| | COMING SOON IMPROV FOR SUCCESS!!! STAY TUNED
networking
is a lot like improv. you never know what to expect. you have to be
able to think on your feet and be memorable. we'll be doing fun improv
games designed to help you be more effective at networking by helping
you be spontaneous and confident. are you game?
 Sunday, September 20, 2009: FALL FOR READING! Celebrate
the joy of reading together as a family with stories, crafts and fun
activities. Fall for Reading, hosted by the Loudoun Literacy Council,
encourages families to read together, play together and plan to
continue to learn as a family all year long.
This free event will include a variety of fun activities such
as an interactive dramatic storytelling by the drama coach, ritzya, book
signings by local children's authors, an art activity area,
facepainting, refreshments, music and more!
Bring the entire family and join us
Loudoun Literacy Council's Family Literacy Event
Rust Library
380 Old Waterford Road
Leesburg, Virginia
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Friday, September 25, 2009: GWSRA (Greater Washington
Shorthand Reporters Association) will host the opening of their annual
convention with a happy hour/educational workshop combination
featuring, ritzya, the drama coach. STAND OUT!
BE REMEMBERED! Too many times court reporters fade into the
background. While we are working harder than anyone else in the room,
we often fail to get noticed. GET NOTICED! Learn techniques for
presenting yourself before and after a proceeding so that you are
remembered in a postiitive way! ritzya is more than a
motivational speaker. She will teach you how to be remembered in any
setting, business or social. She can teach you how to exude that quiet
confidence so many of us possess, but often fail to show. As a result
of being remembered, you can make more money and have a more fun life.
September 6, 2009: Singers Performance Workshop, co-led by Terry Lee Ryan,
New Orleans pianist/singer/entertainer and ritzya,
the drama coach. At Alexandria's swingingest spot for live music, dancing and open mic entertainment, Paradiso Restaurant.
Sept. 1, 2009: Women in Technology (WIT) Worksforce
Development Committee, a service committee of WIT, to people in
transition held their monthly meeting led by Ardell Fleeson with special guest ritzya, the drama coach,
speaking about "reinventing yourself".
The core message was two-fold: BE OPEN TO OPPORTUNITY! SEE POSSIBILITIES EVERYWHERE! But always be your authentic self.
August 22, 2009: CPCUG Capital
PC User Group (CPCUG), a group for computer consultants and entrepreneurs using computers, presented "Delivering Presentations That
Make You and Your Message Memorable: Using Your Passion and Creativity To Become a Powerful Speaker" with
special guest trainer, ritzya,
the drama coach. Participants had a blast with ritzya leading them in interactive ice-breaker exercises and lively discussion on how to be memorable. See comments on testimonial page.
July 23-July 31, 2009: ritzya, the drama coach,
had the privilege of participating in the National
Officer Training for SkillsUSA,
a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force.
They help each student excel. ritzya facilitated and coached the 15 newly elected national officers in
public speaking and communication skills.
These are the crème-de-la-crème, representing the organization on a
national level. Being a national officer is one of the highest honors a student
can achieve in SkillsUSA. It can also be one of the most rewarding experiences
for a student, too. The results of the week-long training were dramatic, to say the least. For more info about SkillsUSA, visit www.skillsusa.org.
July 15, 2009: Lights,
Camera, Action! Local teens had a blast as they had to think fast and act
faster in improv games. Then they watched their performance on screen. Loudoun
County Public Library, Cascades branch, brought in ritzya, the drama coach,
to lead an energetic, creative, fun evening of improv games and drama for ages 12-18.
July 10-11, 2009: The
Northern Virginia Home Education Conference held at the Dulles Expo & Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, welcomed ritzya,
the drama coach, who presented "ABCs of Leadership and
Communication". This workshop gave
parents an opportunity to bring their children who are interested in public
speaking to work on an actual speech, an essay, a
poem, a monologue, or an excerpt from literature. The workshop attendees participated in a fun ice-breaker. Then some brave volunteers were "guinea pigs" as ritzya demonstrated the coaching process, while teaching basic public speaking skills and more advanced presentation
techniques.
June
25, 2009: The Loudoun Small Business Development Center once again brought ritzya
in for a special workshop on how to deliver a dramatically effective
elevator speech. But they got much more than they bargained for. With
tables full of silly props and some improv games, attendees came out of
their shell
and found out they can have fun and do business at the same time!
Including SBDC Director, Robin Suomi and Assistant Director, Glenn Dean.
June 21, 2009: ritzya sang to a packed house at Vespucci's Fine Italian Restaurant in a special Father's Day Show entitled: "Songs I Sang for my Father". A touching tribute to, not only ritzya's dad, but fathers everywhere. The entire show can be viewed on YouTube by putting "ritzya" or "ritzyalive" in the subject box. Enjoy!
May 27, 2009: ritzya live!
at
Serbian Crown Restaurant
Great Falls, Va. The "house" was packed with an overflow, standing-room-only crowd, as young and old alike witnessed ritzya
really come out of her shell. She sang some of her "favorite songs
from way back when," as she told the story of how she got back into the singing and entertainment world after a 25 year hiatus. An unforgettable
evening of fun and song
as only ritzya could
provide.
ritzya with dollar signs in her eyes!
