The extremely practical acting exercises found in Uta Hagen’s world-famous books, Respect for Acting and A Challenge for the Actor, probe the depths and heights of human behavior. They offer the actor a structure for lifelong practice exploring the dynamic interaction between sensory/emotional experience and the creative imagination. Uta Hagen’s approach to acting works. She challenges the actor to develop skills continually. She offers avenues of creativity that, with an open imagination and expanding sense of self, are unlimited. Her ongoing process of self-observation and self-discovery fortifies your ability to respond truthfully, dynamically, and vividly with fellow actors, releasing unpremeditated truthful behavior in performance. Over time, you find yourself creatively alive and present in the process. Held at HB Studio, the birthplace of the Hagen exercises.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Required reading: A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen.
• Prerequisite: Open to all. 

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.

This class for teenagers, ages 14-17, builds on the basics of the “Game of Make Believe” introduced in Acting for Young People, starting from improvisations and moving into work on scenes. You will discover how to use yourself, your experiences and imagination to create a character in a play or story. Your belief and whole-hearted commitment to the circumstances of the play make it real for the audience. In an atmosphere of creative play and self-discovery, you will come to understand and experience the level of preparation and discipline you will need to try for a place in the professional theater. We will learn how to prepare for auditions, do monologues, improvisations. Please bring a monologue to your first class.

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• Prerequisite: Open to All (ages 14-17)

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

Whether for an audition or a role that you have already landed, the ability to deliver a captivating Shakespearean monologue is essential to performing the Bard's work. In this five week workshop, through monologues and soliloquies from Shakespeare’s plays, you'll learn how to liberate the poetry and feeling in yourself by using the essentials of classic drama -- rhythm, structure, passion, and ideas. We will mine the text for the specific sensorial and emotionally charged details that can stimulate lively, immediate, and grounded acting choices. As you rehearse your monologues in front of others, we will focus on the crucial process of building and revealing character. Combining the artificed rigor of verse with an unparalleled naturalism, Shakespeare urges us and teaches us how to become the complete actor.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• For the first day: Come prepared with a Shakespeare monologue of your choosing.
• Prerequisite: Open to all.

Step into your full presence—onstage and off. Embody the Moment is a transformative 5-week actor movement workshop designed to help you release fear, quiet inner tension, and unlock authentic expression through the body. Combining Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement, guided visualization, breath work, energy balancing, and reflective journaling, each session invites you to slow down, tune in, and rediscover the power of embodied awareness. This process-oriented journey will support you in releasing fear and anxiety stored in the body; unwinding habitual patterns of tension; rebalancing your energetic and emotional state; cultivating grounded presence and emotional availability; and accessing a more intuitive connection to character and impulse. Whether you’re preparing for the stage, screen, or simply seeking to move through the world with more ease and confidence, this workshop offers tools for sustainable growth, energetic alignment, and creative expansion. No prior Feldenkrais or energy work experience required—just a willingness to explore, breathe, and be.

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• Wardrobe: Comfortable movement clothing; layers (bring a sweater or long-sleeve top to stay warm); non-slip socks or bare feet. Optional: A light scarf or eye covering
• Materials: Yoga mat or padded mat; journal or notebook; pen or pencil; reusable water bottle; small blanket or shawl
• Optional but Recommended: A small pillow or bolster; essential oil or calming scent
• Prerequisite: Open to All

Singing and the ability to use the voice as an expressive instrument are an essential part of your skill set as an actor. Most actors will be called upon to sing at some point, regardless of whether your interests and talents run to musical theater. The study and practice of singing enhances your sense of musical form, pitch, rhythm, and language, and brings greater freedom, range and timbre to the speaking voice. Level 1 Singing is open to all — from total beginners to those who want to reinforce basic technique or strengthen your vocal instrument. The focus is on freeing, developing and strengthening the voice. Exercises emphasize relaxation and the most effective use of breath, an even use of the voice throughout the range, and awareness of how the entire body contributes to the production of sound. Level 1 will incorporate group and individual exercises, and work on songs of different genres. (Accompanist provided.)

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

Weapons training for actors. Learn how to sword fight for stage and screen. Practice safety protocols for working with prop guns on set. Expand your special skills as an actor training with the Sordelet, Inc. team, who bring decades of experience and expertise in the field of safely creating extraordinary fight scenes with weapons.

• Learn more about the instructor.
• Registration Prerequisite: Some stage combat experience recommended but not required.