CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Acting for Film and TV (I) will help students learn the basic skills and fundamentals that an actor needs to work successfully on camera. Students will explore different elements of on-camera acting, learn about being on set, begin to develop a personal prep process, and gain experience in front of the camera. Scene work will be recorded and viewed to help students understand how their work comes across onscreen, and to become more comfortable and confident with the medium.

Acting for TV & Film II is conducted in the James Dean Soundstage, utilizing high-definition film equipment to capture students as they gain invaluable experience performing on-camera. This class focuses solely on on-camera scene work, with a minimum of four scenes per student with single and multi-cam shots and a variety of shooting locations. (Second year only.) 

Comic Improv is the ability to think on one’s feet and to make bold, specific choices in the moment, without fear of getting it “wrong” are essential tools for every actor. More and more, directors are looking for actors who possess a solid understanding of the fundamentals of improve; this class will provide students with exactly that. Through a number of games, exercises and improvised scenes students will learn to say “yes and…” the ideas of their scene partners, identify “the game,” and create dynamic scenes.

Improvisation provides students with a powerful acting tool that helps explore material on a spontaneous and collaborative level. Students delve into a diverse range of unscripted scenes aimed to stimulate the imagination and engage in the impulses of discovery. 

Improvisation II builds upon previous work and challenges the students in a variety of new situations to further develop their improvisational skills. Improvisations will challenge the actors’ personal connection with a topic of their choice, while interacting with basic scenic elements found in dramatic literature and then given an in-depth evaluation. (Second year only.)

The study of scenic structure, rhythms, language and plot that the writer uses. An exploration of character: language, given circumstances, actions, and obstacles.
This class guides students to a deeper grasp of the complexities of a scene by examining the dramatic elements of the material, as well as learning stage terminology/directions.

Students learn how to find an authentic and deeply personal connection to their character by the exploration of emotional memories through sensory work. The focus of the class is to guide students on how they can effectively explore their personal experiences for every role that they take on. In this process the students will explore place, relationships and need. (Second year only.)

AOS Year 2. The acting work of each scene will be explored within each class–intention, the creation of the subworld, moment to moment work, the six steps, and the motivated physical blocking that comes from that exploration; additionally, each actor also will get the opportunity to build a basic dynamic directing vocabulary for visual storytelling. It should give each student a hands-on guide to shaping and growing their own performance through both the rehearsal and shooting process.

AOS Year 2. An advanced 12-week class for actors to do intensive prep and rehearsal on scenes that will ultimately lead to shooting fully explored and camera-ready work. The class is a continuation of Actors Directing Actors and will build on the experience and vocabulary in both acting and directing first explored in the previous class. The intention of the class is additionally to explore how you create a powerful and fruitful collaborative working relationship between actor and director.

Acting for TV/Film 2 (Working with Directors) offers practical tools for actors to successfully work with professional directors. The class will feature three professional directors each highlighting a different genre to help students bridge the gap between their training and the professional industry. Students will apply skills learned in Acting for TV/Film I

Film Fighting I demonstrates various styles of martial arts and how to maintain safety in the midst of full-contact action. By examining their work on camera, students discover how to transcend fight choreography in order to convey a story physically and express themselves through movement.

Film Fighting II challenges the actor to grow mentally, physically and spiritually through intensive training in self-defense and advanced fighting techniques. Jumping, acrobatic movements and weapons are incorporated into the stunt choreography. This class emphasizes fundamental combat skills while preparing actors for filming a complete fight sequence.

Method Movement (2 M’s) develops the actor’s physical instrument in a series of exercises that promote fluidity, balance and strength, in order to follow physical impulses that are activated by the character’s function in telling the story. Instead of pantomime, the class explores and creates symbolic meaning of the story through physical emblems. The actor explores his or her own physical awareness and how it shifts from moment to moment by the intrusion of another character—the shadow. The exercises in this class are valuable and can be used in any area of the actor’s training.

Movement 1 is an introduction to movement and relaxation techniques based on the principles of the Alexander Technique. Students will learn fundamental Alexander Technique principles and apply them to their everyday life, as well as their actor training.