May 13, 2009: The Capitol
Creativity Network sponsored "Creative
Presenting: Using
your passion and creativity to deliver presentations that make you and your
message stand out", with Ritzya, Communication
Coach and founder of thedramacoach. com. In today's world, leaders have to be
powerful speakers. They grab attention, keep attention and make
an impact.
They have vision and passion and know how to inspire others to
action. In this fun, engaging session, participants discovered how to
add excitement,
creativity and energy to their presentations through interactive
exercises in
order to be a more effective communicator. They learned how to overcome
fear
of presenting and public speaking, have confidence in
theircommunication
skills, learn tools and techniques to create a memorable message,
deliver their
message with passion and feel energized about who they are what they
do. For information on future events sponsored by the Capitol
Creativity Network, check out their website: www.capitolcreativitynetwork.com.
March 12, 2009: DBM, a top national recuiting firm, hosted an interviewing technique seminar in their tysons corner office, with ritzya, the drama coach. Topics included how to make your "TMAY" ("tell me about yourself") memorable while still being authentic. There was heated debate about how one should differentiate oneself. but there was no disagreement about the importance of setting yourself apart and connecting with the interviewer in a powerful way. One attendee commented: Ritzya, you really gave me food for thought. I am going to work on
the orchestra leader and gardening metaphor. Also, think I need to use
words that emphasize or punch points. I really thought the session was great! Stretched my
thinking!
Best regards,
Dolores Wilverding
 February 11, 2009: Women in Defense
Capital Chapter held their Professional Development Breakfast featuring ritzya, the drama coach, presenting a seminar entitled,
"Making a Lasting First Impression". Using fun props and real-life examples, ritzya had everyone smiling and laughing as they explored new, innovative ways to communicate messages that make an impact!
Pictured with ritzya are: Laura Van Eperen, WID-DC Programs Chair; Vicki Fiore, WID-DC PRograms coordinator; and Candace Vessella, WID-DC President.
February
3, 2009: Profitable Women Connections welcomed ritzya, The Drama Coach with her highly acclaimed workshop, "Metaphorically
Speaking" - Using colorful images to stand
out and be
remembered!
Jackie Ciao, co-founder of PWC, gave these glowing words afterwards: Thanks
Ritzya so much for a colorful and lively presentation ! Also, for the summary
of our exercise below, that will help us work on "jazzing up"
our self branding. And thanks for your excellent follow-up. You are the best speaker we ever had !
January 30 and February
6, 2009: "Tell it like it is - a
funny thing happened on the way to the library" ritzya, the drama coach was at the Loudoun County Public Library, Cascades Teen Center presenting a
story-telling workshop where the kids got to tell your own stories like never
before. Got a story to tell? Make 'em laugh; make 'em cry; make them sit
on the edge of their seats.
January 27, 2009: Northern Virginia
Business Referrals hosted ritzya, The
Drama Coach with her seminar SAY
MORE; USE LESS WORDS! Creating the
Ideal Infomercial. You have
just 15 to 60 seconds to grab the listener's attention; to say something clear, catchy and compelling.
How will you say it? Stop
talking about what you do and start talking about what you love. Use
powerful metaphors, tapping into emotions. With a little fun, dramatic
connections
happen. Create a specific,
individualized pitch that is uniquely and authentically you, that sets
you
apart from the competition; that makes you memorable. TOP OF
MIND!
October 29, 2008: ritzya, the drama coach, presented her workshop, "Metaphorically
Speaking", to a group of financial advisors from AXA Advisors, LLC of Falls Church, VA. There was lively discussion about the characteristics of a great speaker and what makes someone memorable. The attendees left full of ideas and excitement about communicating with passion and fun, including creative, out-of-the-box techniques to stand out and be remembered.
Here's some comments from participants:
Your
presentation at AXA was full of energy
and elicited a rush of new ideas in approaching others. You are utilizing
your skills in effective ways.
C. Scott
Perkins, Financial Consultant
I really enjoyed your presentation today. It really
made me think of all the potential attention grabbers
and ice breakers there are in our day to day
interactions! I hope our paths cross again. Thank you. Rick Rhode, Financial Consultant
 September 13, 2008: Loudoun Cares and Claude Moore Community Builders welcomed back their "very own beloved ritzya" for another public speaking workshop. This time the students prepared speeches about their community service placements and how their involvement in CMCB has impacted them thus far. They gladly received the critiques from ritzya and their fellow participants, and greatly improved their confidence and delivery. Loudoun Cares Executive Director, Andy Johnston was there to witness the enthusiasm and passion with which the kids communicated about their experiences. He was thrilled with the young people's progress from the beginning to the end of the workshop. And judging from the picture, the kids had way too much fun!
September 9,
2008: The Society
of Financial Service Professionals welcomed ritzya, the drama coach, to their New Member breakfast at the offices of MetLife in Falls Church, Virginia. In attendance were about 20 members, new and old. They saw first-hand how using vivid metaphors and props can make an ordinary black and white introduction transform into a memorable, compelling message, leaving the listener wanting to hear more.
