Virginia Commission for the Arts

Lesley Larsen

Lesley Larsen | Improv, Consent-Based Theatre, Shakespeare

Educational Background/Training

  • BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University
  • M.Lit (Masters of Literature) in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance (Acting) from Mary Baldwin University/The American Shakespeare Center.
    • Thesis: More Than Is Set Down: Examining theImprovisation Element of Original Staging Practices 
  • MFA  in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance (Acting) from Mary Baldwin University/The American Shakespeare Center
    • Thesis: Finding Ophelia: A Search for NewPerformance Choices
  • Intensives/Professional Development classes in Improv, The Viewpoints, Laban, Commedia, Acting, Voice Acting (Animation, Character, Audiobook, E-learning), Marketing for the Creative
  • Training/PD on creating theatrical safe spaces, Intimacy training, consent work

About the Artist/Ensemble

Lesley Larsen is the Artistic Director of the Historic Wayne Theatre.  Lesley holds a BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University as well as an Masters of Literature (MLITT) and MFA in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance (ACTING) from Mary Baldwin University/The American Shakespeare Center. Lesley has been working professionally in the theatre for more than 20 years as a director, actor, improv comedian, and voice actor. A collaborator and advocate for consent-based theatre, Lesley is fiercely committed to filling the rehearsal room and stage with elevated, vulnerable, playful work.  Lesley is the founder of the Improvisators: a Teen-Improv troupe specializing in long-form improv.  Serving on the Virginia Theatre Association (VTA) Board, Lesley is the Co-Chair of Community Theatre.  Alongside her colleague, Corey Holmes, Lesley has created Professional Development for educators on the topics of: “Consent and What it means for your Classroom Culture,” “Theatre Techniques to cross the Rigor Divide for the General Education Classroom,” and “Improv to Improve Classroom Culture for the Gen Ed Space.” Lesley and her colleagues were presenters for the 2024 National Conference for the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) on “Mindful Collaboration for the Non-Profit Theatre.” Lesley has taught acting and theatre at James Madison University, Mary Baldwin University, and Washington & Lee University.

Favorite companies she has performed with include the American Shakespeare Center (Blackfriars Playhouse), and the Actor’s Repertory Theatre Ensemble (ARTE) .  Lesley’s selected directing credits include The Tempest (Southern Virginia University), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Washington and Lee University), Into the Woods (FAIR), and The History Boys (540). Wayne Theatre Directing Credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Wayne at Wintergreen), Something Rotten, Deep Into the Darkness: An Adaptation of Poe’s Works (adapted by Lesley Larsen & Whitney Larsen),  Deathtrap, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, the Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest: Boy Band Edition, Little Shop of Horrors, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Elf the Musical, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson, The SpongeBob Musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, as well as various children’s productions.

Educational Program Description

Flexible depending on the needs/size of the organization.  Improv, Acting, Text-based Acting workshops, Classical Theatre/Shakespeare, Movement-based theatre (The Viewpoints, Laban)Dramaturgy, Props, Voice Acting, Introduction to Theatre.

Lesley is passionate about empowering artists of all ages.

“Never Gonna Give [Improv] Up”
Long Form Improv Workshop 

“Never Gonna Give [IMPROV] Up”-Rick Astley

This ain’t your momma’s short form improv. LONG FORM improv creates new, unscripted, unplanned scenes into an ENTIRE show. In this workshop you’ll learn the basics of creating an entire one-act that’s totally IMPROVISED.

Learn the form of comedy that most of the comedians on The Office, Parks and Rec, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Colbert Report swear by!

This is a participation workshop and participation comes in many forms. Observers are welcome.

This workshop is suitable for students teen and older.

What do I do with my hands?? 
The Viewpoints Theatre Movement Workshop 

You’re on stage. You’re acting. They’re all looking at you. Suddenly you don’t know what to do with your hands or the rest of your body. No more unnecessary fidgeting for you!

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints to give you structure and physicality to work onstage. Through practical exercises, scene work, and group discussions, you’ll gain tools to enhance your visual storytelling. This is a participation workshop and participation comes in many forms. Observers and non-movers are welcome.

This workshop is suitable for elementary school students and older.

Hey! You sound familiar!
Intro to Voice Over Workshop

So you want to get into voice over? In this workshop you will learn the basics of mic placement, some tips for cold reads, develop characters quickly, and how to learn to like the sound of your voice! (I’m serious!)

This workshop is suitable for middle school students and older

Fees

Fees vary depending on workshop size/time. Please connect with me and we can chat!

Audiences

  • All Ages
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