Hello Mediatek101,
Initially my search (sreach terms: acting classes New York)turned up
high-powered programs like Actors Studio and Julliard, which are
really geared toward the professional actor looking for
career-enhancing instruction. Several such programs are listed here:
www.letsgo.com/NYC/13-AltsToTourism-83
Although these programs are "open to the public," they are not what I
understand you to be looking for: fun classes with not a lot of
competitive pressure.
So that's one category of acting classes in New York, for all the
professionals who populate the city. Very good classes, I am sure. And
very demanding.
The second category (and the one I think you wish to investigate) are
classes geared toward the non-professional. And while I have no direct
experience of any such classes, I would hazard to say that many of
them are excellent. There is such a huge pool of theater professionals
in New York that I am confident the level of instruction in these
"beginner/amateur" classes surpasses anything available elsewhere in
the country.
The key word here is "amateur." When I altered my search terms to
"acting classes for amateurs New York, NY), I hit paydirt in the form
of Craig's List:
http//newyork.craigslist.org/cls/index100.html.
This is a remarkable compendium of classes (adult or continuing
education, for the most part) available in the five boroughs of New
York City in an enormous range of subjects. It includes MANY acting
classes.
I have culled seven for your consideration:
1. Brooklyn:
Acting with the Eric Morris Technique:
Frankie Travis subscribes and teaches this technique due to the
transformitive process it creates and the authenticity she has seen it
bring to both her and her students performances. Eric Morris has
written and published several books describing his system: No Acting
Please, Being and Doing, Irreverent Acting, Acting form the Ulimate
Consciousness, & Acting, Imaging, and the Unconscious.
Frankie uses the tools delineated in these books to explore the
elements of "moment to moment" "creative impulse" and "authenticity"
with each student.
The discoveries made in this class unveil a state of "being" (no more
or less than what you really feel) and empowers the actor so there is
no "dependency" on outside teachers, friends, critics, or family and
the opprotunity presents itself to be ones own best "critic."
All levels of experience are suitable for the class structure. Full
brochure w/bio, curriculum, policy and fees is available upon request,
please submit address for mailing.
**NYC Monthly Weekend Intensives & Classes Offered. NYC & Southern
California. For brochure & schedule, email or call Frankie Travis
805.901.5934 CA or 917.609.8872 NY
"Frankie is a multi-talented artist and incredibly gifted as a teacher
and coach. She is committed, sensitive, and keenly attuned to her
students needs. Frankie's warmth and enthusiasm are
infectious."--Kathy Pither/Actress & Teacher-Santa Rosa, CA
"Frankie has the experience, the insight and the natural ability--
everything you want in an acting teacher. She gives you the tools to
expand your creative sensibilities. This technique is a career
must!"--Kate Rushing/ Actress, Dancer, Documentarian--New York, NY
For more info, write to: frankietravis@yahoo.com
2. Manhattan
Have you ever wanted to pursue an acting career and just don't know
where or how to start! Would you like to become an actor but feel you
can't because you have stage fright or have problems memorizing! This
is the class for you. Call Etienne Navarre, Founder and Executive
Producer of Tin Man Productions
718 609 1541 for rates and details. Hurry, class is limited to 15.
3. Manhattan
THE 2004 IMPROVISATION PROGRAM
Taught by James Murray, Professional Improv Director and a Former
Associate Producer at 'Saturday Night Live'
Looking to learn Improvisation?
In the improvisation program, students will learn all the fundamentals
of good scenework, such as group mind, "Yes, And," and finding the
game within the scene. In this dynamic and fun eight-week program, you
essentially become a long-form improv troupe, performing in every
class. We work extensively on character, relationships, environment
and finding the ripple in a scene. Find out why actors with excellent
improv skills are the ones who get the callbacks and book the jobs!