The Alexander Technique is an education process of teaching yourself to recognize patterns of habitual tension that interfere with performance; it helps to change those habits which may be causing stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Students will apply the principles of the technique to the craft of acting by exploring warm-ups, character development, efficient movement, audition anxiety, and partner dynamics. REQUIRED TERM 1 (FULL-TIME STUDENTS)

Movement 2 will continue the exploration of Alexander’s principles as they apply to different aspects of the actor’s craft. The class will delve deeper into the work of coordinating movement and release to create authenticity and truthfulness in the actor’s work. The advanced students will continue to apply the Alexander Technique to scenes, monologues, songs, and stage movement. The class will continue to build the foundation of the actor’s awareness of space and self. The class will be a combination of group work and individual tutorials.

Movement 3 will work on creating release in our whole self (mind & body) while also strengthening our kinesthetic awareness of the space around us. We will work on developing partner and ensemble dynamics. Our group work in class will be a laboratory for physical expression and ensemble building exercises.

Tai Chi is an ancient form of Chinese meditation based on the Taoist principles of balance and harmony that Lee Strasberg believed to be an important part of Method work. Students enhance their concentration, will, and awareness through the practice of controlling breath, posture, and movement. Emphasis is placed on learning how to be “present and responsive” to stimuli. (Fall, Winter Spring)

Theatre Dance focuses on all aspects of musical theatre dance and performance with an emphasis on learning and performing contrasting Broadway choreographic styles and staging, enabling students to build on performance and adaptation of varied dance styles. Classes begin with work on basic technique incorporating Ballet and Jazz with an emphasis on building strength and flexibility. Use of the body through space, anatomy, posture, stance and technique are stressed.

Animal Exercise builds observational skills and expressive habits through rigorous physical characterization. The exercises make the actors aware of their body and how to use it in an unaccustomed ways through the final portrayal of the animal. (Available after 6 months of study.)

Voice 1 primarily explores the basics of Fitzmaurice Voicework®: specifically Destructuring and Re-structuring. De-structuring is the process of letting go of any unnecessary tension which inhibits the breath and voice, through Tremorwork® and adapted yoga positions. Through De-structuring, students explore spontaneity of breath, deep release of tension and a greater awareness of the body.

Re-structuring is the process of activating the intentional breath for communication that is free, yet focused. Students learn which muscles in the body consciously engage in order to connect breath with voice, resulting in a voice that is communicative, imaginative, and able to meet vocal demands without strain. Material is explored through play, partnered work, observation and discussion. REQUIRED TERM 1 (FULL-TIME STUDENTS)

Voice 2 builds on the basic understanding Fitzmaurice Voicework® as experienced in Level One, while exploring new aspects of the work for creative inspiration and character development. Students play with nuances of voice/speech, and find deeper release of tension. Re-structuring focuses more on its application, especially during heightened states of emotion or stress, but also in more subtle communication. Partnered work will be conducted on a deeper level, and play observation and discussion continues to be an integral part of each class. Specific classes are also dedicated to individual/scene work. 

Voice 3 will be a continuation of the work explored in Levels 1 and 2. Students will explore deeper release and awareness in the destructuring process, as well as further applications of restructuring. Students will have more individual opportunities to work on text and have feedback. Additional focus will be given to speechwork. The voicework taught in this class will be the destructuring/restructuring techniques of Catherine Fitzmaurice.

Vocal Basics is for the beginner singer or anyone who wants to firm up their vocal foundation. Through a variety of vocal exercises, songs and sight singing / ear training techniques, students will get individual and group instruction to improve their vocal technique, pitch and musicality. (on rotation)

Dialects teaches both American and international accents, the phonetic alphabet, and the formation of sounds. Students learn the process to master the skills needed to fulfill the demands of a character’s specific voice. (Fall & Spring)

Standard American Dialect, or Accent Reduction is designed for those who speak English as a second language and natives with a prominent regional accent. Students are instructed on how to be understood in Standard American English by solving speech problems and readjusting vocal habits through practical vocal exercises. (Required if deemed necessary by Admin/Instructors)

Singing introduces the beginning steps towards developing a solid vocal technique. Students will explore the pitfalls of singing, explore ways to integrate good technique within all music genres, and explore ways to maintain good breath and voice in every performance situation.

