Stage actors and attorneys have a lot in common. They both work in front of a live audience; they both depend on their voices and bodies as the instruments to send their message; they both tell a story to pursue their objective; they both need the skills to persuade and to overcome obstacles.
Actors must develop their voices, their bodies and their intellect in order to serve their purpose. The same techniques that actors must use to develop their craft are applicable for courtroom presentations.
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"When you are in the courtroom, you are an actor on a stage. The judge and jury see everything you do."
– Celeste Walker
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Effective courtroom performance is dependant on communication that is not only fact based, but is also believeable, persuasive and compelling.
Messages are not only about what is said, they are also about what is heard and understood. How you communicate is as important as what you communicate.
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"One of the most
helpful things I took
away from the class
was awareness
of body language."
– Tamiko Walker
Litigator
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Breathing and Relaxation: Recognizing tension, promoting relaxation.
Preparing to Speak: Correct breathing techniques, vocal warm-up exercises, and articulation.
Physical Work: Walking and talking with a purpose.
Speaking with a Purpose: Metamessages and subtext.
Storytelling: Personalizing an event, developing creativity and imagery.
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"All lawyers should be more aware of their surroundings, how they present themselves."
– Michael Wingate Jones, Esq.,
The Philadelphia Daily News,
January 24, 2005 |
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Understanding and Working your Audience: What messages are you sending?
Witness Preparation and Testimony: Listening and making contact.
Opening Statement: Attention grabber, personalized plain talk.
Closing Arguments: The final monologue - a dramatic story. |
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"Anybody who wants to do trial work should absolutely take acting classes."
– Honorable Lita Indzel Cohen,
Pennsylvania State Representative
and former workshop attendee
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WHERE: Wilma Theater
256 S. Broad St. Philadelphia
PRICE: $350/person (Ask about group rates and discounts)
For more information and to register for a workshop call the Wilma Theater:
215-893-9456 ext. 113
More information online at www.wilmatheater.org
(Click "Education," then click "Attorneys.") |
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