
Theater of the Courtroom
These short videos will give you a taste of the things you will learn during our courses that will help you to enhance your courtroom experience by using your voice, body and movement to connect with the jury!

From the Stage to the Courtroom: Improvisation & Effective and Dynamic Communication for Lawyers
March 4, 11 and 18
Virginia Scott - Instructor
You know what you want to say, but how will you say it to bring your audience (of one or many) to you and your points? In the dynamic workshop you will learn to harness the skills of improvisation and find a physical and vocal integrity to fully engage whoever you encounter. We'll go in pursuit of what makes you enthralling; your personal and specific relationship to communication at your most playful, ferocious, honest and open with a colossal desire to connect and show. Dare to raise the stakes and offer us what you care about! These energizing sessions will help you develop quick thinking, adaptability, and authentic communication in high-pressure situations. Through interactive exercises, participants will learn to embrace spontaneity, connect with their audience, and add humor and humanity to their practice. Whether you're addressing a jury, negotiating with clients, or collaborating with colleagues, this workshop offers valuable tools to build confidence, presence, and rapport. Bring your body and your voice (they are friends and want to travel together!) and your sweatpants!
Alexander Technique for Trial Attorneys – Learn skills to deal with the nerves that get in the way
March 6, 13 and 20
Melissa Brown, Instructor
When on trial, nerves can get in the way. But you can acquire the tools necessary to quiet the nervous system when faced with the stimulus of a trial. This class is designed to provide you, the trial attorney, with a reliable method to help you feel more comfortable both physically and mentally when you are on trial. You will learn how the Alexander Technique works and how to apply it so you can be more grounded, centered and poised in the courtroom. For example, you will learn to identify your tension habits, both physical and mental, and once you have become aware of them, you will then learn to release them. You will not only feel calmer but will also discover that you are physically less compressed and more comfortable. In short, with the Alexander Technique, you will discover how you can both improve your performance in the courtroom and actually enjoy trying cases more.
The Art of Persuasion, Freeing Your Voice in the Courtroom
April 7, 14 and 21
Tamala Bakkensen - Instructor
Theater comes alive when the actor’s mind, body, and voice tap into something real and respond in the moment. There are the same demands for a trial lawyer in the court room. Although most people are born with the ability to express freely and openly, tension and stress over the course of a lifetime, constrain this ability, especially in a public forum. The higher the stakes, the more stress prevents being fully present and expressive. In the Voice component of this three-week training workshop, students will work to revitalize and restore that birthright. When we are present in our body and voice, we become bigger than life. We are more passionate, compelling, and persuasive. In Theatre of the Court Room, participants will become aware of how habits inhibit their bodies and voices. They will learn to recognize and release tensions that prevent freedom in breathing, and full expression of their bodies and voices. Through a series of technical and organic vocal exercises, participants will discover a more spontaneous connection to expressiveness that is centered, focused and alive. The exercises are based primarily upon the work developed by Kristin Linklater. The workshop will focus on physical and breath awareness, feeling and freeing sound vibrations through the lips, skull and body, and releasing tensions in the jaw and tongue area, while toning the soft palate to explore the higher resonators for bigger emotions in order to rediscover the 3-4 octave vocal range we were born with. There will be elements of The Feldenkrais® Method with Awareness Through Movement Lessons as part of their exploration of body, breath and vocal work. By developing a more intimate and intelligent relationship with one’s mind, body, and voice participants will gain confidence and competence to brainstorm in the moment, to command the space in the court room, and to speak passionately and with authority to influence others. It is not what we say, but how we say it that allows us to get others to feel how we want them to feel, in order to get what we want for our clients.
Speak with Intention! Match the Voice to the Written Word to Get What You Want
April 9, 16 and 23
Amy McDonald Morrison - Instructor
This class is designed to improve and expand performance skills pertaining to the speaking voice. Students will acquire a greater understanding of the mechanics of voice production and speech by matching the voice, breath and physical action to build a strong vocal presence. This is methodical work that requires commitment and willingness to shed old habits and explore vocal capacity in a healthy and protected manner. Serious work, yes, but there is also play involved! Rehearsal techniques will be introduced to free students from their comfort zones. Materials for the class will be heightened texts (poetry, sonnets, verse or song lyrics) chosen by each student to rehearse and perform. We will match these texts with physical exercises that free the voice and eliminate tension.