Word Games
Language-Based Games Training For Actors
Whether onstage or on camera, language is an actor’s primary tool—yet many of us never tap into our full range of expression. WORD GAMES is a dynamic approach to bridging the gap between text and the body.At its core, language is a game, governed by rules of sound, expression, and gesture. When the stakes are high and c ommunication must be clear, we need to engage our entire instrument. But how do we make language fully physical?
The GIBBERISH WORD REPLACEMENT technique removes access to the primary text — encouraging students to rely on tone, inflection, volume, cadence, tempo, and gesture to convey meaning. When they return to the original text, they unlock the full expressive potential of language. Deeply rooted in the theater games tradition but drawing from a diverse background of classical training, Irish storytelling, verbatim theater, and immersive performance technique, WORD GAMES brings language to life with authenticity and creativity.
Karl has served on faculty at NYU’s Graduate Acting Program and was Resident Games Teacher at Chautauqua Theater Company. He has taught master classes at The Actors’ Center Teacher Development Program, Playmakers Rep/UNC Chapel Hill Professional Actor Training Program, University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Training Program, UC San Diego Graduate Acting Program, Destination Broadway, Broadway Bound Kids and Williamstown Theater Festival among others.
Karl was a national panelist and teacher for the NFAA YoungArts competition (the sole nominating committee for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts). His work as a games teacher is featured in the 2006 Academy Award nominated feature length documentary, REHEARSING A DREAM.
