Summer Session #2 Classes

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 in order to further solidify the student’s foundation in the practices learned. Together, these courses comprise the Studio A.C.T. Acting 1–3 Sequence, and feature 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, obstacle, conflict, tactic, intention, motivation, trigger, target, 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.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all faculty and students, Studio A.C.T. will adhere to the most updated safety precautions recommended by San Francisco, county and state guidance in effect at the time of classes.* These policies are subject to change. Our standard withdrawal and refund policies apply. 

Showing proof of vaccination is no longer required for Studio A.C.T. students. Masks are welcome but not required for all faculty and students while indoors at 30 Grant Avenue. This mask policy will be in effect when CDC COVID-19 Bay Area case levels are rated as "low." When levels are rated as "medium" or higher, masks will be required for all. CDC COVID-19 Regional Case Levels can be accessed at this link: COVID data tracker 

*Some additional precautions may apply in consideration of the wide range of students, staff and artists using our facilities, including young children, adults of every age, and professional artists whose unions maintain specific COVID precautionary measures. We appreciate your participation in upholding our safety precautions. 

For further information or any other specific questions about Studio A.C.T. in-person classes with regard to COVID-19 precautions, please email us at studio@act-sf.org

This course explores the art of acting in a playful, encouraging, collaborative atmosphere, and offers a dynamic and engaging introduction to the craft of acting and theater. 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 may 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 – Mon to Fri – Aug 5 to 9

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Want to move with greater confidence, strength, and freedom? This one-week class approaches movement as a means of bold expression. Students will explore and expand their physical, spontaneous, and creative responsiveness. Drawing on a range of practices, from yoga, contemporary dance, and physical theater, this class will give students practical tools to empower themselves through movement.

Bold Movement is for you if:

• You are someone who wishes to strengthen the creative connections between their mind and body.
• You are someone who wants a creative physical workout that will strengthen both 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 work.

*This class is currently full.  If you would like to get onto the waitlist, please email us at studio@act-sf.org with your request and the best phone number to reach you at, in case a spot opens up.

One day – Sunday – August 11

1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Conveying truly authentic emotion in performance can be among the most daunting aspects of acting. Often the characters we play are grappling with emotional circumstances that people grapple with in life. Playing these characters truthfully is a way to respect and to honor these real-life emotional experiences. If not done with care, it can also take a toll on the actor. When playing emotionally vulnerable characters, how can we access our own true emotions, share them on stage repeatedly each week or get there quickly when working in film, in a way that is healthy and sustainable? In this one-day class with legendary Bay Area actor, director, teacher, and artistic director of the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Margo Hall, students will learn practical techniques for accessing their own inherent emotional power in order to craft truthful performances. Every actor is a human being with a wealth of stories inside, from both their personal experiences and the ancestors they carry with them. Margo Hall—known for her powerful stage and film performances, her fierce intelligence and wit, and her commitment to truth—creates a supportive environment for actors to tap into their true selves and so also the truth of the characters they play.

Please Note: For this one-day, in-person class, students should come prepared with a fully memorized monologue that they are passionate to speak, yet find emotionally challenging. For the best experience, it is important the monologue be fully and fluently memorized.

Acting: Tapping Into The Power of Emotional Truth is for you if:

• You wish to develop practical tools for accessing truthful emotion in performance that are repeatable, dependable, and emotionally safe for you personally.
• You want your performances of emotionally vulnerable characters to honor the real-life experiences they depict by handling them utterly truthfully.
• You’ve taken Acting 2 or Acting 3 at Studio A.C.T., or equivalents elsewhere, and wish to continue advancing your acting skills in the area of truthful emotion.