Spring Session 2026

• Spring Session 2026 features in-person classes held at 30 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
• Students with financial need interested in scholarships should consult the Scholarships page for details on how to apply.
• Sliding scale tuition is available for our shorter classes. Please see the class list for details prior to registering.
• Students interested in the 50/50 Payment Plan, whereby half the total cost of tuition is paid at the time of registration and the second half on the first day of class, must enroll by phone. Please call (415) 439-2319 during weekday business hours. The 50/50 Payment Plan is not available when registering for a one-day class, or with a discount or other promotional code.
• It is not possible to visit 30 Grant Avenue outside of scheduled class times. However, the Melissa Yandell Smith Library is open—info and hours  at this link.  Studio A.C.T. students have access to the library for a full year after their last class.
• Questions? For any additional questions or concerns please visit our Studio FAQ page or email us at studio@act-sf.org.

Three Courses, Eight Classes each
Designed to be taken either individually, in succession, and/or repeatedly.

Acting 1, Acting 2, and Acting 3 are three different courses designed to be taken either individually or in succession. Each class may also be repeated to further solidify the student’s foundation in the practices learned. Together, these courses make up the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence, featuring the most prevalent training practices used by professional actors. These practices address awareness, truthful playing, use of language and physical action, psychology, emotion, and script analysis. Students will develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as action, objective, intention, obstacle, conflict, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.”

Refer to each class’s individual description for further details, including scheduling, tuition, and this session’s faculty.

The Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence is for you if:

• You have already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T. or have other introductory acting experience, and you wish to develop a more solid foundation in the most commonly utilized and effective acting practices.
• You’re interested in exploring acting as a serious interest alongside your other interests.
• You’re interested in either exploring or pursuing acting as a profession.

Please note: Since acting is a life practice, these courses are designed to be repeatable, emphasizing fluency over “quick fixes.” Students are occasionally encouraged to repeat levels before moving on to the next.

Eight Classes – Mondays – March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 18 as needed 

In this mid-level class, students will further their understanding of techniques for truthful acting. With a dual emphasis on pursuing actions and intentions alongside active listening and responding to scene partners, students will work on at least one monologue and one scene. Preparing outside of class is expected, and thorough preparation is essential. Students will receive constructive feedback, with the intention of expanding their ability to integrate receiving and offering feedback into their personal and collaborative process. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 2 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 2 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting and Acting 1 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You’ve taken some acting classes or acted in a play or two some years ago, and wish to reconnect to or resume your exploration of acting.
• You’re interested in the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and have already taken Acting 1.

Eight Classes – Mondays – March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 18 as needed

Students enrolled in this upper-level class will learn further practical strategies for rehearsing efficiently, collaborating effectively, pursuing actions and intentions, and bringing greater truth, spontaneity, and specificity to their acting through careful analysis of the script in rehearsals. Acting 3 requires memorization of at least one substantial scene and/or one monologue. Students are expected to prepare outside of class, and thorough preparation is essential. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is strongly recommended that students who register for Acting 3 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 3 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken both Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills.
• You’ve taken three or more acting classes and/or acted in one or two plays in the past few years, and wish to move your exploration of acting toward more intensive levels.
• You minored in theater as an undergraduate in college and wish to dive back in.
• You already have some acting experience, have a serious interest in exploring acting as a career, and wish to get a good “workout” to hone your acting muscles.

Eight Classes – Mondays – March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 18 as needed

This second-level On Camera Acting class builds on the foundations of our On Camera 1 class, offering deeper exploration into techniques for acting in and auditioning for commercials, film, TV, and self tapes. In this class, we’ll focus on expanding the actor’s range through multiple takes, exploring how subtle and specific choices can make performances more compelling and increase the actor’s chances of booking the role. Additionally, we’ll dive into the concept of coverage, examining how different camera angles and framing might affect the choices the actor makes on set. This comprehensive class will give students further confidence acting in front of a camera by empowering them through direct experience with selftapes, on-camera, mock callbacks, and performances. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all exercises and homework assignments.

Acting: On Camera Level 2 is for you if:

• You have already taken a full-length Acting: On Camera class at Studio A.C.T., or the equivalent elsewhere.
• You have already taken both Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalents elsewhere, and wish to expand your acting into the area of screen media.
• You are looking for more in-depth experience with acting and auditioning for commercials, TV, Film, and Corporate Industrials.
• You are pursuing actor training with seriousness, whether toward developing an on-camera career or otherwise.

