Actor Enrichment Workshops
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School Policy
These classes comprise the nucleus of the acting process and offer workshops in specific skills necessary for working in the industry. Whether taken together or consecutively, these workshops allow the actor to explore a complete process in analysis, thought, behavior, action, truth and emotional commitment.
Note: Not all workshops will be offered at all times. Students should refer to the current schedule of workshops for dates, times and locations.
Curriculum is centered on meeting the needs of the student who is working toward a professional career in acting. The Acting School reserves the right to combine, add, delete or change courses in order to support that approach.
The Acting School also reserves the right to make changes in the faculty, school calendar and in any general or specific school/academic policies.
All
programs, workshops and seminars offered at The Acting School are
intended for enrichment
and are not designed to qualify the participants for employment in the
entertainment industry.
The completion of any class at The Acting School is not a guarantee of
employment or representation.
Admission
Interview [Required for Conservatory
Programs and recommended for the Enrichment Workshops]
Applicants should be prepared to discuss their specific reasons for applying to The Acting School, career objectives and their level of commitment.
No prospective student will be denied admission on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual preference, dietary preference, political affiliation, agency affiliation, headshot photographer, physical disability or marital status.
Curriculum Current Schedule and Cost
NEW
WORKSHOP Intro
to Acting NEW
WORKSHOP
Acting
Dynamics •
This class will utilize exercises designed to help actors stay relaxed
and in the moment. By discovering positive energy within, students will gain confidence in making active and
positive choices by learning to recognize what works for them and why.
"Seeing" the work will lead the actor to focus on trusting their
unique acting instincts.
Acting Process
1: Action Exercises •
This class emphasizes the foundation of the acting
process necessary for working in all media. Whether it's theatre, film or TV,
the actor must make active, positive choices quickly. The concept of Polar
Action™ helps actors to refine their technique. The class is based mainly upon
the Meisner Technique, adapted for working more immediately. Exercises are
designed to make the actor more active and positive in making choices, keeping
the focus on strengthening the actors instincts. With use of the generic scenes,
actors will discover a more truthful impulse emphasizing imagination and
behaving honestly in every moment.
Acting Process
2: Physical Destination*
•
This class will utilize the exercises learned in
Acting Process 1 to reinforce the discipline necessary to repeat the work.
The "where" and "why" of the circumstances will be more
closely explored. Continued use of generic scenes adding common
circumstances will allow the actor to build the scenes from week to week.
Actors'
Lab*
•
Synthesis oriented workshop designed to
provide continuing practice of the acting process. Students will work at
their own pace investigating works of contemporary dramatic literature.
The student is also encouraged to bring monologue and cold reading material for
class feedback.
Audition for Camera/On Camera
•
Learn to make strong, active choices and apply them to the
camera. Discover how to use the frame line to your advantage, and why the
reaction shot is so important. The Class will take the actor from the first
audition to the final call back, from the smallest role to the leads.
Audition
Combo
•
Applying the principles of sound technique
the student will practice audition skills both on camera and off. [See Cold
Reading Technique and Audition for Camera]
Business Seminar
•
"Do's and don'ts" of the business. Learn about
Pictures & Resumes; Pursuing a Career,; and The
Importance of Training. Find out what is involved in Getting an Agent, when to
call Agents, and How To Find Work. Create an Audition Checklist. Learn what is
expected at an
Audition or a Booking. Find out about Set Protocol, Agency Fees, Getting Paid
and, the
Advantages or Disadvantages of joining a Union. All your
questions will be answered!
Camera
Technique Lab* •
From master shot to extreme close-up;
from physical action to the re-action, this class will explore the techniques of
active script analysis that make every shot powerful. Video taped scene study
will test the actor’s skill to create strong relationships within the demands
of out of sequence shooting, short scenes and hitting your mark.
Cold Reading
Foundation •
This class serves as a basis for the cold reading audition
technique. Learn the value of taking risks and making choices. Emphasizes the
fundamentals of Michael Shurtleff’s "13 Guideposts".
Cold Reading Technique
Continuing Study* •
This class will provide the actor an opportunity to practice
sound reading technique. Take risks and successfully make choices that work best
for you. Keep your skills fine tuned -- The more you do it the better you get! Space is reserved for those actors who have had
prior cold reading experience and/or training.
Students must have a sound understanding of Michael Shurtleff’s 13
Guideposts prior to enrolling in this workshop.
Commercial Technique/On Camera
•
A workshop designed to help the actor develop the skills
needed to find success in commercial auditions; the story board, improvisation,
and reading commercial copy. Explore specific exercises, which teach you the
techniques you must know to work on camera.