James Murray has been trained in long-form improvisation by Del Close
and Charna Halpern of ImprovOlympic, and is director of the
Tenderloins Improv & Sketch Comedy Troupe. Mr. Murray is also an
award-winning film director and has worked as an Associate Producer at
?Saturday Night Live.' He currently works as a Casting Director at
Scott Powers Studios in NYC, and casts for Commercials, Print, Film
and Television.
This program runs on the following dates: Wednesdays, 7pm-10pm, May
26; June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7 and 14.
To find out more information or to register, call 212-242-4700 or
visit www.scottpowers.com
4. Manhattan
**ACTING FOR BEGINNERS!** beginning in June
I'm starting three new classes to begin sometime in June (as soon as I
have enough students).
Do you want to learn to act but you don?t know where to start? Are you
confused by so many choices and schools? If there is a ?Method?, what
exactly is it? And why does everyone seem to teach something
different?
Acting is a craft. Pure and simple. You, the actor, are the
instrument, and the craft of acting is tangible, and ? most
importantly ? TEACHABLE.
If you?re looking for an introduction to acting, consider enrolling in
a 10-week class taught by Jeff Hearn. Mr. Hearn was trained in NYC by
renowned master-teacher Robert Patterson. In the 10-week course you
will discover the fundamental basics of the craft of acting, including
Living Moment to Moment , and The Reality of Doing. You will then
apply these basic skills working on cold readings -- with texts by
Clifford Odets and Horton Foote.
The class will meet once a week on Tuesday from 6:30-9:30, or Thursday
from 6:30-9:30, or Saturday from 1-4. The fee is a very reasonable $30
per class, with each class lasting approximately three hours. If you
are interested and would like more information, email me at
jeff@jeffhearn.com, putting ACTING CLASSES in the subject line, or you
may call me at 917-751-5748.
5. Manhattan
(This one sounds like it could be a LOT of fun.)
I don't have many friends right now.
I'm not athletically inclined.
I'm shy.
I don't... can't... won't...
STOP.
Have fun. Laugh. Play. Meet new people. Make new friends.
HOW?
Try a QuickThinking! Improv Class.
You'll have fun. Play. Meet new people. Make new friends.
Best of all, you don't need any acting or improv experience.
Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
The only thing you will need is a positive attitude and the
willingness to try. Oh- and $10 for a sample class!
C'mon - give it a try.
Take a chance.
Roll the dice.
See how the positive aspects of learning improvisation with
QuickThinking! can help you to become more positive, a better
communicator, more spontaneous, and more socially outgoing.
If you take the sample class and feel it's not for you, you won't be
obligated or hassled. QT! Improv Classes are thriving with funny,
friendly, and supportive students. Come meet them and see for
yourself.
And while you're at it - go to www.quickthinkingimprov.com and go to
the "testimonials" page to see what students have to say about
QuickThinking! Improv.
Please email to reserve a spot in an upcoming class. Class meets every
Wednesday night from 7-9pm in the Chelsea area of Manhattan.
Take the leap.
- See ya on the other side :)
For more info, write to: quickthingingimprov@excite.com
6. Manhattan.
(Be a clown! This one may fall more into category one and is a bit expensive).
Jump into your body...open like a little flower...rediscover your
playful spirit and the simple pleasure and ferocious generosity of
performance. In this one-week intensive workshop we pursue the clown
together in all of its messy and hilarious beauty. Your relationship
to all other forms of drama will be enriched by the openness and
reckless abandon that the clown requires. Admission is open to all
students. May 31-June 4, 1-5:00 p.m., $450
Christopher Bayes is currently on the faculty of the Yale School of
Drama, The Juilliard School, NYU's Graduate Acting Program and The
Tisch School of the Arts, The Actors Center and The Shakespeare
Theater's Academy for Classical Acting in Washington D.C. where he is
a Master Teacher of Physical Comedy/Clown. In August he will forsake
all of these positions, pack up his family and all of his nonsense and
begin as Director of Movement and Physical Theater at the Brown
University/Trinity Repertory Theater Consortium in Providence RI, so
these will be the last open workshops offered in New York for some
time. Don't miss your chance to make with the Ha HA while you still
can!