NEW EXPANDED SCHEDULE:

Twelve Classes – Mar 23, 30; Apr 6, 13, 20, 22, 27, 29; May 4, 6, 11, 13*
*Mondays Mar 23 to April 13; Mondays & Wednesdays April 20 to May 13; Make up day May 18 as needed
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

This expanded, in-depth class provides training of the highest level in musical theatre performance offered at Studio A.C.T. Students will explore a range of material from the musical theatre canon, curated to highlight their unique talents and skills, culminating in a final in-process sharing for a small invited audience. Performance material will include a selection of solos, small group and ensemble songs, crafted into an entertaining night of music. The final evening’s program will be devised by the cohort, centered around a specific theme such as the work of an iconic musical theatre composer, a distinct era or a specific topic. Each student will receive individualized training in musicianship, acting through song, rehearsal techniques, collaborating in an ensemble, and performance skills.

NOTE – To provide the best possible experience, shortly before the first class we will contact registered students to request basic information about their past musical theater experience and what they understand to be their vocal range. Singers will need to prepare a solo to sing for the first night of class for vocal placement. Instructions will be sent on what to prepare once you have registered for the class.

Musical Theater 3 – Rehearsal & Performance is for you if:

• You have taken Musical Theater 1 and 2 here at Studio A.C.T., or similar classes elsewhere that would be deemed equivalent.
• You have had prior significant experience and training in Musical Theater in the past, but it’s been a while and you’d like to reboot.
• You are interested in developing your performance skills as a professional musical theater artist and wish to train in a fun environment that will both challenge and support your growth.
• As a musical theater artist, you feel able to train and collaborate intensively with an ensemble and sing solos in front of an audience.
• You are actively performing but still early in your career, and are looking for a collaborative space to work on your craft between gigs.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 19 as needed

This early-level acting class emphasizes imaginative play, ensemble-building, expanding creativity, strengthening self-confidence and self-discipline, memorization techniques, and strategies for successful collaboration. Through work on monologues and/or scenes from contemporary plays, students will begin to develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as intention, obstacle, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.” Course content will include memorization of short scenes and monologues, and students will be asked to prepare assignments outside of class. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 1 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 1 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T., or an equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You took an acting class or acted in a school play many years ago, and wish to reconnect to actor training.
• You’re wondering whether a career in acting is for you and wish to explore it actively.
• You’re interested in the full Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and are ready to start.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 19 as needed

In this mid-level class, students will further their understanding of techniques for truthful acting. With a dual emphasis on pursuing actions and intentions alongside active listening and responding to scene partners, students will work on at least one monologue and one scene. Preparing outside of class is expected, and thorough preparation is essential. Students will receive constructive feedback, with the intention of expanding their ability to integrate receiving and offering feedback into their personal and collaborative process. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 2 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 2 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting and Acting 1 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You’ve taken some acting classes or acted in a play or two some years ago, and wish to reconnect to or resume your exploration of acting.
• You’re interested in the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and have already taken Acting 1.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 19 as needed

This repeatable course is open to students of all experience levels and designed to accommodate each student at their individual level of experience. The Alexander Technique is among the most widely practiced performance-related techniques in the world. The work is intended to address issues pertaining to the practitioner's bodily alignment, efficiency of movement, and redistribution of tension. Students will practice means of recognizing and undoing habitual patterns that get in the way of natural movement, voice production, and creativity. They will become more deeply present in themselves and in the world by accessing their innate power and flexibility. Issues of performance and performance anxiety will also be addressed. Alexander Technique is a perfect companion to all other Studio A.C.T. courses.

Alexander Technique is for you if:

• You feel limited by the way you move. 
• You want to have more vocal flexibility and power. 
• You want to be able to notice what is occurring in the moment and have the choice to transform yourself.
• You’ve never taken an Alexander Technique course before and want a thorough introduction. 
• You have had experience with Alexander in the past, but it’s been a while and you wish to reconnect. 
• You have substantial experience with Alexander and are hungry for a workout.

Eight Classes – Tuesdays – March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 19 as needed

This class is designed to help participants develop a solid foundational understanding, practical fluency, and sense of confidence with their ability to use their full voice and to speak with greater clarity. Through group exercises and guided individual work on texts of their own choosing, participants will learn practical techniques to develop a richer, stronger, and more versatile speaking voice. This repeatable course is open to students of all experience levels and is designed to accommodate each student at their individual level of experience.