Each week, the class will focus on vocal exercises, assigned repertoires, listening and discussing their instruments, and codifying their sounds with their muscular activity and discuss each artist’s own musicality and solidifies and integrates healthy vocal technique for every performance situation. 

Studying origins and theory of Lee Strasberg’s work from his teacher Richard Boleslavski’s as found in his book: Acting The First Six Lessons. Each week will be an in-depth discussion of 6 main lessons for the Actor: relaxation, concentration, imagination, observation, collaboration & rhythm

Character development will delve into the exploration of the physicalization of the character through mannerisms, voice, rhythm, and tempo. Students will develop a solid technique from which to build a character by utilizing Method exercises including Painting, Animal, Emotional Memory and Private Moment. Students will learn how to make informed and creative choices and gain the tools to better engage their impulses and imaginations to analyze text thoroughly and accurately resulting in the ability to create rich and believable characters.

Film History provides students with a broad overview of the history of motion pictures including major developments, movements and advancements. The course emphasizes an understanding of the historical, cultural, commercial and aesthetic contexts of film, but also great Method acting performances and the role that Method acting has had in film development. (Fall & Spring)

Script Analysis shows students how to understand material in more depth by developing a character; applying analysis to the work of a scene and integrating Sensory work to either a play or screenplay. The approaches learned on breaking down and analyzing material as developed by Constantin Stanislavsky and Elia Kazan are the basis for the class.

In TV History, we will look at the evolution of television both as an art form and as a cultural institution. By viewing and discussing select programs and episodes from across the history of television, students will gain an understanding of the impact television has had on American society (and vice-versa). Our exploration will focus on historical context and social relevance as well as on the craft of making television. We’ll look to connect practical and artistic choices to the feelings a show can leave us with, encouraging students to become critically informed artists, and media makers. Shows we will cover include The Twilight Zone, I Love Lucy, Star Trek, and The Sopranos.

Pulitzer Prize Plays discovers how to read and analyze plays as literature from an actor’s perspective focusing on only plays that have been awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Each term will focus on 4-5 plays in which students will discuss the social relevance, themes, personal impact, author’s intention, structure, tone and rhythm of the play. Students will discover how research and sensory work would apply to their own preparation of the play.

Lee Strasberg Legacy examines the legendary teacher, Lee Strasberg, through exclusive audiotapes, archival footage, and video recordings teaching the fundamentals of the work: Sensory, Relaxation, Scene Work, Song & Dance, etc. Students participate in interactive discussions and physical demonstrations to expand their understanding of how Method acting is relevant to our times and their work.

Theatre History is a survey of the history of the theatre from primitive origins to modern times. Through the use of historical documents, contemporary writings, and illustrations of architecture and costumes, the major periods of theatrical history are seen from an artistic and cultural point of view. Theatre as a cultural force, set in its historical context, is a major theme of this class. Theatre will be explored as reflection of the time and culture that produced it. The course will examine the pivotal theatre artists, plays and movements that shaped the history of the art form. (Required for One-Year & Two-Year Conservatory.) (Winter, Spring, Summer)

Theatre History II will focus on the formation of The Group Theater, its development, purpose and accomplishments. It will hone in on the founding members. Instruction includes, but is not limited to: lectures, class participation, research, Q &A, audio/visual presentations and acting exercises. (Offered on rotation. Required for Two-Year Conservatory.) (Fall, Spring)

Shakespeare offers students an introduction to Shakespeare’s language, play and characters. Students work together dissecting his language in a variety of group exercises to extract the emotional meanings behind the poetic form and achieve a clear understanding of what is being said. Students have the opportunity to work on several monologues, sonnets and scenes in this introductory level class.

Playwright Spotlight explores the work of pivotal playwrights throughout history. Each session highlights the work of a different playwright such as Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekhov, Clifford Odets, and Sam Shepard. Students learn about the author’s works while focusing on one play—doing in-depth character work as they read and analyze the play, as well as practicing cold readings. The course allows students to not only understand the historical value of the author, but to develop essential skills of an actor such as cold reading, characterizations and performance.

