Course Description

Performance Skills:

Openings and Summations

A 2-Hour New York State CLE-Approved Course*

 Jurors are impacted less than 10% by a trial lawyer’s words.  A trial lawyer’s performance – posture, gestures, facial expressions – account for the other 90% of the impact on jurors.  This course will improve participants’ performance skills during openings and summations by helping participants to:

·         understand how their presentation habits impact jurors
·         expand their repertoire of performance choices
·         learn how to make the right choice for each situation

Course Structure 

The course is divided into three components:

• First Impressions.  A series of exercises to introduce course participants to the impressions made by habitual physical postures and gestures.  Participants will experiment with the effects of taking on new and unfamiliar postures and gestures.
• Working With Text.  Participants learn the keys to writing for oral presentation.  Introduction to concepts of characterization, rhythm, repetition, point of view and dramatization.
• Performance Practice.  Building upon skills learned in the first two phases of the course, Students will perform a pre-written closing statement and receive individual coaching.

(*Course is offered as a joint program with Power Plays.  Financial Aid available subject to eligibility)