Voice & Speech Workout is for you if:

• You are an actor who wishes to improve your ability to speak text with greater clarity, variety, and richness.
• You are not an actor, but your job requires public speaking and you wish to strengthen your clarity of speech and confidence in speaking.
• You are a person who enjoys language and wishes to have a practical, enlivening experience with it.

Eight Classes – Wednesdays – March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 20 as needed

This early-level acting class emphasizes imaginative play, ensemble-building, expanding creativity, strengthening self-confidence and self-discipline, memorization techniques, and strategies for successful collaboration. Through work on monologues and/or scenes from contemporary plays, students will begin to develop a working understanding of common practical concepts such as intention, obstacle, tactic, motivation, stakes, and acting “beats.” Course content will include memorization of short scenes and monologues, and students will be asked to prepare assignments outside of class. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 1 also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Acting 1 is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Intro to Acting at Studio A.C.T., or an equivalent elsewhere, and wish to continue exploring acting.
• You took an acting class or acted in a school play many years ago, and wish to reconnect to actor training.
• You’re wondering whether a career in acting is for you and wish to explore it actively.
• You’re interested in the full Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence and are ready to start.

IT’S BACK!

Eight Classes – Wednesdays – March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 20 as needed

We’re happy to offer this popular class again, in an expanded 2.5-hour format. Activating Character helps students connect their voice with their body, to more truthfully activate and express the psychology and emotions of the variety of characters an actor might play. It’s about getting your own self-critical voice out of your head, and your character’s voice into your body, forging authentic and dynamic connections between yourself and your character. Through a variety of enlivening and rigorous exercises, students will learn to free their voice and breath, activate their full body, be open to the emotions that are kindled as a result, and channel the sometimes intense emotions that plays ask of us in a way that is both dramatically effective and personally healthy.

Activating Character is for you if:

• You are an experienced actor looking for a solid voice and body workout.
• You are an actor with some experience who wishes to strengthen the connection between your voice and body.
• You have taken Acting 1 or Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to begin bringing a greater awareness of your voice and body to your acting.

Eight Classes – Wednesdays – March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 20 as needed

This class introduces students to the art and craft of acting in a playful, encouraging, collaborative atmosphere. Through fun and engaging exercises, students will work on strengthening self-confidence, overcoming performance anxiety, improving focus and concentration, connecting with others through trust-building games and active listening, understanding “stage presence,” and opening their imaginations to playing characters. Because actor training is also life training, students can expect to find new, deeper connections to their own and others’ creativity, unlocking profound layers of empathy through character exploration. Particular emphasis will be given to transferable skills, such as expanding the imagination, collaborating effectively, speaking and presenting without anxiety, and supporting others’ growth. Students will be asked to prepare simple assignments outside of class, including memorizing short texts. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Intro to Acting also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Intro to Acting is for you if:

• You’ve never studied acting before, are curious about acting, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to explore it. 
• You’ve done a bit of acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with your creative impulses. 
• You’re shy and looking for an experience to help you emerge from your shell. 
• You believe you’re “not that creative,” and wish to be proven otherwise

IT’S BACK!
Five Classes – Wednesdays – March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day April 29 as needed

When many of us hear “drag” we might think of RuPaul’s Drag Race or the film La Cage aux Folles. But drag is so much more than those incarnations! Drag is theater and dance, blissful escapism and timely political satire, self-expression and community celebration. And drag is everywhere. In our daily lives—at work, parties, walking down the street—we might don the drag of the roles expected of us, or the drag of who we aspire to be, transforming our inner selves through outer appearance. Like actors, drag performers find authenticity in the glee of artifice, expressing our true selves through the immediacy of physicality, voice, and the visual panache of costume and make-up. In this class, we will explore the core practical techniques of drag performance—including lip-synching, D.I.Y. costuming, character creation—as well as the social and political motivations of drag performance as both celebration and social commentary. The class welcomes people of all gender identities, physical abilities, and performance persuasions.

Intro to Drag – That's Right I Said Drag! is for you if: 

NEW CLASS!

