Courses
Essentials of Bibliodrama Directing
Amy Clarkson & Rivkah Walton
As evolved by Peter Pitzele, the foremost practitioner of this craft, Bibliodrama uses improvisational role-playing with untrained participants to create dynamic contemporary midrash. Groups of 5 to 350 can briefly enter just a line of text - or explore a weekly Torah portion together. Inviting participants to imagine the motivations and relationships, struggles and dreams of our ancestral family, Bibliodrama can transform the relationship of a community to biblical text.
ICM's Bibliodrama training is the only one of its kind - carefully developed by Rivkah Walton, working hand-in-hand with Dr. Pitzele, over the course of six years. Here, you participate in demonstrations and lecture/discussions, and then cultivate your directorial skills through progressive exercises. You learn all of the essential tools to select appropriate texts, create a safe playing context, warm-up the group, guide the midrash, and achieve closure. You also discuss group dynamics and professional ethics. You have the option to "solo" in a small group at the end of the week.
This training is appropriate for Jewish educators, rabbis, rabbinical students and members of havurot who wish to employ Bibliodrama in educational, liturgical, and community settings. Applicants under age 25, and Christian clergy and educators, should call Rivkah Walton at 215-438-6480 to discuss this training.
"What Rivkah Walton and Amy Clarkson
provide in this training is the result
of years of practice and refinement.
I know their work, their dedication and their
skills, and I know without a doubt that this
training will help any fledgling to fly."
- Peter Pitzele, PhD,
author of Our Fathers' Wells
The Midrashic "I": First-Person Storytelling
Arthur Strimling
Step into the sandals of a Biblical figure, uncover and embellish their story, and find the voice, posture, and movement to create a convincing character. You will explore a text, find a character, and bring him or her to life by telling the untold tale. Theatre exercises will stimulate your imagination and develop your physical and vocal flexibility. You do not need any formal storytelling experience for this course, which will prepare you to tell first-person midrashic stories in both formal and informal settings.
The Shape of the Word: Creating Midrash Through Sound and Silence
Moshe Budmor
Take a text, and apply sound and silence. Experiment with mood, texture, pacing, and rhythm to find and express your own interpretation of the ancient words. Through exercises and improvisations, we will explore the steps of musical creation using our voices and many kinds of instruments. Then small groups will work on individual pieces with Moshe's coaching. Neither a "good" voice nor knowing musical notation are necessary; only a desire to experiment with text and sound. In this course, experienced musicians and novices work collaboratively; all will find this work "ear-opening" and challenging; accessible and interesting. This midrashic method readily translates into classroom settings for all ages.
NEW!
Making Murals With Children, Teens and Adults
Barbara Smolen
Make our biblical ancestors come alive on your walls! A well-executed mural can enliven a school hallway, or create a focal point for a community. Movable mural panels can be used decoratively, as theater backdrops or as teaching tools. In this class, we will consider the steps of conception, design and execution, exploring age-appropriate methods and materials. We will discuss sources of images and materials, structural frameworks, computer-aided design and special challenges (oddly shaped and interrupted areas), as well as safety concerns. One half-day will be spent touring some of the spectacular walls of the center city Philadelphia mural renaissance to glean ideas that may be applied at home. Join us as we plan a mural, prepare our surface, transfer our design using a grid system, and paint it together. (Bring spatterable clothing!)
Midrashic Writing
Alicia Suskin Ostriker
The role of midrash in Jewish tradition is both communal and personal. When we create a new midrash in response to our own spiritual and intuitive callings, we are also simultaneously adding to and transforming the tradition - growing new twigs on the Tree of Life, and helping to create the future of Judaism. This workshop is designed for both beginning and experienced writers who seek to explore Bible as a source for their creative projects, and for educators and therapists who want to learn how to help others write midrash. Expect excitement, surprise and insight.
