GENE BUA INTENSIVE

GENE BUA'S
INTENSIVE WITH THE STUDENTS FROM
CARTHAGE COLLEGE

Drama Professor Eric Margerum from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, brought 20 of his top acting students to California for a month of "intensives" with GENE BUA ACTING FOR LIFE. The following are excerpts from the students statements about their arriving expectations...and what they took home with them:

"I didn't dare hope that this experience could be this rich, this fulfilling. It rose above all possibilities. I know this will set new standards for the quality for acting at Carthage College. I'm making plans to return with another group soon."
Professor Eric Margerum
Theatre & Communication
Carthage College

Back Row: Jessi Caulfield, Caitlin Crawford, Julie Spofford, Tom Quirk,
Amber Lamers, Kristina Caputo

Middle Row: Julia Jacobson, Tracee Gillham, Dan Seaver, Sarah Swanson,
Jeff Esser

Front: Richard Hagopian

JESSICA CAUFIELD:

"I feel like I'm going back to school completely different person. Every scene Gene have me HIT me and allowed me to express myself so deeply. I've become a more confident person and also learned I have a true passion for teaching."

TOM QUIRK:

"I had the best freaking time of my life! I'm not afraid to be myself around Gene and you guys, I'm not so insecure about myself anymore. I found out I love acting - I love to show my heart - my heart is in it. I've made so many new friends-thanks."

JEFF ESSER:

"I broke down walls- crashed some barriers. Found out I'm more sensitive and emotional. I like to entertain in general. I love California."

CAITLYN CRAWFORD:

"I'm in school to be a kindergarten teacher - and also a theatre major. The most important thing I've learned here is trust. When I fee like I'm 'missing' something - I've already found it."

AMBER LAMERS:

"I'm a theatre major and minor in education. Gene's classes showed me a lot about people - whether it be myself or others- we all grew together here and I'm better for the experience.

SARAH SWANSON:

"This was a totally liberating experience. Everything Gene teacher works for your life. I've grown up so much. Gene shows through his students, the words he speaks are the truth. Be in the moment - let it be- the character and you become one.

RICHARD HAGOLIAN:

"Something very special happens when you walk through Gene's doors. Its almost impossible to put into words. What I'll remember the most is the magic that happens here to everyone. And Toni, thank you for having us use your house and the party.

JULIE SPOFFOD:

I've learned so much. Its about myself - in life and on stage. I made so many new friends.

KRISTINA CAPUTO:

"I've worked a lot with Eric in Wisconsin so I was familiar with many of the principles and games taught here. It is so wonderful to see where Eric's work originated, here with Gene. I love to evoke emotions in others by sharing my own."

DAN SEAVER:

"I learned what we say isn't the truth - what we do is true. how we feel is true. I learned how to deal with other people and situations...I made great friends. Had so much fun - and Gene Makes awesome Chili.

TRACEE GILLHAM:

"I'm a theatre and psychology major. I feel so refreshed to merge the two in this class. I learned its about "being" and peeling away the layers and facades. It was beautiful to see everyone grow here - as people, and as actors. It was a wonderful experience.

PROFESSOR ERIC MARGERUM

"Coming back here is a refresher course and a bathing in a waterfall for me. I wourk in a field of academics where many people use the works "Touchy-feeling" in a negative way. Don't they understand, that's where it all begins? Its about truly touching people - and how you feel about it. Working here with these wonderful students was such an honor. Gene and Toni's influence is always there for me - they are my other family here, and its hard to leave. Bit its so energizing for me, it makes me want to put it into practice . And that's life."

GENE BUA

"I'm very sad and very surprised. Four weeks ago, you guys arrived. I've learned to love you as a group - and as individuals. I gave you a piece of myself and you gave me a piece of yourselves. I'll never be the same. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," Eric I love you, trust you, and found out on this trip, on a deeper level than ever, you are one of my best friends.

PICTURES FROM A PREVIOUS CARTHAGE GROUP

"Exceptional...incredible. Not only for my acting, but for my life. This opened up what I didn't even know was there."

KAREN OLSEN

"I've been in so many movies, and so many shows, I wondered if I could learn any more. What I learned was, I never acted before I came here. I'm an artist now."
Michael Moran

"I've been all around the world and I've never found 'home' until now. I've learned more here than I've learned in my entire life. Not only for my acting, but for myself as well."
Lilanthi Weddikkara

"What hit home the most is that every one of us was brilliant. It stunned me. I wish this place and Gene & Toni could be all over the world."

Shauna Lee Olson

"I'm so excited. I feel like a banana, split wide open. I'm coming back."

Dave Thacker

"I had the most amazing time. We all learned so much. Thank you Gene, Toni, Eric and all of you."

Andrea "Tinker Bell" Mierow

"I learned it's not so bad when I show emotion. Thank you so much Gene, Toni and Eric."

Lucas Haberstich

"I had no idea how important this trip was going to be to my life. It's so much more than acting. I love you all."

Amanda Burcar

"Gene, the first day you spoke I realized I'd heard your voice somewhere deep inside me before. You opened my door."

Ozzy "The Oz Man" Ibarra

"I discovered a spirit inside me that wants to dance, to shine. And I saw it inside everyone else too."

Ayn "Lady Ayn" Boerboom

"There are no words to describe what you've given me. It was a miracle. My life and my art have changed forever."

Shayla Petties

"You opened up a whole new world for me. Thank you forever."

Ginny Van Swol

"Feelings I Can Remember"
Floating on a cloud high above the world.
Drop it in, let it go.
Screaming at the hot, molten lava of your words.
Drop it in, let it go.
Laughing out of control at every word you say.
Drop it in, let it go.
Tears like rain fall from my eyes.
Drop it in, let it go.
Flying away past wings of evil.
Drop it in, let it go.
The moment takes you over - anything can happen.
Don't fear yourself, your talent will know what to do.
Drop it in, let it go.
By

Emily Schnelle

"It was great, all of it."

Jessi Thompson

"This whole experience was so different for me and so wonderful. Thank you all."
Andrew Brewster

"I'm going to be a lawyer. I learned that truth and being genuine prevails in life, in art, in whatever and whoever I touch."
Lydia Wilhelmi

"20 people who didn't really know each other got so close. This was a great experience, delightful, so much joy. I loved it.
Lisa Robbins

"I have faith in all of you. I love you so much. Gene & Toni, you kept your promise."
Ondria Snell

"I offer this friendship ring to each of you. It's made of three metals symbolizing the gold and the brilliance in each one of you. Never forget how special you truly are."
Toni Bull Bua

"Thank you artists, for giving me back a reflection of what I do with my life. I think about the work all the time. I'm possessed by it. To see it returned to me with so much sweetness, openness and so much sophistication, as you get richer and richer in the work, is an absolute thrill. Take your life force, spirit, your genius, into the world. We'll never forget you."
Gene Bua

ERIC MARGERUM & GENE

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