Classes

CLASSES

Foundations of Acting
Scene Study Class for Stage and Camera
Audition Technique Class
Audition 'Workout' Class
Freeing your voice with the Feldenkrais Method®: Integrating your Voice, Body and Spirit
Workshops and Special Classes
The 'Actor's REEL' Class
Character Development Work
Teen Class For Stage And Camera

Foundations of Acting(On-going) (top)
Taught by: Kim Plumridge

This class is designed to help actors create an approach to acting that will serve them throughout their careers in any medium. It is appropriate for those new to acting as well as those with some prior training and/or experience who need to strengthen and broaden their technique.

In this class, actors will explore the true craft of acting; learning such fundamental tools as Parallel Dialogue, Internal Dialogue, Personal Monologues, Super Objectives, Objectives, Obstacles, Activities, Physical Condition work and more. In addition, actors will work with a variety of voice and body techniques that will help them develop a full acting range; enabling them to meet the demands of any role.

Stage scenes will initially serve as the vehicle for this work. As the student progresses, they will be introduced to film and TV scenes (on camera) as well.

Admittance to this class is based on an interview with Kim Plumridge. A minimum commitment of six months is necessary in order to be considered for Mary Boyer's Scene Study Classes for Stage and Camera.

Fee per 6 week session: $300

Scene Study Class for Stage and Camera (On-Going)(top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

In addition to furthering the work in technique and tools (acquired in the Foundations of Acting class or from prior training at another school), actors in these classes learn to execute the most powerful and committed choices. Through partnered scene work, group exercises, and individual exercises, actors gain confidence to create more than what is on the page.

These classes challenge the actor's defense system; enable the actor to work through problems that may be holding them back. Emphasis is put on the command and flexibility of the actor's instrument.

Through the use of cameras, the actor can translate their work to screen or stage as demanded. The scene work will alternate between stage and camera to enable the student to easily translate their work from stage to screen to TV.

Admittance to this class requires a minimum of 6 months in the Foundations of Acting Class, OR at least two (2) years of training at a creditable institution.
An invitation to this class is based on an interview with Ms. Boyer.

Fee per 6 week session: $320

Audition Technique Class (8 week class) (top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

This class is all about becoming a "smart actor". This comprehensive course covers all aspects of the casting process and will clear up myths and misconceptions about auditioning; giving you clarity and confidence.

Subjects covered are: choosing photographers, getting the best headshots, setting up a resume, finding auditions, interviewing with casting directors and agents, choosing monologues, and executing cold and prepared readings for stage and camera.

Gain a new perspective which will make auditioning easier, less stressful, more productive, and maybe even fun!

Stop wasting your time and learn how to market yourself wisely, while honing in on those aspects of the auditioning process which are in your direct control and coming to terms with those things that are out of your control.

Fee: $425.00 ($285.00 if taken concurrently with Foundations of Acting, or
Scene Study Class for Stage and Camera)

Audition 'Workout' Class(On-going) (top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

Taking an Audition Technique Class is not enough! Once you have the skills necessary to give great auditions, you need to keep those skills honed. Auditioning is like a sport; you can be at the top of your game but if you don't put yourself through workouts on a constant basis, then your 'muscles' become flabby and your dexterity is undermined. This class is the perfect
follow-up to the Audition Technique Class.

That means you won't bring your 'A-Game' to the audition – and you cannot afford that these days! The field is too crowded and too competitive. This class will be the vehicle for you to keep those skills ready when you need them. Each week the student will bring in two pieces of audition material they have chosen and worked on, and present each one to Mary Boyer for critique, adjustments – and a second shot…which means you'll get a chance to work four times in each class. The student can bring in any combination of material they choose: a monologue and a cold reading, a cold reading and a prepared film reading, a film reading and a TV reading, etc. If the student chooses to do a cold reading for stage – then that will be chosen by Mary and handed to the student for a short prep time. If the student chooses to do a prepared reading (film or tv), then they should pick something that they have not seen nor worked on previously.

Recommended sites for finding scenes to audition with: Showfax.com, TV Script Database 1, TV Script Database 2, Casting Now, NYCasting, Actor's Connection, etc. (All of the company sites that offer a chance to meet and audition for casting folks usually have sides available for downloading.)

Participation in this class is open to anyone that has taken the
Audition Technique Class at MTB Studio.

NEW DISCOUNTED PRICING!
Fee: $200.00 ($100.00 if taken concurrently with Foundations of Acting,
Scene Study Class for Stage and Camera, or The Actor's Reel Class)

Book your space now! (A $30.00 deposit will be required to hold your space in class;
Payment in full due one week before the session begins. No credit or refunds for missed classes.)

