Featured

Presented by Hadi Tabbal –

Held in person: 

The essential forces and circumstances that underlie human behavior (and by extension character behavior) are the same, but the way this behavior manifests itself can differ widely form medium to medium, or from one kind of material to the other. How is television and film writing different from theater writing? How are the storytelling mechanics different in live and camera performances? And how do these differences inform what we must do as actors to tell those stories? This class is dedicated to helping the working actor carry over their strengths and talents in theater into camera work. How do we maximize on our theater training when tackling television and film work? And how do we build new skills that the medium requires? And how can we help ourselves get rid of patterns that stand in the way of truthful acting in general? Taught in a hands-on environment, the class involves scene work, camera work, script analysis, and guided peer to peer discussions.

Hadi Tabbal is a NY-based theater, film, and TV actor and writer. Hadi just starred in the Pulitzer prize-winning play ENGLISH on Broadway which opened to rave reviews and was named the best play of the decade by Variety. Hadi himself won an Obie Award and was nominated for a Lucille Lortel for his work on ENGLISH at The Atlantic Theater. Hadi also starred in the NY Times Critic’s Pick production of THE VAGRANT Trilogy at The Public Theater. On television, Hadi starred as Amir Al-Raisani on NBC’s THE BRAVE… read more

Presented by Daniel Pearce –

Held in-person (review in-person requirements): 

In this workshop, we will explore the fundamental tools and concepts necessary for rehearsing and performing a Shakespeare play. We will begin with two assumptions. First, even if you don’t realize it, you already have everything you need to perform Shakespeare. And second, the best way to understand Shakespeare’s work is to engage with the text actively. His work is meant to be spoken out loud, shared, and performed. His language cries out to exist in the here and now, and an actor’s job is to bring these words out into this moment and time.

We will explore a series of speeches and scenes as a group, utilizing the tools that allow an actor to unlock the text and take ownership over the language. Each actor will also be invited to bring in a speech of their own to work on individually in front of the group. Finally, we will spend some time exploring how these tools can be applied to any text, classical or contemporary. By the end of this workshop you will have gained practical experience working on heightened language, a basic understanding of an actor’s main tools for rehearsing Shakespeare’s plays, including use of iambic pentameter, scansion, melody, rhythm, antithesis, pitch, and operative words, and begun the foundational work on a new classical monologue to add to your repertoire. An exciting speech coming from a place of personal truth.

For the First Day of Class: Bring a speech that you want to work on from any Shakespeare play. Please be sure to read the full play.

Prerequisite: Open to all levels, but prior acting training and experience is required.

Presented by Magaly Colimon –

To be held online via Zoom: 

Casting directors and agents have made a dramatic shift to online auditions — including pre-recorded self-taped submissions and live auditions on videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom. Many acting gigs themselves are taking place in the virtual sphere, through live online events and self-recorded performances.

This workshop for the working actor will put you ahead of the curve in this new virtual era.

Whether you are planning to self-tape, preparing to audition live via Zoom with an agent, or if you are curious about how to adjust your live theater acting skills to satisfy the requirements of this medium — this is the class for you.

Topics addressed will include:

• The elements of a strong self tape – editing, shooting, equipment, angle, how to save and label your file with your name/project name etc.
• Acting with a remote fellow actor.
• Translating your theater acting skills for the online medium
• Practices and exercises allow for effortless, authentic on-camera performances.

Participants must be prepared to purchase the equipment needed for creating online auditions and self tapes: lighting, backdrop, lavalier microphone. Guidance will be given in class regarding what to purchase.