Written by Anna Grace Griffin
One of the most thrilling, and sometimes inconvenient, parts of being an artist is traveling around the world for projects. With the industry becoming more global and taking you to places you never thought you would go, staying connected to your craft has never been more important. Here are five ways to continue learning and keep your actor training sharp while you are shooting on location abroad, cast in a touring or regional production, trying out living in a new city, or simply taking a trip.
Take Virtual Acting Classes
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (LSTFI) offers a variety of virtual class options that are open to students worldwide. Classes include Method 101, a foundational course aimed at introducing The Method, as well as Method in Focus, a class that explores a key facet of Method Acting or the industry every quarter. Online classes are held live on Zoom, allowing for real-time interaction, scene work, and personalized feedback while offering the flexibility for actors to train from any location. These classes offer a secure approach to sharpening your skills and keeping you accountable. The best part? Since you can access these classes from anywhere, you get to connect and network with other students from everywhere.
Join Local Workshops
LSTFI offers workshops and intensive training globally, allowing students from all over the world to train and study The Method. These workshops provides an in-person training experience unlike any other on-campus experience. Upcoming workshops will be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia; Berlin, Germany; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Warsaw, Poland this summer.
Find Plays at Local Libraries
Reading new and old plays is one of the best ways to strengthen your skills as an artist and keep a pulse on what’s trending in the industry. Finding local libraries and book stores for plays not only deepens your knowledge of new work, but also allows for an outing to see the culture of the city. Furthermore, you may discover a new place to curl up with a play. Some historic picks abroad include The Royal Court Library in London and The National Library of France in Paris.
Read the Blog
Great job! You are already staying connected to LSTFI by keeping up with the blog. The Institute features all sorts of content, including alumni news, faculty news, audition tips, industry advice, and ways to connect with other actors. Reading and learning about LSTFI at large can help grow your sense of community within the industry. The blog also showcases a variety of contributors and writers, each adding unique perspectives on The Method and the entertainment industry.
Explore & Take in Life
See new plays in new languages. In basements. Concert houses. On the street. Watch dance shows, stand-up comedians, and guitar players in the park. Go to local cinemas, and see a film you haven’t heard about or in a language you don’t know. Go to museums, gardens, and parties. Talk to someone who leads a completely different life from your own and learn as much about them as you can. Take a breath. Sometimes finding some distance from the work reveals how important it is, and reminds you how much you love what you do.