Articulating the need for practical emotion education for performers: using consent-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent pedagogy to develop sustainable rehearsal and performance practices

Defining emotion: theories of emotion, delineating affect, emotion categories, and emotion concepts

Making emotion training accessible: perception and neurodiversity

Teaching emotional access and regulation through somatic attention:  exteroception, proprioception, and interoception

Current methods and techniques for the emotional education of performers: assessing the pros and cons of each method and technique

Practical exploration: A suggested work-flow for emotion performance pedagogy.

Founded in Chicago in 1995, Ellenwood Studios serves pre-professional and professional performers. We focus on integrating the skills necessary to excel as multi-disciplinary performers (singer/actor/dancer/musician/songwriter) who desire to work in all performance media from stage to screen.

Our work is informed by voice and affective science, paired with self-awareness and emotional regulation practices, and is integrated into a comprehensive and cohesive methodology. We seek to help performers to view themselves not just as interpretive artists but also as generative artists who feel empowered to actively create and collaborate. All pedagogical principles conveyed at the studio seek to assist performers in creating and maintaining sustainable and reliable performance practices.

Matthew Ellenwood holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Masters of Music degree in vocal performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University.

Certifications include: Estill Master Trainer (EMT) through Estill Voice International (EVI), Alba Method Associate Teacher through the Alba Method Association (AMA), Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through Michael Chekhov Association International (MICHA). Matthew also has training in Knight-Thompson Speechwork.

Matthew has presented voice, acting, and emotional regulation for performers at NATS, VASTA and PAVA events and conferences, and for Universities and theatre companies.

Matthew is also a co-founder and the Artistic Director of Terra Mysterium, a performance troupe focused on devising and producing original pieces of theatre and film.