What does your character want from the other characters? What past scars are driving that desire? When do you gain ground in the scene, when do you lose it? Scene Study with Fred Weller is a scene-structure-forward class, in which you will dive into great scenes and learn acting by doing it. Fred has worked with many great actors (Meryl Streep, Liev Schreiber, Denzel Washington) and great directors (Joe Mantello, Anna Shapiro, George Lucas) and draws from 40 years experience as a working actor to teach you hands-on skills that will empower and liberate you as an actor right away. Freedom stems from understanding what you’re doing in the scene at any given moment. We will also examine the work of great actors and explore the common denominators that make them great. Get better now.

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• Prerequisite: Open to all

An introduction to the process of preparing and rehearsing a scripted text. Using Uta Hagen’s six steps as a guide, you will work to find authentic inner connection to the character’s details and circumstances and to choose truthful, effective and lively actions. A commitment to rehearse with partners outside of class is required.

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

An introduction to the process of preparing and rehearsing a scripted text. Using Uta Hagen’s six steps as a guide, you will work to find authentic inner connection to the character’s details and circumstances and to choose truthful, effective and lively actions. A commitment to rehearse with partners outside of class is required.

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• Prerequisite: Open to all; English proficiency is required.

Held online via Zoom: This class is oriented to helping the trained actor develop a set of tools for building a character. Acting is doing. The major question is: “What do I DO to get what I want?” The structure of this class is based on Uta Hagen’s brilliant Physical Destination Exercise. The actor will discover the profound depth of the Destination Exercise and will learn how it can provide the actor with the necessary foundation for living truthfully under the given circumstances on stage or in front of a camera. You will learn through the application and exploration of the Destination Exercise, and possibly the other exercises, how to use these methods towards finding the emotional core of the character and most importantly how to play moment to moment. We will start by working individually on Uta Hagen’s Destination exercise to establish the fundamental understanding of this base exercise. (Actors that have studied the Hagen exercises before can combine exercises.) In the following sessions, we will work on the Destination Exercise set in the context of an assigned character of a scene. You will be asked to re-work this exercise taking in consideration all the text analysis that will take place in class. The destination exercise will become our tool to embody not only our character but also all the text analysis that will happen during class. Finally, we will move into scene work and possibly applying Double Destinations (guided paired improvisations using Hagen’s exercises) in the context of the assigned scenes. Our final purpose is to build a bridge between the acquired technique and the scene work. Students will be assigned specific scenes and characters as well as the Destination exercise.  Students must meet for rehearsal via zoom outside of class at least once before bringing work to class (preferably a minimum of two rehearsals).

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• Required Reading: 
  • A Challenege for the Actor by Uta Hagen
  • The play from which your scene is assigned
• Prerequisite: For actors who are actively pursuing work or have some prior acting training or experience

This class offers actors the opportunity to use the full range of their craft while exploring how scenes of conflict are shaped through both dialogue and physical action. We will break down and rehearse scenes that require physical engagement with a partner, including fight choreography, staged intimacy, or moments of heightened physical tension, always in service of character, objective, and story. You will receive professional guidance and coaching in how to build complex physical and emotional scenes in a way that is clear, responsible, and repeatable. Emphasis is placed on communication, consent, and sustainable practices that protect both the actor and their partner physically and emotionally, while meeting the demands of professional rehearsal and performance. The goal of the class is for you to leave with a fluid, practical understanding of how to navigate challenging material involving physical conflict or intimacy. You will develop the ability to make specific, empowered choices and to clearly articulate and maintain agency and boundaries throughout the rehearsal and performance process. You will be offered a range of scenes to choose from, including Shakespeare, as well as classical and contemporary material from Broadway, film, and television. You are also encouraged to bring in scenes you would like to explore, including original work.

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• Registration Prerequisite: Open to all

Held online via Zoom: A combined-level class for actors at level 1 and level 2. Scenes are presented in class for critique, then reworked to explore and apply feedback. Actors at Level 1: For those at the beginning of their acting training, this class will be an introduction to the process of preparing and rehearsing a scripted text. You will work to find authentic inner connection to the character’s details and circumstances and to choose truthful, effective and lively actions. Actors at Level 2: For those at the intermediate level 2, you apply the lessons of Acting 1 and 2 to the preparation, rehearsal, and presentation of scenes from contemporary realist plays (mid-20th century to present). Technique exercises may be introduced diagnostically to address problems as they arise. A commitment to rehearse with partners outside of class is required.

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• Prerequisite: Open to all