Registration

Instructor: Laura Leyva
Location: Studio E

Stella Adler Academy Technique I: Film, television and theatre are all collaborative efforts, and actors are the “doers” in each of these forms. In this very practical, yet creatively inspiring class, all concepts are made “doable” through the use of the actor’s imagination. Some of the concepts that will be covered and applied are:

1. Understanding of self through the art form of acting
2. The actor’s relationship to words and feelings
3. Physical and mental relaxation within the circumstances
4. Creative Imagination as a major acting tool
5. Application of the three levels of justification
6. Non-verbal expression through character behavior
7. Relationship with partners
8. Mental actions and their four specific types

This class is not a beginning acting class, it is an introduction to the very freeing and applicable Stella Adler Technique.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: None

Instructor: Victoria Kemsley
Location: Studio E

Stella Adler Academy Technique I: Film, television and theatre are all collaborative efforts, and actors are the “doers” in each of these forms. In this very practical, yet creatively inspiring class, all concepts are made “doable” through the use of the actor’s imagination. Some of the concepts that will be covered and applied are:

1. Understanding of self through the art form of acting
2. The actor’s relationship to words and feelings
3. Physical and mental relaxation within the circumstances
4. Creative Imagination as a major acting tool
5. Application of the three levels of justification
6. Non-verbal expression through character behavior
7. Relationship with partners
8. Mental actions and their four specific types

This class is not a beginning acting class, it is an introduction to the very freeing and applicable Stella Adler Technique.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: None

Instructor: Tim McNeil
Location: Studio B

The goal of technique is to enable the actor to create specific characters in specific circumstances and through those characters to communicate the themes of the play. Through Stella Adler’s imagination work we will give the actors the tools to create the background of their characters. This is accomplished through specific exercises designed to strengthen the actors imagination and allowing them to build specific background for whatever character they are given. The technique teaches actors how to be moved by the circumstance and apply that work to their characters. This is the essence of Stella Adler’s work: the communication of the play through specific characters in specific circumstances.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I

Instructor: Bonnie McNeil
Location: Studio A

Technique III explores in depth the essentials of the Stella Adler Technique. Building a character, living in the given circumstances of a play, and playing actions and objectives are among the exercises that are covered. Translating the technique into a usable process through monologues and scenes is the central focus of the class. Pre-requisite for the class is completion of Adler Technique I and II.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I & II

Instructor: Judy Kain
Location: Studio A

An introductory course for commercial acting focusing on technique for commercial auditions. Students will navigate the five types of commercial auditions and work on camera every week, applying these techniques using actual commercial copy. The course covers slating, personality-style auditions, MOS, Improv for commercials, spokesperson auditions, and group-scene auditions. Emphasis will be placed on making specific choices, bringing your personality to the audition, and camera technique. The course will culminate in practical ways to approach booking commercials.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.

Instructor: Diego Parada
Location: Studio E

Through the use of theatre games, improvisational exercises, and scene work, the actor learns to leap past boundaries and move forward into strong choices in role playing, characterization, and interrelating. It is a class to explore freedom of imagination and experience acting.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.

Instructors: Roy Johns
Location: Dance

Embark on a journey into the world of physical storytelling and circus arts by stepping out of your head and into your body. This course introduces students to the technical precision of juggling, magic, stilt-walking, and hula-hooping, as well as games and exercises grounded in the traditions of Commedia dell’arte and the physical comedy mastery of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

The curriculum focuses on mask work across three stages:

• The Full-Face Mask: Crafting a custom mask to explore emotion through pure physical expression.
• The Half-Character Mask: Developing vocal range and character-driven movement.
• The Final Creation: A student-designed mask used to develop original Lazzi—the classic physical routines and improvisations of the Italian tradition.

The course culminates in a vibrant, character-led parade to Hollywood Boulevard, where students will bring their original work to the public in the true spirit of street theatre.

Cost: $800, 8 Weeks.
Class Format: Two 2 hour 15 minute classes per week

Instructor: Caitlin Apparcel
Location: Dance

An intensive psycho-physical approach to movement training. In this class, actors develop a detailed technique for how the thoughts and feeling of their characters are expressed through physical movement and behavior. During this introductory term, a large emphasis is placed on self-awareness. Actors develop an understanding of their own physical habits and learn techniques for moving beyond those habits. This gives actors the freedom to engage their bodies in new ways in their acting and to make choices that serve the truth of their characters. This is a valuable class for students of all levels.

Cost: $800

Instructor: Caitlin Apparcel
Location: Dance

In this course actors explore techniques for developing ‘Presence’ in acting and they develop skills for connecting, or relating, the body to the many relationships and circumstances of a play.

