Studio Program - The Actors Conservatory

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Studio Program

Fall 2024 Studio Classes

Celebrating 40 Years of Actor Training

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Michael Mendelson, Artistic Director

We currently offer evening and weekend classes in-person for patrons, theatre lovers and people invested in the arts who need a flexible schedule to study the craft of acting. Whether you’re new to acting, a working professional, a playwright, patron, or theater lover, the Studio Program offers a wide range of dynamic classes designed to meet your interests and needs.

Post-secondary credit is available for some classes and professional development (clock-hour) credit is available for all classes. If a more comprehensive immersion program is what you’re looking for, click here for information about our two-year Conservatory program.

Please note: Many of these courses are designed to be repeatable, emphasizing process, discovery and fluency.

Partial tuition grants are available. Apply here.

Class Levels

Level I

For those who are interested in exploring the fundamentals of the craft of acting.

Those with no acting experience will find this is just the place for personal growth and development, whether polishing communication skills, overcoming shyness or just gaining a little spontaneity in their lives. There’s no pressure in our classes; it’s all about relaxing and enjoying the acting experience—and making new friends along the way.

Level II

For those who have taken Acting I or the equivalent and are interested in broadening and deepening acting skills.

Most students find that they gain confidence in their first acting class and want to try another session. Others with previous acting experience may just want to hone their skills. For these students, it’s time to move on to the next level or maybe add monologue work, film or improv to the mix.

Level III

For those with a grasp of the fundamentals and some performance experience and are curious about exploring deeper possibilities.

At this stage, serious students have the opportunity to repeat a favorite class or go on to the most advanced level—which will complete their training in the adult program. Then, with a solid acting foundation, they may choose to audition for The Studio Acting Intensive Program or the two-year Conservatory Program for career-minded actors.

Everybody

For all levels of experience and the general public.

Acting

Beginning Acting - Actor as Storyteller (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 502 (5th floor)

October 1 – November 19, Tuesdays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Instructor: Caitlin Lushington
Who is this class for: Everyone
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $250

“We cannot imagine ourselves without [storytelling], because the self is a story.” – Margaret Atwood

This eight-week course is designed to introduce you to foundational elements of acting, as seen through the lens of the storyteller. In this class you will explore four powerful elements used by storytellers: presence, active listening, play, and story analysis. Through games, exercises, and scene work, you will learn:

How to use the given circumstances of a story as clues to your performance
How to bring yourself to a role (how to bring truthiness to a role)
How to navigate performance anxiety
How to return to presence and engagement in a scene (when your monkey mind has other plans)

Beyond learning how you can apply these skills for stage and film work, we will pay attention to the ways in which these skills can profoundly transform your confidence, relationships, and daily life.

Limited outside work will be required.

Enrollment capacity: 10

If you have questions about the content of this course please feel free to email Caitlin at Caitlin@pac.edu

Intermediate Acting & Scene Study (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 501 (5th floor)

November 6 – December 18, Wednesdays (6 classes) **No class on November 27**
6:30pm – 9:00pm

Instructor: Michael Mendelson
Who is this class for: Level II or III
Prerequisite: Acting Foundations or equivalent class or performance experience
Cost: $250

Intermediate Acting and Scene Study is a six-week course that will focus on the emotional truth of the scene. How do we turn ourselves on and invest in the given circumstances? During this six-week course we will engage in exercises and techniques that help us explore our imagination and our soul. This class is suitable for any student who has a working knowledge of stagecraft and a desire to dig deeper into the work of an actor. Familiarity with the Meisner Technique would be a benefit but not essential.

Some outside work will be required.

Enrollment capacity: 8

Advanced Scene Study - Exploring Spontaneity and Immediacy (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 501 (5th floor)

September 23 – November 11, Mondays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 9:00pm

Instructor: Michael Mendelson
Who is this class for: Level III
Prerequisite: Interview/conversation with the instructor
Cost: $250

This is an 8-week course that will explore the intricacies of scene study. This is a process class for intermediate and advanced actors. This class will not only focus on the nuts-and-bolts of scene study but primarily focus on immediacy and spontaneity. We are always working off of what our scene partner is offering while engaging the actor’s imagination with a strong belief in the given imaginary circumstances. We will spend time exploring a visceral “impulse-response” and the implications and impact that has on the emotional life of the scene. That said, the work of the intimate moment never changes. It is an agreed upon moment that we will find together.

Some outside work will be required.

To register, please email Michael Mendelson at mmendelson@pac.edu to set up a prerequisite interview.

Enrollment capacity: 8

Make 'Em Laugh - Acting Comedy (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 502 (5th floor)

September 23 – November 11, Mondays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 9:00pm

Instructor: Darius Pierce
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $240

This eight-week course will focus on comedic scene study and monologues. Students will have the opportunity to work on comedic scenes (assigned by the instructor) and comedic monologues (selected by the student). This class will explore script analysis for comedy, finding individual comedic rhythms and sensibilities, and grounding performances in traditional scene and character work in order to find comedic potential.

Some outside work will be requested.

Enrollment capacity: 10

On Camera

Acting on Camera (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 501 (5th floor)

September 7 – October 26, Saturdays (8 classes)
12:00pm – 2:00pm

Instructor: Phillip Ray Guevara
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $200

This eight-week intensive will cover basic techniques required to bring characters to life on camera, in a grounded and believable manner. Taught by a working professional commercial & film actor, this course will highlight performer tendencies on camera, breathing while listening, self tape technique, focal points, and more tricks of the trade. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Enrollment capacity: 10

Professional Development

Meeting The Profession Where You Are: Developing Your Professional Presence (Fall)

Note: This class will be offered in-person at The Tiffany Center – 1410 SW Morrison St. Suite 502 (5th floor)

November 2 – November 23, Saturdays (4 classes)
11:00am – 2:00pm

Instructor: Angie Tennant
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $120

Taught by a working theatre, film & tv actor, this four-week intensive will focus on the business side of acting and prepare each student to market themselves more effectively to agents, managers, and casting directors. Areas of focus will include resume-formatting, curating an online presence, choosing headshots, learning industry standards, and empowering actors to make the best decisions for themselves as they build a career in theatre, film, tv or all three. The course will be tailored to the participants’ specific questions and time will be allotted for each actor’s materials to be reviewed by the instructor.

Some outside work will be required.

Enrollment capacity: 10

Location of Classes

The Actors Conservatory @ the Tiffany Center
1410 SW Morrison St. (5th Floor)
Portland, OR 97205