"When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs as you do, you can relax a little and use more normal means of talking to it; when you have to assume that it does not, then you have to make your vision apparent by shock; to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost-blind, you draw large and startling figures."
- Flannery O’Connor
The two-tiered Directing Workshop program offers opportunities for new and inexperienced stage and film directors to work with a seasoned director. Studio associate director John Grabowski heads the Directors Program and comes to the work with 30 plus years experience of teaching and having directed over 30 productions. Directors are encouraged to continue working on directing plays at the studio beyond their class time.
6-DAY ROME MASTER CLASSES in MEISNER TECHNIQUE and SCENE STUDY REHEARSAL TECHNIQUE offers concentrated instruction that introduces students to Sanford Meisner's system of training actors in developing basic acting skills following a step-by-step progression of exercises and based in acting principle that will promote developing the actor's ability to live organically, moment by moment, under imaginary circumstances. These acting classes cover the beginning Meisner techniques from word repetition through their first application to a scene. Full tuition Merit Scholarships are awarded at the end.
The Directing I class is intended for new and inexperienced stage and/or film directors who seek to learn how to develop story structure and to communicate with actors by working with a seasoned director, Studio associate director John Grabowski. (Note: This is not a film class.) The class will acquaint students with the detailed work a director does before beginning rehearsals and continues with a step-by-step examination of the rehearsal process. Upon completion of this class, students are offered an opportunity to enroll in Directing II and direct a one-act play with Chelsea Repertory Company at the Studio. Filmmakers are often drawn to this class because it helps them understand how to analyze dramatic texts and how to better communicate with actors. Directing I will be offered as a hybrid class with in-person and online instruction. Please indicate your preference when applying.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
The Directing II class offers directors the opportunity to actually mount a one-act play for a workshop production to be presented by the Chelsea Rep LAB in public performances as part of the annual DIRECTOR'S CHOICE - SPRINGFEST ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL during the month of May. Directing I is a prerequisite. Directing II is offered in-person only and is contingent on the resumption of public performances which the Studio expects to be in 2022.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
This class is a concentrated introduction to Sanford Meisner's approach to developing basic acting skills following a step-by-step progression of exercises that develop the actor's ability to live organically moment by moment under imaginary circumstances. This acting class covers the beginning Meisner techniques from word repetition through their first application to a scene and serves as a studio audition for people new to acting. It is by far the best beginner acting class in New York City. It is a pre-requisite for admission to The Acting Program. Requires outside practice with a partner twice a week.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
This six week Meisner Summer Intensive acting class is a "summer-only," intensive that meets three times per week. It is exactly the same curriculum and instruction as our "Introduction to Meisner-Acting Technique" class (10-weeks). Meisner Summer Intensive covers the beginning Meisner techniques from word repetition through the first application of the techniques to a scene. It is an excellent starting point for beginner actors.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
Actor Lawrence Gilliard Jr (The Wire, The Walking Dead, The Deuce, Gangs of New York, Army Wives, etc.) brings his thirty-plus years acting experience to teaching new actors what to expect and how to navigate their way around that first-day experience of working on a film or television set. Participants in this intensive will learn the behind-the-scene fundamentals and gain invaluable insights into the acting industry in preparation to be ready for their first day on-set experience. "The readiness is all."
In all areas of acting, auditioning, public speaking, directing and playwriting, the Studio offers private coaching for actors working on theatre/film/TV roles, or those needing audition preparation. Also for people seeking monologue, scene study classwork, voice & speech, accent reduction and/or MFA graduate program preparation. Please note: All people who work at the studio will be required to fill out an application. We do not teach acting via private, one on one sessions.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
Very few actors know what to do with their script beyond just memorizing their lines. While knowing your lines is important, it is only about 5% of the work an actor needs to do. This class focuses on the other 95% of the actors work in regard to understanding how to analyze the text, and make acting choices which become the foundation of their performance.
(For schedule click DATES & PRICES above.)