Cost: $800. 6 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Movement I & II

Instructor: Rick Peters
Location: Studio F

A step by step process for the advanced actor, covering the preparatory work that is done before the final callback audition and the acting breakdown of the full script before the actor arrives on set to shoot. Only film scripts are used and all work is done on camera. Adjusting the actor’s instrument from Stage to film is emphasized.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III, Script Breakdown & Scene Study Beginning

Instructor: Rick Peters
Location: Studio C

Group Warm-up: M/T/W/TH 9:00a-10:00a, Trang Le & Paul Guzman, Larsen

Mandatory one hour vocal and body workout prior to rehearsal.

After completing the first year classes, which are the building blocks that a serious actor uses to confidently approach and create great characters, the student-actor is now ready to go into
the excitement and work of the full production of a play. The energy and demands of a full production differ from individual scene work. Also, more will be expected of the student-actor, as he/she carries his/her part of the responsibility of bringing a full play to life. Under the guidance of the teacher/director, student-actors will be responsible for working on the script and their character. They will be expected to bring that work into rehearsals. The teacher/director will provide feedback, while adding to – and shaping – the student-actor’s work.

Cost: $2400. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III, Script Breakdown, Script Analysis, Scene Study Beginning & Intermediate Scene Study

Instructor: Madeleine Woolner
Location: Larsen

Group Warm-up: M/T/W/TH 9:00a-10:00a; Trang Le & Paul Guzman, Larsen

Mandatory one hour vocal and body workout prior to rehearsal.

This is the final production of the Full Program. By this point, the student-actor is expected to work independently on all script analysis and character work so that his/her individual work contributes to the play and the ensemble in each progressive rehearsal. This reinforces the purpose of the Two Year Program: to train actors to be self motivated to work on all aspects of his/her character on their own, so that he/she can come into ALL acting roles armed with interesting, creative choices that lead to fully realized characters. The student-actor learns not to need the director (or anyone else) to hold their hand, yet that same student-actor learns to be able to take direction and make it doable.

Cost: $4000. 16 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III, Script Breakdown, Script Analysis, Scene Study Beginning, Scene Study Intermediate, Scene Study Advanced, Intimacy & Violence, Character, Play Production I & II, Voice I & II, Movement I- IV, Shakespeare I & II, Greek Theatre, Theatre History, Musical Voice, On-Camera, On-Camera Craft, Alexander Technique I & II, Improvisation, Improv to Scene, Speech I, II & III

Instructor: Rick Peters
Location: Studio C

Having completed Technique I & II and Script Breakdown, the actor will present scenes where they will receive analysis and criticism that will provide insight into the playwright and his meaning. The actor will acquire a new heightened understanding, which will lead to an interpretation of the playwright in light of the actor’s own talent and creativity.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III, Script Breakdown

Instructor: Tim McNeil
Location: Studio C

A progression and advancement of the work established in Scene Study, delving more deeply into the discussion of text and character.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III, Script Breakdown, Scene Study Beginning & Scene Study Intermediate

Instructor: Laura Leyva
Location: Studio E

This class is the practical application of the principles and technique’s that have been taught in the first year. We pick up at the “table work“ from Script Analysis with a step-by-step process for breaking down the material, building a character, applying a practical, do-able understanding of sequence, playing of actions and rehearsal technique. Using a full published play by a major playwright the actors work on their feet, on the platform.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Technique I, II & III

Instructor: Tim Kopacz
Location: Studio G

Building on the awareness gained in Speech I, students learn to use words and sounds more effectively to create a deeper emotional/personal connection to the text. Students also continue to work on speech habits as they relate to General American Speech and elements of Good Classical Speech are introduced. Students leave with the ability to speak classical and modern texts with physical and emotional clarity. Required text: Speak With Distinction, by Edith Skinner. Pre-requisite: Speech One.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Speech I

Instructor: Peter Wittrock
Location: Studio D

This class trains the actor to free the natural speaking voice by learning and exploring the classic progression of the Linklater voice work. The actor will learn a series of physical and vocal exercises that will free the voice from tensions and negative habits while developing, strengthening and expanding vocal range, power, resonance and clarity. The actor will explore a piece of modern text in this class.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.

Instructor: Peter Wittrock
Location: Studio B

This is an advanced voice class for actors who have finished Voice I and II. The actor will continue to reinforce the voice progression they have learned, and will have more opportunity to practically apply their voice technique in monologue and scene work every week. The actor will explore both modern and classical texts in this class.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Voice I, Voice II