Course Descriptions (Summer & Saturday programs)
Meisner Acting
Sanford Meisner (Acting Faculty 1935-1990), an original member of the legendary Group Theatre, is considered one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century. His particularly approach to training actors developed into what is commonly known as The Meisner Technique. It is one of the foremost acting techniques taught all over the world, but nowhere more successfully than where it first began, here at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Students will participate in exercises that are crafted to give young actors the ability to live truthfully under given imaginary circumstances, which is the foundation of the work created by Mr. Meisner. This course is taught by senior faculty from the adult conservatory program - all of whom were trained to teach by Sanford Meisner.
Acting/Creative Drama
This course encourages imagination and creativity with a focus on improvisation, storytelling, and character development. Teachers will ask important questions to help students understand how their character fits into the given circumstances of a scene, play, or imaginary work. Theatre games and exercises are important to keep students active, in the moment, and "acting & reacting" to their classmates.
Acting a Song/Song Interpretation
Students will learn the technical terminology of music and the skills needed to perform a song with confidence and ease. Faculty will guide students through vocal exercises to warm them up to prepare for singing. Songs will be approached from the position of an actor with the logic, intention, and emotion behind the music & text being analyzed and then truthfully expressed. Students will work on interpretations of songs in a variety of combinations: solos, duets or trios, and group numbers. The group number will typically be taught in musical theatre style with staging. The difference between Acting a Song class and Song Interpretation is the material covered. Song Interpretation may deal with more intense subjects and is reserved for the older students.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique pays special attention to problems of posture, relaxation, and preparation as it relates to the actor. Frederick Matthias Alexander developed his exercises in the 1890s to help rid himself of harmful habits so that he could have stamina and vocal energy to perform Shakespeare. To this day it is used in many acting programs to help actors use their instrument (body and voice) strongly and vibrantly with the least amount of effort.
Audition Drills
Students in this class learn a variety of skills related to auditioning for the theatre. Whether an audition asks for a monologue, scene from a play or musical, a 16-bar cut of a song, or a combination of the three, students will learn to prepare for an audition based on the casting notice requirements as seen in the trades (i.e. Backstage, Actor's Access) or a posting for the school play. Audition protocol, terminology, and representative material will be discussed and practiced in this class. Techniques taught will help to build confidence in any professional situation: an interview, audition, presentation, or performance.
Dance/Movement for the Actor
Agility and range of physical motion are vital qualities for the actor. Dance is taught in all age groups and in all programs (Summer & Saturdays). The teacher works with each student on an individual level to refine their specific ability to dance and express through movement. The class will consist of warm-up, floor exercises, improv exercises, and dance combinations becoming more intricate and challenging as the students age through the program. Dance and movement will be approached as skills for the actor and emphasis will be placed on imbuing one’s movement with intention, commitment, and expression. A variety of styles could be covered from hip-hop to modern dance to musical theatre.
Film, TV, and Radio Techniques
This class, also known as “acting for everything but the stage,” will help students prepare and audition for TV, Film, and Radio spots. They’ll learn technical skills and terminology, make quick acting choices grounded in truth and display vulnerability in front of the camera and/or microphone. Students will be exposed to the various scripts used for these different genres and what’s expected when you walk into the room, or self-submit material. From cold reads to rehearsed sides, these students will be knowledgable and prepared.
Improvisation
Improvisation is about spontaneity and committing to choices in performance. Improvisation class will give students the tools to become creative, impulsive, and fearless as a young actor. Students will be asked to use their imagination while the teacher guides them through effective, energetic exercises tailored to provide the skills necessary to keep their performance alive and organic. Improvisation in grounded in spontaneity, however, there will be times, when more structure and planning will be incorporated.
Make-Up
This fun and exciting summer class will introduce students to the art of stage and film make-up application. Students will learn make-up application techniques for a camera ready look. This will include sanitation guidelines, preparing and caring for the skin, use of tools and brushes, product information and step order procedure. Students will also learn aging techniques and choose as a group one special effect look they would like to learn.
Monologue/Audition Technique
This class prepares students with a one to two minute theatre monologue (s) for performing arts programs, director showcases, agents and casting directors. Building on the tools learned in the Meisner Technique that "acting is doing," this workshop will help the students interpret text and use their emotional foundation to convey meaning and make an impact in a short amount of time.