July, 2008: ritzya, the drama coach,
recently spent the afternoon conducting a public speaking workshop for
a select group of talented teens. These young people are part of the Claude Moore Community Builders, a youth initiative of Loudoun Cares,
developing tomorrow's leaders for volunteerism and community
service. All of them experienced what it's like to speak with
passion and pizazz. Many of the students came out of their shell for
the first time. Here's what the kids themselves said about heir time
with ritzya:
"Ritzya, I wanted to share with you the
feedback from our
students. We have all of the teens fill out an evaluation at the end
of each day to see what they thought of it. Here are the comments the
kids wrote about you: *A lot of fun and very informative...* It was very interesting...* Cool. Fun. Informative...*Very fun & actually pretty enlightening...*She
was so confident. I'd love to work with her again...*She taught us many
great things that would be so helpful for us...*At first I was pretty
nervous to speak out, she did bring me out of my shell!...* Awesome. Loved it...* Keep her, she is crazy loud and fun!...*Liked getting her speech suggestions...*I enjoyed the suggestions from her and I feel that I will improve on public speaking...*She made me laugh and feel comfortable."
(go to the testimonial page to see comments from Danielle Gaquin, program coordinator.)
June, 2008: When it comes
to inspiration, information and fun, ritzya - the drama coach, definitely has
what it takes. ritzya brought her unique style and message to the
Loudoun Women Business Forum luncheon on June 5, 2008. Approximately 50 women came to hear ritzya speak about making your
message come alive - going from black and white to COLOR!
There was lots of
audience participation and collaboration using props and costumes, as well as networking with a whole new dramatic
twist. It was held at the National Conference Center, in Lansdowne, VA.
Here's a testimonial from Nina Flowers, Family Therapist and Counselor: "I attended a meeting that Ritzya presented at showing simple
ways to get people's attention about your company. Not only is Ritzya unique
and fun, her methods work. I have tried them and they are quite affective. She
is extremely creative and can focus on your specific line of work or
personality extremely well. If you want a fresh way to market yourself and your
business, I highly recommend her.
May, 2008: Ritzya recently presented a workshop on How to Deliver a Dramatically Effective Elevator
Speech, sponsored by the Small Business Development Center of Loudoun County. About 40 attendees got an energetic, enthusiastic crash course about
infusing fun and spontaneity in their info-mercials. It was so "out-of-the-box." Some comments afterwards: "Who knew a business seminar could be so much fun?" and "This was definitely time well spent. Very valuable information." For other worthwhile business seminars contact the sbdc@loudoun.org, or call them at 703-430-7222.
| Beverly Schrab of Your Newsy Notes, LLC,
dons a wig to demonstrate using props to be memorable. |
April, 2008: ritzya is excited to announce the launch of her new, weekly online radio broadcast: "Dramatically Speaking"
tip of the week. starting april 15th between 2 and 2:30 PM, and every
tuesday thereafter, ritzya will be a featured guest on
EventsInYourArea.com's weekly, online radio broadcast, hosted by none
other than, ring leader, Brandon Barr. tune in and plug in to find out all the exciting events going on in and around D.C.
Spring, 2008: the 2008 NCFCA (National
Christian Forensics and Communications Association) tournament season
is here! the NCFCA facilitates qualifying tournaments throughout the
country and an annual national tournament where students learn and
exercise analytical and oratorical
skills. ritzya is proud to announce that several of her students are
making it
to final rounds and going on to nationals! you go, guys and gals!
the impact speech and debate club in annapolis had its tournament from march 27 through march 29. the results were "dramatic". here are some photos of these talented, committed young people. i'm so proud of them; i could just burst.
ellie lewis and david pickering's 1st place duo: "Love is a Fallacy"
and
david with 1st place winner in humorous interp, stephen pimpo
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emily and david pickering flank cara lewis:
sweep 1st, 2nd and 3rd in EXPOS!!
| proud grandma jean stands between david & emily pickering, expos champs.
dwight and terry powell with shannon who won 1st place in dramatic interp with her piece: "Uncle Tom's Cabin." shannon came in 2nd place at the nationals in June!
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 emily pickering demonstrating her puppetry skills for her expos on the "history of tea"
| | |  12 year old ellie lewis is going to nationals in june. here she is working on her open interp from "pygmalion"
|  ellie lewis & emily pickering
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cara lewis doing her "expos" on the infallibility of the Bible.
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| courtney crandell, cara & ellie lewis, and shannon powell |  | | | |
 james reid rehearsing his 1st place original oratory entitled "enthusiasm."
|  champion, james reid
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 here's connor weisman on the left and tyler weisman, along with daniel weisinger on the right holding their well-deserved awards.
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December, 2007: ritzya was recently the
storyteller for the ritz carlton nutcracker "high teas." while 4 exquisite
student dancers from maryland youth ballet danced excerpts from the traditional nutcracker ballet (accompanied magnificently by live pianist
Arshok), ritzya brought the classic story of Christmas magic and dreams
of sugar plums to life as guests enjoyed the elegance and refinement of
high tea at the ritz.
CALL RITZYA TODAY! 703-887-1823 ritzya@thedramacoach.com
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