Most artists’ voices in the country are underrepresented. There is only one group that is readily visible and that is Caucasian males. In this class, we will explore the extraordinary Other voices in playwriting that have been recognized with Pulitzer Prize awards and nominations, circulating through works from women, Black, Latinx, Asian, Native American, and LGBTQ+ playwrights. 

The purpose of this course is to discover how to read and analyze plays both as literature and from an actor’s perspective. We will be exploring each playwright’s intention and each play’s structure, tone, style, language, and relevance. We will be discussing how to craft your own personal connection with the material and characters. 

Audition Technique helps students gain the knowledge necessary to successfully audition for TV, film and commercial roles. From obtaining audition material and understanding specific audition information to preparing for and executing your own self-tape auditions. Students develop a technique that will foster consistency in auditions allowing their personality and work to stand out from the crowd and increasing your chances of making a memorable impression on those who view their work. Using real-world audition breakdowns and sides, students will learn how to critically analyze audition material from an acting standpoint creating the opportunity for a more grounded performance and a personal connection to text, character and scene partners. We will identify and discuss the differences and similarities of in-person auditions and callbacks from both the standpoint of your preparation as an actor and the expectations of Casting Directors. (Available after 6 months of study.)(Available after 6 months of study.) (Fall & Spring)

Business of Acting focuses on providing a road map for actors to pursue their careers professionally once they complete their training by teaching them standard practices, needs & tools that all actors must use in order to become a working actor. This includes headshots, resumes, creating profiles on actor sites, websites, agents vs. managers, etc.

Commercials provides the techniques to book TV commercials: how to navigate the audition, what to expect on the callback, and the importance of set etiquette. Students will also learn many elements of the union contract, improv for auditions, eating, drinking and handling a label on camera, how to breakdown a commercial script, and how to keep your head on straight when dealing with rejection and after you achieve success. (Fall & Spring)

Craft to Career provides a personalized assessment of where students are now and how to put themselves on the career path that is uniquely theirs. Actors spend a great deal of time and effort working on developing certain characteristics in their craft: being expressive, staying present, establishing relationships, and inspiring themselves instead of just hoping for the best.

The same qualities that go into being a successful actor can and should be harnessed in pursuit of one’s career. Your craft feeds your career, and vice versa. Students will learn to express themselves with representatives, casting directors, producers and directors, to be true to their talent, to understand how others perceive them and to take responsibility for their own career. (Second year only.) (Fall & Winter)

Self Tape is structured to mirror real world self-taping scenarios. Students will receive audition sides via email and it will be their duty to use the skills learned in class to record their self-tapes and submit them. Students will learn how to create an environment conducive for taping in their home (lighting, sound, etc. with iPhone/camera), edit their tapes and export for submission. We will focus on finding a tape aesthetic that best showcases the actor and allows them to “pop” off the screen.

There will also be heavy focus on how to drop into a visceral performance and create a fresh and unique take on the material.
This class will focus on a brick by brick approach to dispel any mysteries surrounding self tapes and give every actor the tools necessary to find a real-world process that is right for them.

Triple Threat explores the fast-paced process of building and creating a ‘finalized’ production for television or film, treating the class as a Workshop. The “Workshop” is based on the proficiency of using movement/dance, acting and singing/lip-sync’ing, in other words—being the triple threat. The final class will include a performance of all pieces learned throughout the term.

Theatre Production I focuses on technical terminology used within a theatre production, lighting and sound basics, stage managing basics, set and production design basics, and stage makeup and costuming basics. As actors, it is important to understand how a show works from beginning to end, and this course is designed to lay the groundwork for Theatre Production II. (AOS only)

Theatre Production II is a production course. Students will develop an appropriate play or original work (chosen by the instructor / director) into a culminating performance. Students will be responsible for staging, lighting, costume and make-up, as well as promotion using the knowledge gained in Theatre Production I. (AOS only)

Storytelling and Monologues helps you find your artistic voice as an actor and writer by revealing the hidden truths in established monologues and creating your own through improvisation, experimentation and written exercises that you can put on stage or film. This is a production course.