Musical Theatre
Students combine skills learned in singing, dancing, and acting for this unique class. As an elective in the Saturday program, students write their own book to a musical they create based on shared, creative ideas. Songs used will come from Broadway, Pop, and the American Song Book. All students will learn the world of musical theatre under the guidance of a professional choreographer and musical director. Students will learn musical theatre terminology, protocol, and participate in solos, duets and/or chorus selections. Ensemble work is very important in this class. This class ends in performance.
Playwriting
This class will have students writing every week! Students will learn the foundations of playwriting, digging into storytelling, learning vocabulary and structure. Prompts will be given each class to initiate creativity and spontaneity in writing. Work will be shared weekly in a judge-free environment. Introduction to playwrights and book writers (musicals) will also be part of the curriculum. Students will amass a nice portfolio of work.
Singing
This class provides a warm, nurturing environment introducing the foundation of healthy singing - breath and alignment, placement and tone - so that students gain a deeper understanding of their own voice, while building confidence. We study the anatomy of the voice and establish warm up routines geared to the age of the students. This foundation is expanded upon with ear training exercises and games, explorations in phrasing and musical interpretation, and an introduction to music theory (touching on sight-reading, rhythm, dynamics, and notation). All of this is then applied to assigned music (solos, duets, or group numbers) in a way that connects technique to interpretation so students perform with ease and confidence. Fostering a love of music is key.
Stage Combat
Conflict is essential to dramatic circumstances, and physical conflict in theater, film, and television material is almost as common and necessary. A professional fight choreographer will instruct students in the vigorous and physical discipline of stage combat. The skills, terminology, and protocols used to execute physical conflict in performance will be covered. Junior Actors will be able to present their stage combat skills in a controlled and convincing way.
Voice Overs
Students will learn the unique skills required to be a voice-over actor. Actual scripts, known as commercial or voice over copy, will be read and analyzed. Relationship with the microphone is key to express the emotion of the text to fully convey meaning. Each student will bring his or her own unique style to this class.
Voice and Speech
Clarity and expression in the actor’s voice is essential. Students will learn physical and vocal exercises designed to build and maintain a strong, versatile vocal instrument. The teacher works students through both group and individual exercises designed to improve pronunciation, articulation, and projection. This class is often combined with the Alexander Technique.
Shakespeare
As the English language is commonly referred to as ‘the language of Shakespeare’, it is with pride that Junior Actors learn to perform scenes and soliloquies with clarity of expression and understanding of text. Students will learn to bring modern interpretations to classic works.
Sanford Meisner (Acting Faculty 1935-1990), an original member of the legendary Group Theatre, is considered one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century. His particularly approach to training actors developed into what is commonly known as The Meisner Technique. It is one of the foremost acting techniques taught all over the world, but nowhere more successfully than where it first began, here at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Students will participate in exercises that are crafted to give young actors the ability to live truthfully under given imaginary circumstances, which is the foundation of the work created by Mr. Meisner. This course is taught by senior faculty from the adult conservatory program - all of whom were trained to teach by Sanford Meisner.
Acting/Creative Drama
This course encourages imagination and creativity with a focus on improvisation, storytelling, and character development. Teachers will ask important questions to help students understand how their character fits into the given circumstances of a scene, play, or imaginary work. Theatre games and exercises are important to keep students active, in the moment, and "acting & reacting" to their classmates.
Acting a Song/Song Interpretation
Students will learn the technical terminology of music and the skills needed to perform a song with confidence and ease. Faculty will guide students through vocal exercises to warm them up to prepare for singing. Songs will be approached from the position of an actor with the logic, intention, and emotion behind the music & text being analyzed and then truthfully expressed. Students will work on interpretations of songs in a variety of combinations: solos, duets or trios, and group numbers. The group number will typically be taught in musical theatre style with staging. The difference between Acting a Song class and Song Interpretation is the material covered. Song Interpretation may deal with more intense subjects and is reserved for the older students.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique pays special attention to problems of posture, relaxation, and preparation as it relates to the actor. Frederick Matthias Alexander developed his exercises in the 1890s to help rid himself of harmful habits so that he could have stamina and vocal energy to perform Shakespeare. To this day it is used in many acting programs to help actors use their instrument (body and voice) strongly and vibrantly with the least amount of effort.
Audition Drills
Students in this class learn a variety of skills related to auditioning for the theatre. Whether an audition asks for a monologue, scene from a play or musical, a 16-bar cut of a song, or a combination of the three, students will learn to prepare for an audition based on the casting notice requirements as seen in the trades (i.e. Backstage, Actor's Access) or a posting for the school play. Audition protocol, terminology, and representative material will be discussed and practiced in this class. Techniques taught will help to build confidence in any professional situation: an interview, audition, presentation, or performance.