Six Classes – Thursdays – April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 14 as needed

Need a good laugh right about now, but don’t want to forget why you need a good laugh? Satire is for you! Satire is a broad genre of comedy that asks us to think while we laugh. A new addition to our popular six-evening Acting 3.5 series, this upper-level class offers students who have already taken Acting 3 (or equivalent, see below) the opportunity to lean into more intensive scene study work—specifically in the comedic genre of satire. Students will explore practices for detailed script analysis, in preparation for working with characters and scenes on their feet. Approaches toward pursuing actions and intentions, and bringing greater truth, spontaneity, and detailed nuance to acting will be explored, taking into consideration the specific demands of satirical comedy. Acting 3.5 Satire requires memorization of at least one substantial scene. Students are expected to prepare outside of class, and thorough preparation is essential. Students should expect to actively participate in all activities and must be available to attend all six class sessions. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Acting 3.5 Satire also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course. 

Acting 3.5 Satire – Comedy with Bite! is for you if: 

• You’ve already taken Acting 1, Acting 2, and Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to move your exploration of acting toward more nuanced levels.
• You are an intermediate or advanced acting student who wishes to explore acting practices related to comedy and satire.
• You are an intermediate or advanced acting student who wishes to explore more detailed practices for script and character analysis.
• You have a serious interest in exploring acting as a career, and wish to get a good intensive “workout” to hone your acting, script analysis, and comic chops.

Eight Classes – Thursdays – March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 21 as needed

With a goal to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” this upper-level course challenges students to dive deeper into an exploration of their acting instrument and craft, using instincts and emotional impulses. Students will participate in a series of specific improvisational exercises developed by Sanford Meisner, designed to hone focus, deepen engagement, and facilitate an embrace of the “reality of doing.” Along the way, each student will learn to recognize, mine, and craft from the genuine impulses within themselves the vital elements which motivate their moment-to-moment actions onstage. Meisner Technique is one of the most popular, effective, and widely used techniques in American acting.

Acting: Meisner Technique is for you if: 

• You’ve already taken both Acting 2 and Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalent elsewhere, and wish to explore the techniques specific to the Sanford Meisner tradition.
• You are an intermediate or advanced acting student who wishes to bring greater truth and responsiveness to their acting.
• You have had an introductory experience to Meisner Technique already, and wish to enrich your understanding of technique in practice.

Eight Classes – Thursdays – March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 21 as needed

This class introduces students to the art and craft of acting in a playful, encouraging, collaborative atmosphere. Through fun and engaging exercises, students will work on strengthening self-confidence, overcoming performance anxiety, improving focus and concentration, connecting with others through trust-building games and active listening, understanding “stage presence,” and opening their imaginations to playing characters. Because actor training is also life training, students can expect to find new, deeper connections to their own and others’ creativity, unlocking profound layers of empathy through character exploration. Particular emphasis will be given to transferable skills, such as expanding the imagination, collaborating effectively, speaking and presenting without anxiety, and supporting others’ growth. Students will be asked to prepare simple assignments outside of class, including memorizing short texts. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to actively participate in all games and exercises. Though not required, it is recommended that students who register for Intro to Acting also register for a Studio A.C.T. Voice or Physical course.

Intro to Acting is for you if:

• You’ve never studied acting before, are curious about acting, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to explore it. 
• You’ve done a bit of acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with your creative impulses. 
• You’re shy and looking for an experience to help you emerge from your shell. 
• You believe you’re “not that creative,” and wish to be proven otherwise

Five Classes – Thursdays – March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day April 30 as needed

This extended introductory intensive, appropriate for actors and non-actors alike, will help you refine your ability to speak English-language text in a dialect from anywhere in the world. When speaking or acting with a dialect that is not our own, authenticity depends upon specificity, and this class will provide practical tools to help you make your sounds and phrasing specific to any region. You will also begin to experience how a clearly articulated dialect can enhance your ability to convey intentions, something true in both acting and life. Memorizing and performing material from plays, films, poetry, or novels is required, and preparatory work outside of class should be expected. Students should plan to attend all class sessions and expect to actively participate in all exercises.

Intro to Dialects Extended Intensive is for you if:

• You are interested in how speech and dialects reflect a given person’s cultural and regional background.
• You wish to expand your practical ability to speak in varying dialects, to best be understood in a variety of stage, film or other contexts.
• You are an actor relatively new to dialect work and want an introduction to practices for developing new dialects.
• You are an actor with past experience working with dialects, but it’s been a while, and you want to refine your ear and your process for learning dialects.
• You have a specific performance on the horizon that requires a dialect of you, and you want to make a thorough study of it and of processes for learning dialects.