Discovery
and Awareness •
The exploration of a variety of designed to free
the actor to work with increased awareness and trust of his or her impulses,
individually and while working with fellow actors. Individual improvisational and sensory exploration exercises are utilized
to strengthen the actor's sense of “public solitude.” Exercises designed to create higher stakes, enhancing the actor's capacity
for self exposure and emotional commitment.
Foundations
of Voice & Body
Exercises explore the mechanical function of breath and sound. A
physical and vocal warm-up is developed to release tension and prepare the actor for
more complete expression.
Further vocal work focuses on applied diction through oral
interpretation. Physical exercises will be introduced to allow students awareness of the individual physical
choices.
Starting
with Improv •
Every actor needs this fundamental skill,
both for auditions and for a working process. Using the basic rules of traditional improvisation, this
class is designed to free the actor intellectually, emotionally and physically.
Students will sharpen listening skills, exercise creative thinking and learn not
to edit the thought process.
Improvisation
Continuing Study*
• [same as 2nd Half]
Building upon the skills learned in
Improvisation 1, the student will incorporate character and relationship work to
further strengthen their acting instincts. Some long form improv games
will lead to more sustained scene work.
Intro
to Acting
This is the workshop to start with if
you're not sure where to begin. The class will explore components of actor
training ~ body & voice, improvisational exercises, basic script analysis
and audition technique. Learn what is involved with the business, training
and the work of the actor.
Monologue
Seminar & Workshop •
One day Informational
seminar addressing the "Do's , Don'ts", and the "How-to's' of the Monologue
Audition. By adding the 2 session Monologue Workshop, actors have the
opportunity to develop a chosen monologue.
Movement
for the Actor
•
The Workshop focuses on the actor's
physical expression of thought and action, coordinating the body and mind to
make the total physical self more available. Exercises will prepare the
actor to strengthen awareness of individual physical choices.
Performance
Studio*
•
Synthesis oriented workshop designed to
provide an opportunity for students to test
their process. Scenes and monologues will be presented to faculty and
peers in an open evening of laboratory performance. The
class meets 4 out of 6 weeks, providing an orientation, 2 rehearsals, and 1
performance.
Teen
Actors' Workshops [Ages 12-14] •
These workshops emphasizes an instinctive approach to
the acting process. Class exercises are structured to help the group to
build a supportive environment of imagination and discovery. Students will
build self-confidence as they learn to collaborate within a group
atmosphere. Students will work on camera and off camera as they explore
the world of the actor. Workshops may include a showcase for parents at
the Instructors discretion.
Next
Scheduled Workshop • June 7th • 12 - 3PM:
On-Camera Workshop that covers the basics of an audition
for a TV, Commercial/Film. Learn How to Find Your Mark, and Slate, along with
the Basic Handling of Sides. We will also do some Cold Reading and BASIC Improv
for the Camera.
** Parents are welcomed the last 20 min of
the workshop to see playback on camera
This class is limited
to 10 students (ages 12-15)
Please call the office to register, payment for this class must be paid in
advance, in order to reserve your space.
*Admission to these workshops require previous training and/or experience and the permission of the instructor. An interview and/or an audition may also be required.
Click here to go to printable Policy Statement & Pre Enrollment Form
Payment may be made in the form of cash, money order, personal check or checks drawn on credit cards.
The student must be paid in full prior to attending classes. The Acting School will accept payments, known as the "Pay Ahead Program". Operating much like a lay-a-way plan, the student makes payments toward the purchase of the class. Under no circumstance will the student be allowed to attend prior to payment in full. The Acting School will offer a discount for any workshop that is paid prior to one week in advance of the start of the first meeting of the workshop. The discounts will be advertised along with the price of the workshop.
A full refund will be made to the student should The Acting School cancel the workshop. A partial refund equaling the amount paid minus an administrative fee of a 15% or $100 [whichever is less] will be made, should the student withdraw from the program 72 hours prior to the start of the first meeting of the workshop. The student will receive a partial credit for the amount paid minus an administrative fee of a 15% or $100 [whichever is less] if withdrawing at least 24 hours prior to the start of the first meeting of the workshop. If the student does not notify The Acting School within the 24 hour period, the student will not receive credit nor refund. This policy also applies to "Pay Ahead" plan participants. Students receiving credit may apply the credit to another workshop. The Acting School will not refund the difference, however The Acting School will re-credit the amount of the difference. The student will have 1 year to redeem the credit, after which time it will be considered void. In the extreme event that The Acting School ceases operation before which the student has redeemed the credit, The Acting School will make every effort to notify the student of the company’s closing and offer a final notice to redeem the credit.
All Weekend or One day special Seminars, Workshops and Master Classes require that payment in full be made 72 hours prior to the Workshop.