Current Schedule

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: Bonnie McNeil
Location: Studio C

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

Instructors: Noga Wind
Location: Studio A

This class will prepare students to jump headfirst into the entertainment industry. It will cover the foundations of the business, getting started, do’s and don’ts, talent representation, branding, and how to navigate it safely as your authentic self. Through an intersectional approach, this course will give students the essential tools they need to cultivate their professional careers and stand unapologetically in their artistic truth.

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

Instructors: Roy Johns
Location: Dance

The presence of the Mask is a universal cultural phenomenon. Used in rituals, ceremonies, and theatrical performances, it possesses the minds of the wearer and the observer. The mask is the permission giver. In the mask, an actor can do anything, be anyone. In this course, students will learn performance techniques that draw from Commedia dell’Arte, archetype, experimental movement, presentational performance and improvisational comedy. Students will develop characters, participate in games and exercises, and create original work.

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

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: Caitlin Apparcel
Location: Studio B

In this class students explore physical acting techniques that can be applied directly to monologues and scenes. Throughout the class students develop a process for making ‘physical choices’ in their performance work.

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

Instructor: Alex Aves
Location: Larsen

Group Warm-up: M/W 9:00a-10:00a, T/TH 4:30p-5:30p; Tim Kopacz/Trang Le, 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: Tim McNeil
Location: See book

Group Warm-up: M/W 9:00a-10:00a, Tim Kopacz/Trang Le, 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: Chris Thornton
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: Chris Thornton
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: 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: Peter Wittrock
Location: Studio E

This course is an introduction and a step-by-step approach to the authentic speaking of Shakespeare’s text. The course will explore one Shakespeare play in depth, focusing on developing an approach to understanding the language as well as developing a method of speaking the language with truth, clarity and a range of vocal expression. Students will learn 1 Shakespearean sonnet and 2 monologues.

Students will develop an understanding of, and practice the verbal expression of structure of the verse, including iambic pentameter, line endings, verse and prose alteration, and rhyme.

The course will also examine the Elizabethan world view and explore the historical, religions, and social issues of the day.

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

Instructor: Peter Wittrock
Location: Studio A

A continuation of the work from Shakespeare I, students produce scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. There is further emphasis on script analysis and deep character development based on the embedded clues provided by Shakespeare.

Cost: $900. 8 Weeks.
Prerequisite: Shakespeare I​, Voice I

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: Tim Kopacz
Location: Studio G

Having concluded work in the General American dialect in the first two levels of Speech training, students will now branch into accents and dialects from around the world. The application of the lessons learned in Speech 1, assessing dialects phonetically, meet the lessons of application in Speech 2 to give students the ability and confidence to teach themselves dialects and accents in the professional world, as well as deepen their understanding and ability to make choices with speech in performance. Pre-requisite: Speech I and II.

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

Instructor: Tim Kopacz
Location: Studio G

Throughout human history, Theatre Acting, and all performing arts, have been a necessity for the human psyche, and have become spiritual and educational vehicles that have helped individuals and societies move forward. In this on your feet, active class (not lecture only), the most important Theatre/Acting movements through history are identified and explored. Ancient Greek Theatre, Roman, Sanskrit, Noh, Kabuki, Intermezzi, Comedia del’ Arte and Elizabethan Theatre are just some of the stops on our journey though time and human exploration. This knowledge of our Theatrical and Acting Heritage can become a powerful tool in the hands of an actor.

Cost: $800. 8 Weeks.