Eight Classes – Thursdays – March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14*
6:30–9:00 p.m.
*Make up day May 21 as needed 

Ready to roll with the punches? This class will introduce you to fundamental techniques for creating the illusion of violence onstage that is both safe and convincing. Emphasizing safety, storytelling, and partnering, this class explores the most commonly used unarmed stage combat techniques, including fighting with found objects and comedic violence. Actors whose résumés include stage combat techniques have an advantage when auditioning for productions involving theatrical violence. Also, stage combat is fun!

Unarmed Stage Combat is for you if:

• You are an actor who wishes to expand your stage combat skill set.
• You are a person who is not an actor but wishes to explore a fun, creative, and empowering mind-body practice.
• You enjoy combining physical and intellectual challenges in creative ways.
• You are an actor who wishes to enhance your résumé with unarmed stage combat.

Tuition for our Spring Session shorter classes is priced on a sliding scale to better accommodate the variety of financial circumstances among our many students. You may select your tuition when registering. 

Why sliding scale? 

Your class tuition supports everything that goes into making Studio A.C.T. possible within the vibrant ecosystem of American Conservatory Theater, from paying faculty and staff a fair wage, to maintaining our studio spaces, to getting the word out about what we do. We respect every dollar you pay for your classes, and consider your tuition a key contribution in support of our mission to provide an engaging, energizing, creative space for all.

Why sliding scale for shorter classes, but not full-length classes?

We first piloted our sliding-scale pricing during the December 2024 weeklong Inter-Session. It went very well! However, the limitations of our enrollment software make administering it challenging, as the system was not designed to accommodate a sliding-scale option. Hopefully the software developers will eventually add this option. In the meantime, limiting our sliding-scale class selections to the handful of shorter classes allows us to provide the option in a manageable way.

Are scholarships still available for shorter classes?

Yes! Scholarships are still available for shorter classes. The percentage requested will be taken from the top tuition price. Please visit our Scholarships page for details on how to apply.

One class, Sunday, March 29
1:00–4:00 p.m.

This one-day Check-In is designed for both working actors and those preparing to jump into the on-camera industry. Whether you are between gigs, polishing your self-tape technique, or just looking to reconnect with your craft, this Check-In offers a supportive space to ask questions, brush up on skills, run scene work, and share industry resources. It's also a chance to build community with fellow professionals and stay sharp in an ever-evolving market. Come ready to collaborate and leave feeling reinvigorated and set to start the New Year with some momentum!

This one-day On-Camera Acting Check-In is for you if:

• You’re a working or early-career on-camera actor and want a chance to check in on process and industry questions that have been coming up for you recently.
• You’ve taken On-Camera Level 1 and/or Level 2 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and want a night to check in on process and your lingering or new industry questions.
• You want a night to touch base with your practical on-camera acting techniques, free from the pressure of an actual audition or film/commercial shoot.

One class – Sunday – April 12
1:00–4:00 p.m. 

What’s the difference between an agent and a casting director? Do I need to join a union? What information goes on an actor’s resume? How do I spot a casting scam? In this one-day class, previously offered online but now in person, students and actors of all levels will learn about the tools an actor needs to look for work, gain an understanding of the casting process for stage and on-camera work, and identify a unique action item for the next step in their acting career. Everyone will leave the class with a list of resources for further exploration. 

Your Acting Career Workshop is for you if:

• You have questions about acting as a business.
• You want to create effective relationships with agents and casting directors.
• You want to have a professional resume that meets industry standards for theater and film casting.

One class – Sunday – April 19
12:00–5:00 p.m.

This one-day class introduces you to the basic fundamentals of acting on camera, using short scenes drawn from existing film and television scripts. Participants will explore the principles of truthful on-camera acting and learn practical techniques particular to acting on camera versus onstage.

This one-day Intro to On-Camera Acting class is for you if:

• You’ve already taken Acting 1 and Acting 2 at Studio A.C.T., or their equivalents elsewhere.
• You have past acting experience but not with on-camera acting, are curious about acting on camera, and want an unintimidating but engaging opportunity to introduce yourself to it.
• You’ve done a bit of on-camera acting in the past, but it’s been a while and you’re hungry to get back in touch with acting on camera. 

