Class Descriptions
5 Week Summer Session
Meisner Technique Summer Intensive 12 students per class
Adult, Young Adult (Ages 16-19), and Youth (Ages 13-15)
Sanford Meisner of the Group Theatre and the Neighborhood Playhouse developed a series of exercises to help the actor hone their ability to “truly listen” and “take in” another person. Ultimately the technique teaches one to improvise in response to what is seen or experienced from other actors thus creating spontaneous behavior and emotional life as a bi-product. As each phase of the training is mastered, the actor is able to more fully bring the freshness of instinctual response and behavior to a scripted text. Prior experience in acting or Meisner Technique is not required to study this method because it is based on an incremental series of exercises that work solely as a result of mastering the step before. This summer session is a stand alone intensive that can serve either as an introduction into Meisner Technique, or accelerate the passage into the One Year or Two Year full Meisner programs. Students are expected to present work at each class. In addition, the studio expects students to spend a significant amount of time in outside rehearsal with their partners. Registration by interview.
Advanced Scene Study 12 students per class
This class is based on the Meisner Technique, but is open to all actors with a requisite level of: Meisner training; significant performance experience; or college theatre/conservatory training. Advanced Scene Study will give actors additional skills in script analysis, crafting a role, advanced character work and interpretation. Students will explore their analytical and interpretive powers, and increase their understanding of “point of view”, their own as well as that of the character. The class will give the actor a systematic approach to scene work, while maintaining contact with scene partners and entering the scene emotionally alive and available. Registration by interview.
