Fall Classes (Adult)

Beginning Classes

BEGINNING ACTING FOR FILM & STAGE
Session 1 led by Amber DuPuy; Session 2 led by Paula Russell

A gentle approach conducive to the beginner, this class will focus predominantly on scene study for film and stage. Learn how to establish meaningful and honest relationships through the art of active listening and responding. Learn the tools necessary to be “believable.” Develop your imaginative capacities, unleash your creative impulses, deepen your intuition, and sharpen the analytical skills necessary to “breakdown” a scene.

Sept. 8-Oct. 13 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3034 100
Oct. 14 Nov. 18 (6 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3034 101
Nov. 7-Dec. 19 (6 weeks) Saturdays 10-12:30am $165 DRAM 3034 103 (no class Nov. 28)

IMPROVISATION 101
Led by Shana Merlin

For complete beginners and experienced actors, this workshop teaches the fundamentals of improvisation.  The class’s interactive exercises build listening and communication skills, heighten awareness and teach you how to be more playful, spontaneous and flexible.  Learn improvisation exercises for performance or rehearsals that teach you how to think on the spot, how to manipulate your physicality, how to tell stories and a whole bunch more.

Sept. 8-Oct. 13 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3040 100
Oct. 20 -Dec. 1 (6 weeks) Tuesdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3040 101 (No class Nov. 24)

ACTING FOR FILM 
Led by Gabriel Folse

This is a beginning to advanced beginning acting for film class.  Mr. Folse focuses on achieving a naturalistic acting style through honesty and vulnerability.  The emphasis is on energy, personal power, personality and enjoyment.  The students’ work will be explored through improvisation and scene study from film and television scripts with some videotaping and playback for critique.  Also, short clips will be pwatched to learn more about filmmaking and the requirements for the actor.

Sept. 10-Oct. 15 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3010 200
Nov. 5-Dec.17 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm $185  DRAM 3010 201  (No class Nov. 26)

Intermediate to Advanced Classes

THE ACTOR’S CRAFT: ONGOING TECHNIQUE CLASS
Led by Amber DuPuy

This ongoing class creates an environment where students can “work it out.” In order to create vivid and fleshed-out characters, students will apply the tools they have learned thus far, plus learn new technical elements. In addition, the actor’s instrument will be stretched and honed with physical and vocal warm-ups, imagination exploration and improvisation. Scene work and/or monologues will be developed.
Prerequisite: Beginning Acting II; or if you have previous acting experience, instructor consent is required.

Nov. 5-Dec.17 (6 weeks) Thursdays 7-10pm  $165  DRAX 3010 100   (No class Nov. 26)

FILM ACTING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ACTOR
Led by Gabriel Folse

This “pros” only class is for actors who have agents and are actively auditioning.  Being a professional actor means that you are committed to doing your best and are ready to go! In this class actors will have the opportunity to refine the necessary skills for success by improving their film acting technique and cold reading skills, gaining greater ease in the audition environment, becoming more familiar with “on-set” etiquette, and learning how to successfully incorporate direction. Space is limited to 8 actors only.

Sept. 2-Sept. 30 (5 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm $185  DRAX 3019 100

THE FILM AUDITION
Led by Gabriel Folse

This class will re-create the film audition environment giving the student many opportunities with different scripts to experience what a real audition might be like.  Film terminology, cold readings and time in front of the camera will be utilized to boost confidence for actors of all levels of experience.  Also, the interview process and psychology of the interview and audition will be discussed.  Work will be taped and played back for critique each class.  Pre-requisite: Previous experience or acting training.

Oct. 7-Oct. 28 (4 weeks) Wednesdays 7-10pm  $150  DRAM 3013 100

CREATIVITY ONGOING CLASS
Led by Babs George


This class is designed to continue the work begun in the Creativity class for Film & Stage. Accessing right brain, intuitive state is a constant challenge, and this class focuses on continuing Charles Conrads’ exercises. Cold reading and preparing scenes both from film and stage scripts are the bulk of the work. Script analysis will be a part of the investigation of scene, and space permitting, there will also be an integration of movement based loosely on Ann Bogart’s VIEWPOINTS.

Nov. 9-Dec.14 (6 weeks) Mondays 7-10pm $165 DRAX 3008 100

INTERMEDIATE ACTING FOR FILM
Led by Gabriel Folse

Mr. Folse focuses on achieving a naturalistic acting style through honesty and vulnerability.  The emphasis is on energy, personal power, personality and enjoyment.  The students’ work will be explored through improvisation and scene study from film and television scripts with some videotaping and playback for critique.  Also, short clips will be watched to learn more about filmmaking and the requirements for the actor with a mock audition the last class.  Pre-requisite: Must have previous training or experience.

Nov. 4-Dec.16 (6 weeks) Wednesdays  7-10pm               $185           DRAM 3011 100 (No class Nov. 25)

INDUSTRY SHOWCASE PREPARATORY CLASS
Led by Paula Russell

This class is intended to prepare actors to perform in our bi-annual Industry Showcase to be held Wednesday, Dec. 2. Industry professionals, such as agents, casting directors and producers will be invited. Short film scenes will be presented. In order to participate in the Showcase, actors are required to take this class. Auditions for the Showcase will be held Sunday, Oct. 11 from 5-8pm. Only 10-12 students will be accepted. Please read the guidelines on our website for the showcase, before making an appointment to audition.

Oct. 25-Nov. 29 (6 weeks) Sundays 5-8pm   $200   DRAX 3015 100 
(Additional costs may be incurred for new headshots)

Voice Classes

THE SPEAKING VOICE 101
Led by MJ Vandivier

Discover how you can make a great first impression with your voice or talk for hours without losing steam. Mj Vandivier, a Certified Lessac Voice and Body Trainer, leads, encourages, and grounds students in processes of voice dynamics. She’ll guide you through vocal and body warm-ups, including the Relaxer-Energizers, the Consonant Orchestra or Structural Vowels, and more. This class is a pre-requisite for the Accents and Dialects class.

Sep 14-Oct 19  (6 weeks) Mondays   7-10pm $185 DRAM 3019 100

ACCENTS AND DIALECTS
Led by MJ Vandivier

Standard British, Texan and Brooklyn. Every actor should have a variety of dialects as part of their professional arsenal. Standard British is the most frequently requested of the stage actor. In Austin, the Texas accent is one of the most commonly used in film. And the Brooklyn dialect is simply a lot of fun to learn! Prerequisite: The Speaking Voice 101.

Nov 9-Dec 14  (6 weeks)  Mondays, 7-10pm          $185 DRAX 3017 100

Private Coaching

Several State Theatre School of Acting teachers offer private studies to teens and adults.  Areas of study range from auditioning for film and stage, Shakespeare, Voice, Monologues and more.  Contact the school for more information.