One class – Sunday – April 19
1:00–4:00 p.m.

This one-day class explores how physical staging works alongside dialogue to convey character psychology and a play’s story and themes. Relationships between characters are expressed by how they stand in relation to one another. The timing of when actors move and are still reveals subtext and intention. The smallest gesture sometimes reveals as much, or more, than the longest monologue. In this sense, staging is a form of dramatic writing. What we see impacts what we hear, and vice versa. In this class we will work both at the table and on our feet to explore practical means of devising dynamic, impactful staging that expresses psychology and story.

Please Note: Students should come dressed comfortably for movement, and with a notebook and writing utensil.

Directing: Staging as Storytelling is for you if:      

• You are an actor, director, or playwright interested in how staging can contribute to storytelling in theater.
• You are curious about the relationship between a director’s homework and work done in the room with actors, and how to strike an effective, collaborative balance between planning and spontaneity when staging a play.
• You are interested in collaborative ways to rehearse that allow actors, directors, and playwrights to work together to create a unified staging for a production.

One Class – Sunday – April 26
1:00–5:00 p.m.

What do I do with my hands? It’s the classic actor question. And then there’s the rest of your body too! This one-day class approaches movement as a means of bold expression. Through exercises that bridge speaking and movement, this class will introduce you to practical techniques for feeling greater confidence, strength, and freedom while acting. We will explore your physical, spontaneous, and creative responsiveness to text, empowering you to feel more at home and at ease in your body.

Note – Students must bring in a text of their choice for use in class, strictly no longer than 1 minute in length. The text can be from a film or theater monologue, a poem, whatever speaks to you most, and must be fully memorized.

Bold Movement for Actors is for you if:

• You are an actor or other performer who wants to feel more comfortable and bolder in their body while speaking on stage.
• You are someone who wishes to strengthen the creative connections between their mind and body.
• You want a creative physical workout that will strengthen your body and your confidence.
• You are an actor who wishes to expand their physical awareness and responsiveness.
• You are a dancer or choreographer looking to expand the dramatic, theatrical aspects of your skills.

One Class – Sunday – May 3
1:00–5:00 p.m.

Heightened language is an exciting dramatic tool found in a wide range of genres—comedies, tragedies, even Marvel superhero and fantasy movies! If Shakespeare were alive today, they would probably be a rapper, indie film director, or slam poet—all of which use heightened language. Studying heightened language can improve anyone's acting, not just those who want to study the classics; because it's also an exploration of heightened expression—painting more vivid pictures in the imagination, summoning deeper emotions and ideas, and giving voice to greater truths. In this introductory class, students will explore ways to bring truth, spontaneity, and specificity to their acting through language.

Acting: Intro to Heightened Language is for you if:

• You have taken some acting classes before, such as Acting 1 or 2 at Studio A.C.T. or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to explore practices specific to heightened language.
• You are an intermediate or advanced acting student who wishes to bring greater verbal panache to your acting.
• You are an actor who is curious about heightened language and wants an opportunity to introduce yourself to it.
• You are pursuing actor training with seriousness, whether toward a career, as a passionate interest, or otherwise.

One Class – Sunday – May 17 
12:00–5:00 p.m.

This unique, one-day introductory class brings together two essential disciplines actors encounter regularly in theater—Stage Combat, whereby physical violence is staged to appear real while being physically safe to perform; and Intimacy Choreography, whereby moments of physical intimacy are staged to appear real while being emotionally safe to perform. Both disciplines require exceptional collaborative and communication skills, combining an awareness of physical and emotional safety with an eye toward creating artistically exciting moments on stage. Practices for negotiating Consent are paired with practical methods of creating physical stagings, placing value on both the physical and emotional demands of crafting and performing challenging dramatic moments on stage.

Note – This class involves physical exercises designed to support actors working together in direct physical contact with one another. Nobody will be required to engage in any physical contact they are not comfortable with.

This one-day Intimacy Choreography & Stage Combat workshop is for you if:

• You are an actor, director, stage manager, or teaching artist who wishes to further their understanding, confidence, and skill around staging physically vulnerable moments.
• You wish to expand your understanding and use of Consent as a creative practice in rehearsal and performance situations.
• You want tools to help you contribute to making a safe and inspiring working environment for yourself and others.