Freeing your voice with the Feldenkrais Method®: Integrating your Voice, Body and Spirit(top)
Taught by: Kim Plumridge

Physical, vocal and emotional tension can impede and disrupt your process as an actor and prevent you from being all you can be. With the Feldenkrais Method’s gentle approach to recognizing and alleviating physical tension at its core, this class can help relieve vocal and emotional tension – resulting in a more open, integrated instrument for the actor.

Using the slow, gentle movements of the Feldenkrais Method, along with breathing lessons, traditional diction exercises, and prepared text, this class will help to bring about awareness and change in how you use your voice, and help you to express yourself with more freedom and ease. It will also help you to find a deeper emotional connection to your spirit, voice and words.

The Feldenkrais lessons in this class will focus on:

• Softening the neck, jaw and shoulders
• Opening the rib cage
• Freeing the pelvis
• Freeing the lips and tongue
• Exploring the whole breathing space and improving breathing capacity
• Learning to speak on the exhale

We will also work with prepared text including sonnets, impassioned speeches and great speeches from the Theatre. This class can be very beneficial for students experiencing tension or feeling “blocked”; students with vocal strain and fatigue, breathing issues and diction issues; as well as for those students for whom English is not their first language. The lessons and exercises in this class can help them to speak English more fluidly and clearly with a deeper connection to scripted material.

Fee per 4-week session: $160/ $120 if taken concurrently with Foundations of Acting or Scene Study for Stage and Camera
$80 for Private Classes

Workshops and Special Classes(top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

Brush up on your relaxation exercises, script analysis skills, problem solving tools and more by taking advantage of some of the special workshops offered here at MTB Studio.

The 'Actor's REEL' Class(top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

Every actor needs a reel these days and MTB Studio can help!  This class offers the solution to the Catch-22 that so many actors face:  you must have a reel to show to prospective agents...but you can't get legit material to put on your reel until you get an agent!  Well - MTB Studio can offer you a perfect interim solution until you book that 'big league work'.  We will create an entire reel for you to start showing off to agents and casting directors.

Your reel must show what you look like on camera, show how the camera 'responds' to you, and provide several samples of your acting and your range. These pieces (snippets) should cover several different genres as well (i.e. sitcom, rom/com, drama, etc.).  If it looks professional and shows you off, it doesn't have to contain 'major league credits'.

Many actors try to accomplish this on their own, but the results are frequently disappointing; this is often because the actor did not have anyone there to guide them in picking appropriate material, take a major interest in making the reel show the actor off to their best advantage, and act as an informed director and editor (to act as that third eye) which is so critical.

In this class the student will be given material that has been personally chosen by Mary Boyer to showcase the actor, work on it and rehearse it with partners under Mary's guidance, and then film it with Mary behind the camera.  From there it will be edited (again under Mary's guidance) and the student will walk away with a reel that includes 3 - 5 clips that shows them off in the best possible light. 

Pre-Requisite: Participation for a Minimum of 1-Year in the Ongoing Scene Study Class; Detailed On-Camera work at another studio;
OR an Interview/Audition with Mary Boyer.

THIS CLASS IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS.

Fee: $600.00

Special Character Development Work (7 week class)(top)
Taught by: Mary Boyer

Through work on "special characters" (i.e. characters that demand a complete transformation of the actor's voice, body, and personality) the actor is given a chance to strengthen their character development tools, as well as broaden their range and castability. Using a completely different set of tools, and working on a character the actor might never be cast in, or on material that is outside their "comfort zone", many challenges, discoveries, and delights await the actor.

This work is outside the mainstream character development work that is a part of the on-going scene study classes. It is very demanding physically and vocally and is for advanced students only. This class is only open to students that have participated in the On-Going Scene Study Classes for at least six months.

Click Here to view Special Character Work Pictures

Fee: $400.00 ($275.00 if taken concurrently with Foundations of Acting or Scene Study Class for Stage and Camera)

Teen Class For Stage And Camera (10 Week Session) (top)
Taught by: Kim Plumridge

Our goal in this scene study class is to challenge and inspire teenage actors at all levels of experience (including beginners).

The first half of the session will be devoted to stage work designed to help the young actor begin to develop his or her craft. Personal monologues, improvisation, concentration, and relaxation exercises are used to encourage each student to bring his or her unique self to the situations and characters in scenes from plays. These exercises are also effective in developing the expression of the voice, the body, and the imagination, and improving the young actor's problem-solving skills in the work as well.

In the second half of the session, camera work will be added to broaden the young actor's scope and marketability.

This fun and empowering class is aimed at teens from ages 13 – 18 and takes place in a warm, safe, and supportive environment at the studio.

Fee: $500.00