to divergent perspectives before making a carefully considered decision and proceeding confidently.
His capacity to strike the delicate balance of being authoritative without being authoritarian made him uniquely suited to effect positive change at Charlotte Comedy Theatre, and will make him an asset to any organization that is lucky enough to have him as a member. I cannot recommend Stuart Ranson more heartily. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for further comment.
Sincerely,
Mandy L. Butler
Featured Performer and Teaching Artist: Charlotte Comedy Theatre
Assistant Professor of Theatre & Speech, Director of Performance, Resident Choreographer, Head of Improv Program: Newberry College
mandybutlercreative@gmail.com
Cancellation Policy
1-week Window Cancellation Fee (paid by the School): $50
1-day Window Cancellation Fee (paid by the School): $100