Reply to this email to reserve a spot now!
$50 non-refundable deposit required to reserve a spot.
$50 discount given to those taking more than one workshop! See other
workshops on Craig's List, Clown 2 and Mask: Commedia and Physical
Comedy.
7. Manhattan.
This one too may fall more into category one, but if you think you
might like to act in the Australian style, this may be for you (and
it's free!):
FREE ACTING CLASS
AIDA
Australian Institute of Dramatic Arts
The School that focuses on teaching Australian techniques in Los
Angeles (with over 60 students) IS NOW IN NEW YORK CITY.
Learn techniques that are used by Australian stars in USA.
LATEST NEWS FROM AIDA: In April in Los Angeles, in addition to
theatre, television and commercials bookings, AIDA students had 4
feature film bookings. 2 were lead roles! With Aida now opening up in
Manhattan in June, this is your chance to taste the skills taught from
overseas right here in New York.
"Why do we do a free class? Because we don?t audit. This way, in our
ongoing classes, no one can interrupt the classes and the teachers
don?t have to focus on marketing themselves to strangers ? they can
focus on one thing ? the lesson plan at hand that evening".
Learn the techniques taught to: Cate Blanchett (Academy Award nominee
for Elizabeth), Judy Davis (Academy Award winner for Passage To India
& Woody Allen movies), Mel Gibson, (Academy Award winner for
Braveheart), Hugh Jackman (Kate & Leopold, X-Men), Geoffrey Rush
(Academy award winner for Shine. Quills, Frida, Pirates of the
Caribbean, Shakespeare in Love), Hugo Weaving (Lord of The Rings /
Matrix X 3) and
Russell Crowe (Academy Award winner for Gladiator) employed NIDA voice
coach Bill Pepper.
Check out details at the AIDA web site at www.aidaacting.com. Click on
the NEW YORK link.
DETAILS FOR THE FREE CLASS
(PLEASE READ ALL THE DETAILS IN THIS EMAIL CAREFULLY)
WHEN: Monday, 31st of May 2004, from either: 6pm to 8.30pm OR 8.30pm
to 11pm. Each class goes for 2.5 hours.
You decide which class you want to attend and let AIDA know in your email!
WHERE: The Actors Alliance Studio of New York 330 West 38th Street,
Suite 906. New York, NY 10018. (212) 239-5155 - www.actorsalliance.net
- Between 8th & 9th. Please go to www.mapquest.com , or check a street
directory for directions.)
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE - If you're planning on coming TO THE FREE CLASS,
please do the following.
1. Only reply via email if you are "definitely" planning on coming.
2. Please give your telephone number and your full name in your email.
(Because there is a limit to the number of people who can come).
3. Please let AIDA know if you wish to come to the 6pm or the 8.30pm
class when you contact us. This is very important!
4. Please write the FREE CLASS date and address details from this
email into your diary to remind you of the class.
NOTE: NO OTHER TEACHERS ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND.
*****You will be sent a confirmation email when you make the list.
STUDYING WITH AIDA IN USA: A 4 week extensive acting course on
Australian techniques follows on from this class; commencing Monday
June 7th. You are not obligated to sign up for the course but it will
be mentioned to you at the end of the free class. There are financial
incentives for studying with AIDA; check them out at the free class.
You can book in for the May classes even if you can't do the free
class.
For details and to reserve your place for THE FREE ACTING CLASS, email
AIDA at aida@aidaacting.com and PLEASE mark the message "free acting
class NY".
If you wish to book in for the new intake commencing Monday June 7th.
Please email AIDA at aida@aidaacting.com and PLEASE mark the message
?signing up for new intake?.
I hope among these choices, you'll find the class made for you.
All the best,
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