State School of Acting - Spring 2013 Classes

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Beginning Classes

ACTING FOR FILM   1st and 2nd sessions led by Paula Russell, 3rd session led by Carol Hickey
This is a beginning to advanced beginning acting for film class.  The instructor will focus 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 8- Feb 12       (6 weeks)      Tuesdays           7-10pm        $185        DRAM 3010 200     *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*
Feb 27-Apr 10      (6 weeks)      Wednesdays      7-10pm        $185        DRAM 3010 201     *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*
May 1-May 29      (5 weeks)      Wednesday        7-10pm        $160        DRAM 3010 202     *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*

BEGINNING ACTING FOR FILM & STAGE   1st session with Paula Russell, 2nd session–Carol Hickey, 3rd session–MJ Vandivier, 4th session–Babs George
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 10-Feb 21      (6 weeks)      Thursdays          7-10pm       $185        DRAM 3034 200      *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*
Jan 23- Feb 27     (6 weeks)      Wednesdays      7-10pm       $185        DRAM 3034 201  
Jan 30- Mar 6       (6 weeks)      Wednesdays      1-3:30pm    $160        DRAM 3034 202 

ACTING WITH BODY AND VOICE   Led by MJ Vandivier    *NEW CLASS!*
Becoming a multi-faceted character requires knowledge and use of the actor’s complete instrument: imagination, body and voice. Only with understanding and mastery of each component can the actor truly become fully expressive in his/her choices in the art of interpretive creating. Students will explore voice/body dynamics that will lead to unique acting choices in auditions and in work on specific roles. MJ Vandivier is a Veteran actress and Certified Lessac Voice/Body teacher. She will be using film and stage scripts and there will be some outside preparation.
Mar 21-May 9       (8 weeks)       Thursdays          7-10pm      $225        DRAX 3031 200      *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*

IMPROVISATION 101   Led by Irene White
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 8- Feb 12      (6 weeks)       Tuesdays           7-10pm      $185         DRAM 3040 200
Apr 16-May 21    (6 weeks)       Tuesdays           7-10pm      $185         DRAM 3040 201

BEGINNING ACTING II   1st & 2nd sessions led by Carol Hickey, 3rd  session led by MJ Vandivier
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.
Jan 14- Feb 18     (6 weeks)      Mondays           7-10pm       $175        DRAM 9002 200 
Feb 25- Apr 8       (6 weeks)       Mondays           7-10pm       $175        DRAM 9002 201      (No class March 11)
Mar 20- Apr 24     (6 weeks)      Wednesdays     7-10pm       $175       DRAM 9002 202     *CLASS CANCELED*

Intermediate to Advanced Classes

INTERMEDIATE ACTING FOR FILM   Led by Paula Russell
This class focuses on achieving a naturalistic acting style through honesty, vulnerability, and a heightened imagination. The students’ work will be explored through improvisation and scene study from film and television scripts with some videotaping and playback for critique. Pre-requisite: Must have previous training or experience.
Feb 26- Apr 9      (6 weeks)      Tuesdays          7-10pm        $175        DRAM 3011 200        *CLASS FULL - Please call for waitlist*
Apr 17- May 22   (6 weeks)      Wednesdays     7-10pm        $175        DRAM 3011 201  

FILM ACTING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACTOR   Led by Irene White
This “pros” only class is for actors who are ready for 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.  Instructor approval required.
Jan 23- Feb 20   (5 weeks)        Wednesdays     7-10pm        $200       DRAX 3019 200    
May 2- May 30    (5 weeks)        Thursdays         7-10pm        $200       DRAX 3019 201 

THE FILM AUDITION   Led by Paula Russell
Film terminology, cold readings, and time in front of the camera will be utilized to boost confidence for actors of all levels of experience in re-creating the audition environment. Work will be taped and played back for critique each class. Prerequisite: Previous experience or acting training.
May 7-May 28     (4 weeks)        Tuesdays          7-10pm         $160       DRAM 3013 200

IMPROVISATION 102   Led by Irene White
This class is for students who already know the basics of Improvisation and want to expand their scene work and understanding of the pieces of a long-form piece of theatre. In this class, while focusing on Relationship, we will work extensively on Openings, Space Work, and Tag Outs. We will emphasize group mind and ensemble to perform a fearless Montage by the sessions end.
Jan 10-Feb 21    (6 weeks)         Thursdays         7-10pm         $175        DRAX 4060 200     (No Class Feb 14)

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. Learn voice/movement exercises designed to progress from an initial emphasis on centering and freeing the voice (including evaluation of existing limitations), to a focus on expanding and developing vocal potentials. MJ Vandivier, a Certified Lessac Voice and Body Trainer.  This class has a $10.00 materials fee, due at the first session.
Jan 7- Feb 11     (6 weeks)         Mondays           7-10pm         $185          DRAM 3019 200
Apr15- May 20   (6 weeks)         Mondays           7-10pm         $185          DRAM 3019 201 

ACCENTS AND DIALECTS   Led by MJ Vandivier
Irish and German. Every actor should have a variety of dialects as part of their professional arsenal. While the Irish and German dialects will be emphasized in this section, Ms. Vandivier will teach the student how to approach learning any dialect.
Feb 18- Apr 1      (6 weeks)         Mondays          7-10pm          $185          DRAX 3017 200        (No class March 11)

INTRODUCTION TO POP/ROCK VOCALS   Led by Adam Roberts   *NEW CLASS!*
This is an ideal setting for beginning vocalists who want to start off with a solid foundation, pop/rock singers seeking a better grasp of general principles of vocal health, musical theatre performers desiring a closer acquaintance with techniques for pop/rock scores, and others looking to gain an introductory knowledge of pop/rock.
Jan 19- Feb 23    (5 weeks)         Saturdays         11-2pm          $160          DRAX 4041 200        (No class Feb 9)

ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE   Led by Adam Roberts
This musical theatre intensive will provide a rigorous, eighteen-hour workshop experience for advanced participants.  Our work will center primarily on each student's existing rep and be conducted in master class format; additional topics covered will be determined by the needs and desires of the class as a whole.  We'll focus on musical theatre-specific vocal technique and methods for acting songs, as well as developing a new audition cut for each participant.  Enrollment is limited to advanced students with prior training and experience.
Mar 23- May 4      (6 weeks)        Saturdays         11am-2pm       $225        DRAX 4040 100        (No Class April 27)

Private Coaching

Several State Theatre School of Acting teachers offer private studies to older teens and adults. Areas of study range from auditioning for film and stage, Shakespeare, Voice, Monologues and more.  Contact the school for more information. 512-692-0517.