Spring Classes (Adult)

Beginning Classes

THE CREATIVITY OF ACTING FOR FILM & STAGE
Led by Babs George

Intuitive acting. What does it mean? Where does it come from? How do you get there consistently? —Living in the moment, in a highly intuitive state is the method explored, (learned from Charles Conrad, now retired, but well known Los Angeles acting teacher of 40 years). Improvisation and cold reading scenes will be the bulk of the class work. Both film and stage scripts will be used, with some work filmed for playback and critique. Beginning- Advanced Beginning

Jan. 4-Feb. 8 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3001 200

BEGINNING ACTING FOR FILM & STAGE
1st and 4th session and led by Amber DuPuy; 2nd session by Paula Russell; 3rd session by Mj Vandivier

A gentle approach conducive to the beginner, this class will focus predominantly on scene study for film and stage. Learn how to establish meaningful and honest relationships through the art of active listening and responding. Learn the tools necessary to be “believable.” Develop your imaginative capacities, unleash your creative impulses, deepen your intuition, and sharpen the analytical skills necessary to “breakdown” a scene.

Jan. 6- Feb. 10 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3034 200
Jan. 26- Mar. 2 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3034 202
Apr. 6- May 11 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3034 203
Apr. 26- Jun 7 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3034 204 (No class May 31)

BEGINNING ACTING II
Led by Amber DuPuy

This pre-intermediate course is for students who have taken previous beginning acting classes and would like to build upon the foundation they have received. Students will practice scene study and/or monologue work. Focus will be on strengthening scene breakdown, listening and responding to one's scene partner and following one's inner impulses. Additionally, students will explore their imaginative responses and emotional accessibility.

Mar.1-Apr. 12 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 9002 200 (No class on Mar. 15th)

ACTING FOR FILM
1st session led by Gabriel Folse; 2nd session led by Paula Russell

This is a beginning to advanced beginning acting for film class. Mr. Folse focuses on achieving a naturalistic acting style through honesty and vulnerability. The emphasis is on energy, personal power, personality and enjoyment. The students’ work will be explored through improvisation and scene study from film and television scripts with some videotaping and playback for critique. Also, short clips will be watched to learn more about filmmaking and the requirements for the actor.

Jan. 14-Feb. 18 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3010 200
Mar. 10-Apr. 21 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3010 201

IMPROVISATION 101
Led by Shana Merlin

For complete beginners and experienced actors, this workshop teaches the fundamentals of improvisation. The class’s interactive exercises build listening and communication skills, heighten awareness and teach you how to be more playful, spontaneous and flexible. Learn improvisation exercises for performance or rehearsals that teach you how to think on the spot, how to manipulate your physicality, how to tell stories and a whole bunch more.

Jan. 19-Feb. 23 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3040 200
Mar. 30-May 4 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3040 201

FORM AND FEELING: ACTING SHAKESPEARE’S VERSE
Led by Matt Radford

This class explores the ways in which Shakespeare directs the actor through his verse. We will learn how to scan the meter for meaning, release the music in the words, and harness the power of the rhetoric. Applying these skills to monologues and scene work, we aim, as Hamlet asks of his players, to “suit the action to the word, the word to the action.” This class is for beginning to advanced acting students who may be new to Shakespeare. Please come to the first session with two or three monologues that you are interested in working on. These should be in verse rather than prose, and 1-2 minutes long.

Feb. 4-Mar. 11 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185 DRAX 3030 200

MONOLOGUES FOR ADULTS
Led by Paula Russell

Learn how to choose the perfect monologue to reveal not only your ability to transform into a character, but your intelligence, humor, depth and approach to life. In most audition situations, you will have only one to three minutes to show you can be a real human being, not "act" up a storm. Learn some surprising secrets to successful auditions such as, what about those crucial moments right before you walk through that door?

Apr 28-Jun 2 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3031 200

THE ART OF STORYTELLING
Led by David Thompson

Storytelling – it's not just for children. Storytelling is the oldest known form of the oral tradition. In this introductory class led by master storyteller, David Thompson, you will learn to choose your tradition (style), begin to build your repertoire, learn vocal/physical exercises, prepare examples from different genres, adapt your program to the audience, and many other areas belonging to storytelling. Come prepared to laugh, work, sweat, exercise, discuss, and prepare. But, most of all, come to share your stories with others.

Apr. 7-May 12 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 4030 200

Intermediate to Advanced Classes

FILM ACTING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACTOR
Led by Gabriel Folse

This “pros” only class is for actors who have agents and are actively auditioning. Being a professional actor means that you are committed to doing your best and are ready to go! In this class actors will have the opportunity to refine the necessary skills for success by improving their film acting technique and cold reading skills, gaining greater ease in the audition environment, becoming more familiar with “on-set” etiquette, and learning how to successfully incorporate direction. Space is limited to 8 actors only.

