The School: Classes

Ongoing Scene Study/Exercise*
(Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels)

*Voted Favorite Scene Study Class- 2009 Backstage Reader's Choice Award*

Instructors: Terry Schreiber, Julie Garfield, Peter Jensen, Susan Pilar, Pam Scott, Tracy Trevett

Scenes are explored for clarity of events, individual objectives, beats and intentions. An emphasis is placed on character behavior, activities, inner monologue and emotional life. Personal, thorough and supportive critiques are given of each individual's work. Exercises are used to help actors explore a character's physical and emotional life, increase relaxation and concentration, and open up the actor's instrument and imagination. An audition is required for all scene study classes. Each class meets once a week.

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Beginning Acting Technique

Instructors: Pamela Scott, Robert Verlaque

The purpose of these classes are to prepare you for scene study. Classes are structured for beginning actors and actors who wish to brush up on their basic technique. They focus on teaching the basic tools of acting, utilizing physical and vocal warm ups, relaxation and concentration exercises, theatre games, improvisation, sensory work, and physical conditions. All exercise - no scene study. An interview is required for all technique classes.

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On-Camera 1

Instructor: Peter Miner

This class is for actors new to creating a role or those who want a first experience of working on-camera. Within the framework of behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances, this course will explore character creation, needs, obstacles, and being in the moment. The focus will be on relaxation, listening, responding truthfully, and trusting that if you have prepared well, you can just let things happen – you don’t need to make things happen. Actors work on camera every class. This class has a 12 student maximum. It can be repeated. For current students, a teacher recommendation is required. For new students, an interview is required.

Wednesdays 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
July 8 - August 12, 2009
Fee (6 weeks): $420 ($355 if taken with scene study)

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On-Camera 2

Instructor: Peter Miner

This class is for actors with previous training. The first of the six classes focuses on auditioning for the camera. The remaining five sessions are on-camera scene study classes shot in both close-ups and wider angles.

During these scenes we will work on listening, thinking, being in the moment, and stripping away anything done to make sure the audience "gets it". The emphasis will be on truthfulness, simplicity, specific behavior and learning to welcome the camera, not fear it.

Each member of the class will work on camera during every class. This class has a 12 student maximum. It can be repeated. For current students, completion of On-Camera 1 or a teacher recommendation is required. For new students, an audition is required.

Tuesdays 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
July 14- August 18, 2009
Fee (6 weeks): $420 ($355 if taken with scene study)

Professional Film Auditioning

Instructor: Ellen Parks

This 3-week workshop will introduce actors to the film industry on a practical level and help actors successfully navigate in the professional world. The class will consist of three three-hour sessions, with on-camera demonstrations that duplicate the enviroment and demands of the film industry and demystify the casting process. Actors will experience the professional context for auditioning and clarify the acting style required for television and film, using material from produced screenplays. For actors with previous training; teacher recommendation required.

Mondays 7:00-10:00pm
July 20 - August 4, 2009
Fee (3 weeks): $275 ($235 w/ scene study)

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Audition Workshop

Instructor: Susan Pilar

This workshop is created to help committed trained actors who yearn to bridge the gap from the craft of acting to the business of getting the job!

Regardless of how reputable your training program or people that you have studied with, if you're not taught how to execute your technique during the audition process, no one will know it's there. Many well-trained actors do not know how to make specific choices for an audition. The actor locks up and forgets what they have learned, eventually giving up.

This workshop will help free and empower the actor during the audition process. It will trigger one's curiosity instead of one's fear. The actor will come to the audition knowing how to activate material quickly and instinctively while making informed choices and provide a set of tools at each juncture of the auditioning process.You will be presented with many audition scenarios from prepared monologues- to cold reads- and prepared scenes. So that you can:

• Avoid the "hit or miss" syndrome, jumping from one audition to another just hoping for the best.
  
• Reduce your anxiety level by providing you with concrete tools you need to prepare and deliver as dynamic an audition as your ability and the audition will allow.
  
• Learn how to support yourself physically, psychologically, and artistically.

Your power as an actor is your individual creativity and your ability to deliver a well prepared, lively audition that reveals your potential for playing the role. Once you realize that there is a balance of power between the actor and director, you might start looking forward to the next audition! Interview required.

