This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Welcome to Sowelu Theater's website

Sowelu Theater
Portland, OR
503.730.9066

Current Class Offerings

Meisner workshops, Acting for Film and
Summer at Sowelu Arts Camps

PAC Acting For Film Class

Portland Actors Conservatory,
Acting For Film
Heather Rose Walters, Logan Ault

WRITING FOR THE SCREEN, $330

Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, September 16 - November 18
Location: 1436 SW Montgomery St, Portland 97201
Course Description: Whether you are at the early stages or wanting to polish your final draft, you'll find the right atmosphere and feedback in this workshop devoted to your existing screenplay or your dream one. We'll discover tools for formatting your idea (whether its specifically for film or something you've adapted from another piece of your writing), writers block, or isolation. Special emphasis on character and plot development--and on finding the inspiration to complete the thing. A great class for moving you from idea to the screen.

Contact The Attic to register.

MEISNER TECHNIQUE; $350

Three sessions in 2008-9
September 19 - November 21 FRIDAYS!
January 15 - March 23 MONDAYS!
April 16 - June 15 MONDAYS!
Mornings 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Course Description: This is a great opportunity for film or theater actors looking for a technique to create truthful connections to other actors, believable behavior and an in-depth ability to express the human condition. Students will learn and apply the improvisation and repetition tools of the Meisner technique with a professional instructor.

Call Portland Actors Conservatory at 503-274-1717 to register.

ACTING FOR FILM, level 1; $350

January 31 - March 23 (Saturdays),
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Course Description: an on camera class to translate the techniques of the actor to the medium of film. This class will offer hands on guidance toward and development of the techniques that best focus the actor's work to the medium of film. For the experienced actor, this will simplify or demystify the transition to film. For the novice, the class will be an opportunity to learn skills of the actor that most readily apply to film. All daily classroom work will be on camera and viewed on a television monitor. Your work will be presented on a large screen at the final class.

Call Portland Actors Conservatory at 503-274-1717 to register.

ADVANCED ACTING FOR FILM; $350

April 18 - June 27 (Saturdays),
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Prequisite: ACTING FOR FILM, level 1
Course Description: This class will expand the work in ACTING FOR FILM, level 1 through a deeper practice with a scene partner. A scene will be developed that will be edited and shown on a full-size film screen at the final class.

Call Portland Actors Conservatory at 503-274-1717 to register.

Instructor Bio

BARRY HUNT has a 15-year history teaching acting and filmmaking. He has been an actor and director for 30 years with credits on stage, film and television. Mr. Hunt has been educating young film artists over the past nine years. One recent mentored film project was listed on the Top Ten Films of 2006 by the NY Sun. Mr. Hunt trained in the Meisner Technique at the William Esper Studio in NYC as well as the Circle Repertory Theater Lab, Robert Ravan Studios and the Indiana University Theater Program. For the past 10 years Mr. Hunt has been an award winning producer and director in his role as Artistic Director of the Sowelu Theater Ensemble in Portland where, along with the Sowelu Ensemble, he developed new acting methods derived from his Meisner work, his emersion into methods of physical theater born from the psychophysical work of Michael Chekhov through Robert Ravan and theater work born from modern dance including Viewpoints and Suzuki with The SITI Company. Mr. Hunt is the 2005 recipient of the Leslie O. Fulton Fellowship through the Portland Civic Theater Guild.