The Fundamentals of an HB acting technique: Here, you develop the ability to respond truthfully, dynamically, and vividly with fellow actors and the ability to access sensory elements. You tap into the power of imagination and the reservoir of memory. You gain a working understanding of the terms: previous circumstances, destination, inner and outer objects, intentions, obstacles, and conflicts. You develop an awareness of the power, function, and dynamics of “place”, and learn to be in a state of discovery, which leads to actions. You develop tools of research and observation and you get comfortable improvising. You begin to measure yourself against professional standards and develop habits of discipline and a strong work ethic. Do understand that these practices take time to master. It takes about a year (20-30 weeks) at this level to really own the skills addressed. Further scene study or performance work will then take root in this fertile ground. 

• Learn more about the instructor. 
• Required reading: A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen.
• Recommended viewing: Uta Hagen's Acting Class documentary. 
• Prerequisite: Open to all.

For artists who are interested in developing their own projects, this is an independent class working solo or with a partner on an independent study project that you devise, under the guidance of HB faculty, Snezhana Chernova. Examples of projects include: Writing a screenplay/play, doing a podcast, doing a live stream performance series, monologues or scenes, creating a TV pilot, writing music, shooting a documentary or short/feature film, writing poetry etc. You must submit an application at this link for review and approval prior to registering. Within the application you will be asked to include a work-plan, proposed outcome, and the estimated number of hours required to complete the project. Creative projects might be shared in public presentations at the end of the term and/or on HB Studio’s social media channels. Undertaking this Lab requires a commitment to check-ins with the instructor and weekly 2.5 hour group meetings to report objectives, progress, trouble shoot, present projects, and exchange ideas. An additional one-on-one 30 minute session with the instructor may be held each week. This Independent Study Project Lab requires a commitment of 4 hours per week.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Prerequisite: Application required. Apply online.

You apply advanced lessons in technique and text analysis to the preparation, rehearsal, and presentation of scenes from a range of contemporary and classic plays. The work may incorporate Modern (19th/early 20th century) and Classical texts, as well as heightened, non-linear, experimental and Contemporary material. Scenes are presented in class for critique, then reworked to explore and apply feedback. Extensive research, preparation, and rehearsal are expected outside of class. Skills: understanding and realizing the event of the scene; layering conscious and unconscious behavior; applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside your comfort zone; transformation of self. Through extensive examination, research, and experiment, you discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play. Expected rehearsal time outside of class: 6+ hours / week

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Prerequisite: Open to Acting Level 3 and up. New to HB? Submit online for level placement.

Esta clase, impartida en español, es un curso de nivel combinado (Niveles 1 y 2). Está basada en la técnica de Uta Hagen y diseñada para guiar a los actores en el proceso de preparación y ensayo de textos dramáticos. A través del trabajo de escenas, monólogos y soliloquios, los estudiantes aplicarán los Seis Pasos de Hagen mientras fortalecen herramientas esenciales como objetos internos, sustituciones, transferencias, atribuciones sensoriales y el desarrollo del personajes. Los estudiantes trabajarán con escenas de obras hispanas contemporáneas y clásicas, transitando por un ciclo creativo de descubrimiento, investigación, experimentación y refinamiento. En clase, los actores presentarán su trabajo, recibirán notas y continuarán explorando el arco completo del material—incluyendo el entorno, la partitura física, la vida emocional y las motivaciones—para dar vida a cada escena con honestidad, especificidad y riesgo creativo. Se podrán incorporar ejercicios de técnica según sea necesario para abordar desafíos actorales específicos. Se espera de los estudiantes un compromiso de ensayo con sus compañeros fuera de clase, con una dedicación estimada de 2 a 3 horas semanales de preparación.

• Aprende más sobre el instructor.
• Libro necesario para el curso: Un Reto Para El Actor (Artes Escénicas) by Uta Hagen.
• Requisito previo: El curso está abierto a actores hispanohablantes de todos los niveles, así como a aquellos para quienes el español es una segunda lengua y desean profundizar su capacidad para actuar en español

For professional performers who desire to return to, or maintain an ongoing relationship with a dynamic and fertile state of learning. The goal: to use the specifics of language, action, subtext, circumstance, and relationships in order to connect with the work at the deepest most personal level. You are encouraged to push boundaries with the aim of building ever more complex characters and situations, allowing and exploring what is powerfully, unexpectedly revealed. Expected rehearsal time outside of class: 6+ hours / week

• Learn more about the instructor
• Prerequisite: Open to Acting Level Studio Practice (Level 4). New to HB? Submit online for level placement.

The Fundamentals of an HB acting technique: Here, you develop the ability to respond truthfully, dynamically, and vividly with fellow actors and the ability to access sensory elements. You tap into the power of imagination and the reservoir of memory. You gain a working understanding of the terms: previous circumstances, destination, inner and outer objects, intentions, obstacles, and conflicts. You develop an awareness of the power, function, and dynamics of “place”, and learn to be in a state of discovery, which leads to actions. You develop tools of research and observation and you get comfortable improvising. You begin to measure yourself against professional standards and develop habits of discipline and a strong work ethic. Do understand that these practices take time to master. It takes about a year (20-30 weeks) at this level to really own the skills addressed. Further scene study or performance work will then take root in this fertile ground. 

• Learn more about the instructor. 
• Recommended viewing: Uta Hagen's Acting Class documentary. 
• Prerequisite: Open to all.

For actors who have English as a second language. The question “How do I make these words my own?” is at the core of the actor’s craft. If you are speaking English as a second language, you may encounter additional stumbling blocks like getting stuck in “translator” mode, feeling emotionally disconnected from the language, and fearing being misunderstood. This course is designed to help you bridge the gap between the text and the self by unlocking the full expressive power of the language skills you already possess. The class guides you through activities to fully access your natural and learned language tools so that you can express yourself more freely, listen more intently and contribute more meaningfully in English. Voice and movement exercises will uncover the expressive musicality and physical experience of embodied language. Through text analysis, table reading, and guided rehearsal, you explore the vocabulary, grammar, subtext and context of a given script. The goal is to develop your language skills on multiple levels with a focus on improving your ability to perform in English. All of this serves the actor’s calling to make meaningful connections with others through collaborative dialogue.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Prerequisite: Prior completion of one full term (10 weeks) of Speech 1.

Monologues are strange. On paper, they look like big chunks of words. On stage, they should be the furthest thing from that. They are part of the backbone of some classical plays. They are common in many contemporary plays. They are nonexistent in others. They can be a character's fantasy, an admission to an audience, or just a long speech as part of a dialogue. Irrespective of what shape or form they take, monologues always seem to find their way into an actors' life: beginning actors almost always need them as audition tools and working actors always stumble upon them in one project or another. But how can one believably speak for so long? How does an actor thread their thoughts in a long speech? How do we as actors honor our given circumstances while staying engaged and driven? How can we keep them fresh? And most importantly, how can we reveal ourselves through them? This class is dedicated to help you throughout the whole monologue process, from choosing the right piece, to navigating its technical and emotional requirements, to creating maximum impact in the room.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Prerequisite: Open to all