Jan. 27-Mar. 3 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $200 DRAX 3019 200

PAULA RUSSELL’S ONGOING ACTING WORKSHOP  
Led by Paula Russell

Emphasis is on refining techniques in Focused Relaxation, Unique/Dynamic Choices and being Fully Present in the Here and Now. Voice, body, character work and improvisation are integrated into all the work. Film and stage actors learn to adapt to all mediums.  Find that Still and Magic Place Within that lights up a screen and reaches the back row. Work/play in a positive environment where personal privacy is never invaded. If you have not worked with Paula before, you may read more about her and contact her via paula-russell.com about being accepted into this workshop. The class will continue as ongoing for intermediate to advanced students. Limited to 10 adult students.

Feb. 21-Mar. 28 (6 weeks) Sundays 5-8pm.                                       $165

THE ACTOR’S CRAFT ONGOING TECHNIQUE CLASS – Postponed until later date
Led by Amber DuPuy

This ongoing class creates an environment where students can “work it out.” In order to create vivid and fleshed-out characters, students will apply the tools they have learned thus far, plus learn new technical elements. In addition, the actor’s instrument will be stretched and honed with physical and vocal warm-ups, imagination exploration and improvisation. Scene work and/or monologues will be developed.

Prerequisite: Beginning Acting II; or if you have previous acting experience, instructor consent is required.

Mar. 3-Apr. 14 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $165 DRAX 3010 200

INTERMEDIATE ACTING FOR FILM
Led by Gabriel Folse

Mr. Folse focuses on achieving a naturalistic acting style through honesty and vulnerability. The emphasis is on energy, personal power, personality and enjoyment. The students’ work will be explored through improvisation and scene study from film and television scripts with some videotaping and playback for critique. Also, short clips will be watched to learn more about filmmaking and the requirements for the actor with a mock audition the last class. Pre-requisite: Must have previous training or experience.

Mar. 11-Apr. 22 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3011 200

CREATIVITY ONGOING CLASS
Led by Babs George

This class is designed to continue the work begun in the Creativity class for Film & Stage. Accessing right brain, intuitive state is a constant challenge, and this class focuses on continuing Charles Conrads’ exercises. Cold reading and preparing scenes both from film and stage scripts are the bulk of the work. Script analysis will be a part of the investigation of scene, and space permitting, there will also be an integration of movement based loosely on Ann Bogart’s VIEWPOINTS.

Mar. 22-Apr. 26 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $165 DRAX 3008 200M

FORM AND FEELING II: ACTING SHAKESPEARE'S VERSE – INTERMEDIATE
Led by Matt Radford

The first Chorus to Henry V sets the audience a challenge: "[L]et us, ciphers to this great account, / On your imaginary forces work." In exploring how Shakespeare's mature verse and prose stimulates the actor's imagination, this class develops tools to decipher complex dramatic texts. We will focus on passages from Shakespeare's problem plays, later tragedies and final romances. Please bring two monologues (1-2 minutes long) from plays written after 1603. Class will also include scene work.

April 1- May 6 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185 Credit cards or checks payable to The State Theatre School of Acting

THE FILM AUDITION
Led by Gabriel Folse

This class will re-create the film audition environment giving the student many opportunities with different scripts to experience what a real audition might be like. Film terminology, cold readings and time in front of the camera will be utilized to boost confidence for actors of all levels of experience. Also, the interview process and psychology of the interview and audition will be discussed. Work will be taped and played back for critique each class. Pre-requisite: Previous experience or acting training.

May 5-May 26 (4 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $150 DRAM 3013 200

Voice Classes

THE SPEAKING VOICE 101
Led by MJ Vandivier

Discover how you can make a great first impression with your voice or talk for hours without losing steam. Mj Vandivier, a Certified Lessac Voice and Body Trainer, leads, encourages, and grounds students in processes of voice dynamics. She’ll guide you through vocal and body warm-ups, including the Relaxer-Energizers, the Consonant Orchestra or Structural Vowels, and more. This class is a pre-requisite for the Accents and Dialects class.

Jan. 18-Feb. 22 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $185 DRAM 3019 200

ACCENTS AND DIALECTS
Led by MJ Vandivier

Standard British, Texan and Brooklynese. Every actor should have a variety of dialects as part of their professional arsenal. Standard British is the most frequently requested of the stage actor. In Austin, the Texas accent is one of the most commonly used in film. And the Brooklyn dialect is simply a lot of fun to learn!

Mar. 8–Apr. 19 (6weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $185 DRAX 3017 200

ACCENT REDUCTION
Led by MJ Vandivier

Is your accent limiting your effective communication in your professional and personal relationships? In our Accent Reduction Class, led by Certified Lessac Voice & Speech Trainer Mj Vandivier, you will learn a simple, proven methodology to modify accent usage and strengthen your ability to communicate more powerfully.

Apr. 17-May 22 (6 weeks) Saturdays 10:30am-12pm $165 DRAX 3024 200

Private Coaching

Several State Theatre School of Acting teachers offer private studies to teens and adults. Areas of study range from auditioning for film and stage, Shakespeare, Voice, Monologues and more. Contact the school for more information