Wednesdays 6:30-10:30
TBA
Fee: $325 ($285 w/ scene study)

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Industry Mondays

Throughout the year, the studio will select Agents and Casting Professionals to work with our Actors to learn more of the ins and outs of the business of auditioning and the opportunity to work with professionals who are currently submitting and casting. Our objective is to advance our actors ability to work in this highly competitive market.
These classes are open to TSS actors who have had sufficient training to be auditioning in the business. A teacher recommendation is required.

Instructor: TBA
Dates & Times TBA

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The Art & Science of Commercial Acting

Instructor: John Howard Swain

This five-week workshop provides each student, whether a novice to the business or a seasoned actor, with a set of skills that will take the guesswork out of the commercial audition process. Each class is geared to build the actor's confidence by turning the audition into a series of simple exercises. You will learn how to initiate a truthful relationship with the camera, how to analyze copy, how to create "a moment before," how to establish your enviroment, how to handle the "dreaded interview," how to tag the spot and so much more.

The class is designed to make sure you do your best work at the audition, not on the subway on your way home!

July 8 - August 5, 2009
Wednesdays 2:00-5:00pm
Fee: $295 ($245 if taken with scene study)

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Shakespeare

Instructor: Page Clements

The demands of successfully interpreting Shakespeare's characters and text are fully explored in body, voice, and speach in this 2 month workshop. The goal is to develop the actor's skill to speak automatically, clearly, and persuasively and craft a truthful and compelling performance.

Two plays will be studied extensively: one comedy and one tragedy. Each actor will be assigned scenes, monlogues, and sonnets throughout the 8 weeks. You will finish the class knowing how to research Shakespeare's plays, how to scan iambic pentameter, find emotional cues, unlock text, and use your voice to its full potential.

The class teaches us about knowing so deeply what the words mean, that we can communicate that meaning to anyone. Whether you are just discovering Shakespeare, looking to strengthen your acting and vocal skills, or are simply eager to learn more about his life, his works, and the times, in which he lived, this class is for you! Interview or teacher recommendation required.

Wednesdays 1:30-5:30
June 24 - August 12, 2009
Fee (8 classes): $530 ($420 if taken with scene study)

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Body Dynamics™

Instructor: Carol Reynolds

Body Dynamics™ works with the body's muscular defense system in an organized, practical approach to body awareness. It's designed to free the actor's body to its full range of emotional experience and to change energy-draining habits into energy-conserving behavior.

Thursdays 6:30 - 10:00 p.m.
September 17 - December 10, 2009
Fee (12 week session): $590 ($525 with Scene Study)

Advanced Body Dynamics™

Advanced Body Dynamics is a special one time only 6-week summer workshop open to those actors who have completed Body Dynamics in the 12-Week Course or the 6-Week Conservatory. It is an opportunity to go deeper into the work and experience a more personalized curriculum to support the ever evolving self.

Thursdays 6:30 - 10:00p.m.
July 9 - August 13, 2009
Fee (6 week session): $300

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Vocal Production

*Voted Favorite Vocal Coach- 2009 Backstage Reader's Choice Award*

Instructor: Page Clements

This class with Page Clements introduces the actor to a range of physical exercises to strengthen breath control and support and relax the throat and upper body. The focus is to develop a stronger vocal tone, resonation, and release of useless tension. Page will help each actor feel the voice "drop in" to the body and connect to the emotional life of any character.  The proper use of warm-ups and how to structure them to fit any time frame is also emphasized. Open to all levels.  No audition required.

Thursdays 6:00 - 8:00pm
Fee: $165/month (4 classes)

Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Fee: $165/month (4 classes)

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Dialect Class

*Voted Favorite Dialect Coach- 2009 Backstage Reader's Choice Award*

Instructor: Page Clements

This class focuses on training the student actor to master dialects for stage & screen. The specific dialect taught will change with every five-week cycle. We will explore Standard British (RP), Cockney, Irish (Belfast & Dublin), Scottish as well as various American accents. A phonetic approach is used to strengthen the ear and provide the actor with the tools necessary to approach future work independent of the classroom. Space is limited to 12. Open to all levels. No audition required.

Dialect: Irish
Fridays 1:00 - 3:00 p.m
May 29 - June 26, 2009
Fee (5 weeks): $185.00

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Private Coaching

Instructors: Page Clements, Julie Garfield, Peter Jensen, Lynn Singer

These one-hour private sessions give the actor an opportunity to work on material that cannot be covered in a scene study class: monologues, upcoming auditions, etc. They are provided for actors who are unable to attend a regular weekly class and need an intensive, personal one-on-one experience.

Scheduling and arrangements are made directly with the teacher.

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