Dance/Movement for the Actor
Agility and range of physical motion are vital qualities for the actor. Dance is taught in all age groups and in all programs (Summer & Saturdays). The teacher works with each student on an individual level to refine their specific ability to dance and express through movement. The class will consist of warm-up, floor exercises, improv exercises, and dance combinations becoming more intricate and challenging as the students age through the program. Dance and movement will be approached as skills for the actor and emphasis will be placed on imbuing one’s movement with intention, commitment, and expression. A variety of styles could be covered from hip-hop to modern dance to musical theatre.
Film, TV, and Radio Techniques
This class, also known as “acting for everything but the stage,” will help students prepare and audition for TV, Film, and Radio spots. They’ll learn technical skills and terminology, make quick acting choices grounded in truth and display vulnerability in front of the camera and/or microphone. Students will be exposed to the various scripts used for these different genres and what’s expected when you walk into the room, or self-submit material. From cold reads to rehearsed sides, these students will be knowledgable and prepared.
Improvisation
Improvisation is about spontaneity and committing to choices in performance. Improvisation class will give students the tools to become creative, impulsive, and fearless as a young actor. Students will be asked to use their imagination while the teacher guides them through effective, energetic exercises tailored to provide the skills necessary to keep their performance alive and organic. Improvisation in grounded in spontaneity, however, there will be times, when more structure and planning will be incorporated.
Make-Up
This fun and exciting summer class will introduce students to the art of stage and film make-up application. Students will learn make-up application techniques for a camera ready look. This will include sanitation guidelines, preparing and caring for the skin, use of tools and brushes, product information and step order procedure. Students will also learn aging techniques and choose as a group one special effect look they would like to learn.
Monologue/Audition Technique
This class prepares students with a one to two minute theatre monologue (s) for performing arts programs, director showcases, agents and casting directors. Building on the tools learned in the Meisner Technique that "acting is doing," this workshop will help the students interpret text and use their emotional foundation to convey meaning and make an impact in a short amount of time.
Musical Theatre
Students combine skills learned in singing, dancing, and acting for this unique class. As an elective in the Saturday program, students write their own book to a musical they create based on shared, creative ideas. Songs used will come from Broadway, Pop, and the American Song Book. All students will learn the world of musical theatre under the guidance of a professional choreographer and musical director. Students will learn musical theatre terminology, protocol, and participate in solos, duets and/or chorus selections. Ensemble work is very important in this class. This class ends in performance.
Playwriting
This class will have students writing every week! Students will learn the foundations of playwriting, digging into storytelling, learning vocabulary and structure. Prompts will be given each class to initiate creativity and spontaneity in writing. Work will be shared weekly in a judge-free environment. Introduction to playwrights and book writers (musicals) will also be part of the curriculum. Students will amass a nice portfolio of work.
Singing
This class provides a warm, nurturing environment introducing the foundation of healthy singing - breath and alignment, placement and tone - so that students gain a deeper understanding of their own voice, while building confidence. We study the anatomy of the voice and establish warm up routines geared to the age of the students. This foundation is expanded upon with ear training exercises and games, explorations in phrasing and musical interpretation, and an introduction to music theory (touching on sight-reading, rhythm, dynamics, and notation). All of this is then applied to assigned music (solos, duets, or group numbers) in a way that connects technique to interpretation so students perform with ease and confidence. Fostering a love of music is key.
Stage Combat
Conflict is essential to dramatic circumstances, and physical conflict in theater, film, and television material is almost as common and necessary. A professional fight choreographer will instruct students in the vigorous and physical discipline of stage combat. The skills, terminology, and protocols used to execute physical conflict in performance will be covered. Junior Actors will be able to present their stage combat skills in a controlled and convincing way.
Voice Overs
Students will learn the unique skills required to be a voice-over actor. Actual scripts, known as commercial or voice over copy, will be read and analyzed. Relationship with the microphone is key to express the emotion of the text to fully convey meaning. Each student will bring his or her own unique style to this class.
Voice and Speech
Clarity and expression in the actor’s voice is essential. Students will learn physical and vocal exercises designed to build and maintain a strong, versatile vocal instrument. The teacher works students through both group and individual exercises designed to improve pronunciation, articulation, and projection. This class is often combined with the Alexander Technique.
Shakespeare
As the English language is commonly referred to as ‘the language of Shakespeare’, it is with pride that Junior Actors learn to perform scenes and soliloquies with clarity of expression and understanding of text. Students will learn to bring modern interpretations to classic works.