Scene Study for TV – Comedy takes the concepts of Script Analysis and applies them to comedic TV sides. Focusing on the History and evolution of Comedy TV then playing with Multi-Cam scenes (Family, friend, workplace), Single Cam (breaking down story vs. documentary style), Sad Com TV, with a real world Final of bringing in outside people working in comedy and see if the students can Identify the script they are given. Timing, finding jokes, relationship, and character structure in the relationship to comedy.

Scene Study for TV – Drama takes the concepts of Script Analysis and applies them to dramatic TV sides. Work with the students on Procedural vs Relationship Drama and getting detail work on Crime, Legal, Political, Romance, thriller dramas in the Procedural and Relationship drama. Students would get to work on high drama, playing with language, physicality in scenes (action, intimate, restrained) proximity. Learning to create the style of show that is required by show. With a real world final having students perform with a working actor in a chemistry read.

AOS. Reel Production is an AOS production course. The course starts with a branding workshop, then original scenes will be written and then filmed with ReelArc Studios following the branding. The class will culminate with a 2-3 minute scene for their reel working on set with professional directors.

This class is designed as an introduction to voiceover and voice acting. Students will perform voiceover copy live in class to better understand the process of working in a studio setting and making adjustments on the spot.

Topics covered will include audio equipment and creating an at-home studio; selecting material and understanding type; voiceover auditions and cold reads; voice acting for commercials, animation, narration and more; and creating a voiceover demo.

This class will focus on technical terminology used within a film production, lighting and sound basics, storyboard basics, set and production design basics, makeup and costuming basics and camera technique basics. As actors, it is important to understand how filming works from beginning to end, and this course is designed to lay the groundwork for Film Production II. (AOS priority, Spring only)

 This class is designed to lay the groundwork for Short Film Production 2: Production. It will focus on technical terminology used within a film production, and on casting, budgeting and scheduling, lighting and sound basics, storyboard basics, set and production design basics, make-up and costuming basics and camera technique basics while working through an original script(s) and the pre-production process. (meets 6 weeks 2x/week)

Students will develop original short film(s) chosen by the Production Committee. Roles will be audition-based. Students will be responsible for lighting and sound, costume and make-up, and camera operation in collaboration with hired professionals within the industry. The goal of the class is to produce short films ready to go into the Festival circuit.Class enrollment will include those cast for acting roles within the film, and other film production crew positions (editors, producers, production designer, grip/electric, cinematography, etc.) Invite/audition only

This class meets for 6 weeks (2x/week) taking students through exercises and development of a short (8-10 page) screenplay, to be production ready. Students will come up with a concept for their film, go through ideation with support, evolving their outline and eventually writing a shootable screenplay for their short film. Along the way, we will be looking at the hero’s journey, building a narrative, creating memorable characters with clear intentions and choices, writing memorable scenes rich with subtext, as we look at visual storytelling, montage, transitions, and dramaturgy.

Cinematography and Editing is a 12-week course designed to teach you to hone your abilities on the other side of the camera. These include: lighting, shooting and editing quality self tapes, reels and films. You will begin to develop marketable skills to have in addition to acting.

In this class we will learn how to plan, shoot, and edit: self tapes, silent scenes, and scenes with dialogue. Throughout the course you will shoot a self tape on your own, a silent scene in small teams, and a scene with dialogue in small teams.

Students will, through instruction, shooting and editing a series of exercises and scenes on their smartphone, build their directing muscles and knowledge of the director’s role in prep, production and post. Emphasis on visualization of scripts, shaping the script to make it production-ready, setting up a successful casting session, scouting locations, working with actors in rehearsal, building your directing vocabulary, shaping performance, creating shot lists and storyboards, scheduling, understanding flow of day, efficient use of time, learning and executing set protocols, working with cinematographers and editors.
Additionally directors will spend some specific time on cinematography and editing. (Winter)

Filmmaking for Actor will empower actors to write, prep, shoot and edit your own short films, to test your ideas, to develop your voice, to write and rewrite, to consider production issues, production design, shooting, etc., to see the shooting period as another rewrite, and to do the final rewrite as you edit.

The course will not focus on the technology but rather on emotional storytelling and how to capture good storytelling imaginatively. Students will each write a short script with limited production challenges, prep and cast the script, and work either alone or within their circle to shoot their projects.