NEW CLASSES :
UTA HAGEN LAB-
Through participation and discussion, we will explore truthful behavior under a variety of circumstances though Uta Hagen’s exercises and Six Steps of Character Development. Emphasis will be placed on turning an examination of a few minutes of everyday life into practical exercises that benefit actors and create more truthful moments on stage. This allows us to actually live through the circumstances of the play and the characters' dilemma putting ourselves into the role as the “I”. The artist is then able to articulate with precision “their” motivation, given circumstances, objectives, obstacles, and actions versus “the characters”.
*Prerequisite Required- Must have completed level 2 Actor Prepares or by prermission of a director
UTA HAGEN LAB 2
As a continuation from Uta Lab 1, participants will expand their exploration of Uta Hagen’s Technique through direct application of the exercises to monologue work. This will allow for an in depth discovery of character development which in turn will produce more truthful behaviors and effective actions. Each student will be assigned a specific monologue from a published play that will simultaneously be paired up with an exercise from “A Challenge For The Actor”. It is possible that each student in class will be working on different exercises, as exercises will be assigned based on the demands of that particular monologue/character. Students will find authentic inner connections to the characters circumstances through the direct application of linking an exercise to specific text. The exercises will be presented through the lens of their character. Other skills that will be embedded within our work in Lab 2 include: selecting beats, comprehending overall obstacles, choosing effective actions, the endowment of sensory conditions, transference, moment to moment, establishing previous circumstances, and layering conscious and unconscious behavior. Class weeks will rotate between working on exercises and the monologue. Both monologues and exercises will be presented in class for critique and then reworked multiple times to be able to explore and apply the feedback.
**Prerequisite Required - Must have completed Uta Hagen Lab 1
**Required Textbook: A Challenge For The Actor --Uta Hagen
Playwriting 101 -The Playwright's Bootcamp!
THE ACTING PROGRAM
Audition Technique
By the end of this course you will be set for your next audition and will have one - two "ready to go" monologues. Students will also learn how to prepare and perform "cold" readings and how to ace the agent/casting director interview. *Prerequisite: Completion of Level 3 or by permission of the instructor.
Speech for the Actor
A must for actors interested in increasing their vocal richness and emotional range in order to maximize their individual potential. This process based course will consist of voice, speech and language. Voice includes breath and body placement, and breath support. Speech includes vowel placement, accent reduction and recognizing personal patterns. Language will include work with scripts and/or poetry while learning to use language as a tool for defining character in performance and auditioning.
Movement for the Actor
Discover the tools an actor uses to create, project and maintain a character. This lively and energetic class teaches the art and techniques of using one's body on stage. The class will first focus on how to execute basic, universal human action on stage: simply, truthfully and without effort. Next you will play, explore and create content that is emotional, fantastic, comedic, absurd and above all imaginative. Finally, after developing these basic skills, you will engage in storytelling by exploring various theatrical and cinematic genres.
FILM AND TV PROGRAM
The TV Commercial Industry
Everything you wanted to know about the TV commercial industry is included in this class. Photos, resumes, how and where to look for work, union vs. non-union jobs, agents, and casting directors are discussed. You will learn how to prepare for the commercial audition by working on camera each week. By the end of this class, students are ready to start their career!
The TV Commercial Industry : Level 2
This class focuses on auditioning for commercials of various styles, identifying these styles and knowing what approach to take. The class offers a more analytical study of commercials and commercial performance technique than level I. The goal is to give two or more excellent and unique takes at every audition. Upon completion, the participant should have a comfort level that will allow him/her to book the spot! *Prerequisite: Completion of Level I
IMPROV PROGRAM
Introduction to Improv
Give your imagination a blast of spontaneity! Learn how to better use your observation, concentration, creativity and quick thinking skills. Plus, learn how to use improvisation during theatre rehearsals and while performing on stage. A fun and funny course!
Improv II: Advanced Improv
Students will now build on the fundamental rules of improvisation. In the first half of this course, you will learn the basics of improvising a scene and how to keep it afloat. In the second half, we will incorporate all of the rules of improv by working on performance games. The last session is an open class which will give students a chance to be put "on the spot" by performing in front of an invited audience! *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intro to Improv or by permission of the instructor.
Improv III: The Improv Performance Workshop
Students will apply all of the skills they've learned by rehearsing and performing in a professional evening of improv comedy similar to Whose Line Is It Anyway? on the stage at our theatre! All students who successfully complete this workshop are eligible to audition for our improv troupe, On The Spot! *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Advanced Improv or by permission of the instructor.
MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM
SINGING 101
Have you always wanted to learn how to sing? Learn about the most essential element of musical theater: the voice! Students will work on vocal techniques, proper breathing, diction, projection and best of all, singing! Outside practice is recommended.
Musical Theater II
At this level, the performance elements of musical theater are introduced. Students continue to develop vocal skills while learning how to act through a song. Group numbers, duets and solos will be used. *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intro to Musical Theater or similar training.
Musical Theater Performance Workshop:
This workshop is designed for singers who want to keep their skills sharp and gain a deeper understanding of song interpretation. Students will work on solos, duets and group numbers. The class culminates in a production, open to the public, at the NJSDA Theater.
ACTING WORKSHOPS
Auditioning Workshop: The Cold Reading
In this special 4 week workshop, students will learn how to prepare and perform "cold" readings and how to ace the agent/casting director interview. *Prerequisite: Completion of Level 3 or by permission of the instructor.
The Business of "The Business" : A Showbiz Seminar
This seminar will give you all the basic information you need to get started in Show-biz. Learn about agents, managers, unions, resumes and headshots, plus information on commercials, film, print and theatre. Discover how to spot scams that want you to invest large amounts of money with no guarantees. Find out where the auditions are and what it takes to succeed. If you are interested in starting a career in show business or have a child with a passion for acting, singing or modeling, this seminar will be an invaluable aid in understanding the ins and outs of the industry.
You're An Actor...NOW WHAT?!
A Workshop for the Working (or Want to Be Working) Actor
You’ve taken acting classes. You finished the program. You got the goods, right? So now you just sit back and wait for the phone to ring with all them acting offers. Right?
Nope. Sorry, that’s not how it’s going to happen.
So far you’ve had the luxury of casting yourself in scenes. You read something that resonated with you, that made you tingle, that you were just dying to do because it fulfilled your artistic need. And all you had to do was bring it to class and find a scene partner to do it with you.
Well, now you’re out of school – welcome to the real world.
So when you hear about that play someone is mounting, or that film someone is producing, with that part that resonates with you, that part that makes you tingle, the one you’re just dying to do…you actually have to work for it. That’s right. You have to audition for it. You have to be invited into a room where people sit behind a desk, hoping you’re the one for the part. Or, if not you, the next one after you. Or any of the dozens of other people invited to try out for the part that also resonated with them, that also made them tingle, that they were just… Well, you get point.
I’m an actor… NOW WHAT? is the workshop that will help you understand this crazy process. How to prepare for it the best you can. And how to not give it a second thought after you’ve left that room…with the people behind the desk…
Introduction to Commercial VoiceOver with BOB CARR
Learn the basics of commercial voice over from equipment, to auditions, to parsing commercial copy. This course will give you the opportunity to read actual commercial copy and have it recorded and critiqued. We'll cover what casting directors and clients are looking for in voice quality and attitude.
NUTTY BY NATURE
IMPROV COMEDY