1. Home
  2.  | 
  3. Classes
  4.  | Studio Program

Studio Program

Fall 2023 / Winter 2024 Studio Classes

Contact

Michael Mendelson, Artistic Director

mmendelson@pac.edu

We currently offer online evening and weekend classes via Zoom and/or 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

Acting Fundamentals - The Self in Action

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

October 18 – November 22, Wednesdays (6 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Joellen Sweeney Oct.18

Instructor: Joellen Sweeney
Who is this class for: Level I
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $180

This 6-week course explores the fundamentals of the actor’s craft–active listening, free access to impulse, and a vivid, 360-degree imagination. Students will develop a strong working knowledge of objective, obstacle, action and tactic, and gain experience using these tools as a means of accessing authentic behavior onstage. Exercises in movement, vocal training and improvisation will expand the toolkit and deepen student’s knowledge of their unique instrument. Ideal for beginning actors, or those seeking to re-immerse themselves in the actor’s craft.

Some outside work will be required.

Register

Enrollment capacity: 10

Beginning Scene Study - Where am I and what am I doing here?

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

January 24 – March 13, Wednesdays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Instructor: Joellen Sweeney
Who is this class for: Level I and II
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $240

This eight-week course focuses on developing whole-self listening and reciprocity with a scene partner. Through duo improvisational exercises, open scenes and scenes from contemporary realism (1990 to present), actors will build skill in active listening and moment-to-moment responsiveness to a scene partner. Our ensemble will cultivate a spirit of creative curiosity and rigorous play as we bring our scenes to life!

Some outside work will be required.

Register

Enrollment capacity: 10

Intermediate Scene Study - Connection and Character (Fall)

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

October 10 – November 28, Tuesdays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

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

This eight-week course will focus on the exploration of scenes from modern (20th and 21st century), realistic plays, assigned by the instructor. This class will emphasize tactics for connection and character revelation, contact with the actors’ emotional life, as well as in-depth text analysis of the assigned scenes. Students will develop their listening and responding skills, apply Stanislavski’s fundamentals, and engage with the art and craft of acting while expanding their own range of expression and creativity.

Some outside work will be required.

Register

TA110b: 1 Unit Credit
Professional Development Clock-Hour Credit Available

Enrollment capacity: 10

Intermediate Scene Study - Connection and Character (Winter)

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

January 16 – March 5, Tuesdays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

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

This eight-week course will focus on the exploration of scenes from modern (20th and 21st century), realistic plays, assigned by the instructor. This class will emphasize tactics for connection and character revelation, contact with the actors’ emotional life, as well as in-depth text analysis of the assigned scenes. Students will develop their listening and responding skills, apply Stanislavski’s fundamentals, and engage with the art and craft of acting while expanding their own range of expression and creativity.

Some outside work will be required.

 

TA110b: 1 Unit Credit
Professional Development Clock-Hour Credit Available

Enrollment capacity: 10

Advanced Scene Study - Exploring Relationship (Fall)

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

October 16 – November 20, Mondays (6 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

**This class is now full. Please email Michael Mendelson at mmendelson@pac.edu to be added to a wait list.**

Instructor: Michael Mendelson
Who is this class for: Level III
Prerequisite: Interview/conversation with the instructor
Cost: $240

This class is a 6-week course that will explore, though the intricacies of scene study, the relationship. This is a process class for intermediate to advanced actors. This class will begin with a nuts-and-bolts look at scene study. Our focus will be on exploring relationships, defining beats, moment-to-moment work, spatial relationship, needs/wants and intentions. 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.

Some outside work will be required.

Enrollment capacity: 8

Advanced Scene Study - The Intimate Scene (Winter)

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

January 22 – February 26, Mondays (6 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Instructor: Michael Mendelson (including a guest instructor)
Who is this class for: Level III
Prerequisite: Interview/conversation with the instructor
Cost: $240

This is a 6-week course that will explore the intricacies of intimacy work in 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 the moments of intimacy in our work. reading through the moment or moments, understanding the story being told, choreographing the intimate work and finally playing it. 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.

 

Enrollment capacity: 10

Shakespeare

Speak the Speech...and be mindful of the text

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

October 10, 17, 24, 26, 31, November 7, 9, 14, Tuesdays & some Thursdays (8 classes)
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Instructor: Gavin Hoffman
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $240

This class is nuts-and-bolts foundational work. We will break down Shakespeare’s text into its base elements in an effort to help you become text detectives and give you the tools you’ll need to make informed, text-based choices on stage. While our instincts and emotionality are essential they can lead to only vague impressions of character. Instincts and emotionality supported by a robust understanding of how to use the text, leads to specificity and a greater universality of understanding the world of the play and the characters who inhabit that world.

Some outside work will be required.

Register

Enrollment capacity: 10

Playwriting

Let Your Story Be Heard - The Art of Solo Writing - Level I

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

October 11 – November 15, Wednesdays (6 classes)
6:30pm – 9:00pm

Instructor: Paul Stein
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $200

Do you have a story inside you that you’re dying to tell? Maybe you had an idea, but didn’t know how or where to begin? Ever wanted to write and perform your own solo show but need that incentive to push to make it happen?

TAC Faculty Instructor Paul Stein is teaching a solo writing workshop geared around finding and manifesting the story inside you. Paul has an incredibly vast amount of solo theatre experience and is passionate about helping individuals and artists to create one person stories with the goal to eventually perform their own material.

The purpose of this 6-week, Level 1 class is to find a story that you want to invest in. In this fun and encouraging environment, you will acquire tips and tools on how to generate content, shape characters and learn basic storytelling fundamentals. This hybrid class will offer: writing exercises, weekly assignments, discussion examples, feedback, and much more. If you’re new to writing, there’s no better way to begin than by doing. This class is open to all levels of experience.

Register

Enrollment capacity: 12

Let Your Story Be Heard - The Art of Solo Writing - Level II

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

January 24 – February 28, Wednesdays (6 classes)
6:30pm – 9:00pm

Instructor: Paul Stein
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: Let Your Story Be Heard – The Art of Solo Writing – Level I
Cost: $200

Building off of the work done in our first class, we will begin to explore the work in a workshop format and get it on its feet.

 

Enrollment capacity: 8-12

Workshops

The Intimate Connection

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

October 21, Saturday *ONE DAY WORKSHOP*
10:00am – 12:00pm

Instructor: Amanda Vander Hyde
Who is this class for: Everybody
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $35

Ever wonder what encompasses staged theatrical intimacy and its process? Join Amanda Vander Hyde as she discusses her work as an Intimacy Choreographer and how she works to create risk-aware and consensual artistic spaces. This encompasses cultivating a culture of care and promoting holistic resiliency practices so artists can continue their work in an ethical and efficient way. 

This workshop will include:

1) How to build risk-aware and consensual artistic spaces

2) Discussion of power dynamics and why artists struggle to say no

3) Applied exercises to cultivate physical and emotional personal boundaries

4) Building and acquiring self-care and resiliency tools

5) Advocacy tools for various points of the rehearsal process 

Amanda has training through Theatrical Intimacy Education and Intimacy Directors and Choreographers. She is also a certified Artistic Mental Health Practitioner and trained in Mental Health First Aid.

Register

Enrollment capacity: 20

Location of Classes

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

The Actors Conservatory @ the Tiffany Center