thespian86

Hey TFP Family,

I just decided that I wanted to change my life a bit and perhaps move. I'm interested in doing a workshop or development program in acting, or acting technique. I certainly don't mind auditioning but I'd rather just apply and show up. I was kind of hoping it would be based out of a university. Also hoping that it would not be Atlantic Canada. Anybody want to give me some advice? Thank you.

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levite

There are a lot of places that offer good acting workshops. Any decent university should have an acceptable acting program. The important thing is not where you go, it's who's teaching you, and what style(s) they teach. You need to work with an acting teacher that suits you. Be prepared to shop around. Picking an acting teacher is as nuanced and critical as picking a therapist, and that's not necessarily an off analogy, since a good acting workshop has elements of group therapy to it. You can't act unless you can confront yourself and know yourself, and open yourself to others.

As for style, obviously, you need to be certain it's method training. Almost no one doesn't do method of some kind or another, but there are a few holdouts here and there for the old presentational school of acting, so it's good to check. Others may have different feelings, but I was trained in Meisner method (with a seasoning of Adler method), and I am deeply convinced of the excellence and utility of Meisner. I've done a couple of workshops with people who were doing Strasberg or Hagen, and it just didn't work for me. Too abstract. My advice is to hold out for a teacher who is teaching Meisner.

You should probably start with either university courses, or lessons at a private studio. The major conservatories and professional craft schools that you can sometimes hear about-- The Actors Studio, ACT, Juilliard (USA), RADA or LAMDA (UK), NIDA (Australia), the National Theatre School, or Studio 58 (Canada)-- are hard to get into, expensive, and usually require experience before admission.

With most college or private acting programs, you either have to start with a very basic "Acting for Dummies" type of class, or if you want to go right into a real studio class, you do have to audition. Check with your chosen school: they'll tell you what to expect.

__________________
Dull sublunary lovers love,
Whose soul is sense, cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
That thing which elemented it.

(From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne)

thespian86

Yeah I was wait-listed two years in a row at National and I'm not sure if I want to audition again. Last year I was two off from the program and I'm sure if I kept trying I would get into the program but I'm getting older so I'm thinking I might do some private work, or maybe go to an open workshop to get back to the basics. I will probably go back to school but I want to dive back into what I love, which is actually worrying about the experience, rather then dealing with the balance of experience and the lifestyle that university brings to acting (drama, drama, drama). I don't mind cut throat but I'm still working so I'd like to avoid it until I'm comfortable.

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

levite

OK, so it sounds like you've done this before. So, I think you're right on: find a private workshop or studio, and just act. Doesn't really matter where you're honing the craft, as long as you're doing it, and doing it with someone who knows how to bring it out in you.

One thing you might consider, if you're waiting for something bigger and better to come along, but you want to keep your hand in: improv classes. Most cities of any size have at least one or two improv and sketch comedy theaters, along the model of Second City or The Groundlings. Usually they'll offer improv classes, in addition to doing performance. Those kinds of classes are usually really worth it. Even if you have no interest in performing sketch comedy or improv shows, doing a little improv work helps your timing, helps you think fast, gets your creative juices flowing, and gets you connecting to your scene partners. Also, looks good on a resume!

__________________
Dull sublunary lovers love,
Whose soul is sense, cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
That thing which elemented it.

(From "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne)

thespian86

Yeah I did sketch comedy in high school and somehow we were considered cool for it. I have natural comedic timing and I tend to get type cast as the awkward funny, or the pathetic funny. I always feel more at home and more comfortable with dramatic roles though.

Does anyone have any specific studios or programs that I should look into?

__________________
EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

Charlatan

There is a lot to be said for the Second City program...

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