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  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    In-Person Workshop LEIGH KILTON-SMITH: Scene Study 4 Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, October 6, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 13, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 20, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 27, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. About the Workshop Teacher and acting coach Leigh Kilton-Smith joins The Actors Center for the first time for four consecutive Fridays devoted to scene study. Leigh will work with company members on scenes from any 20th- or 21st century play of their choosing. Every scene will work each week, beginning with a first encounter with the text and a new approach to the memorization process. Throughout, Leigh will offer insights to support actors in being present, listening, trusting connection, and allowing a great story to emerge, with the primary aim that participants leave knowing themselves better as artists. Sessions run 10am-3pm. Enrollment is limited to 14 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Participants are strongly encouraged to choose material that is new to them, and neither rehearse nor memorize before the first session. If you prefer, Leigh can assign you material or offer suggestions. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Leigh Kilton-Smith For 35 years, Leigh Kilton-Smith has maintained a balance between classroom work at her studio in Los Angeles, and being an in-demand acting coach on sets around the world. Her work is reflected in dozens of award-winning projects, including Oppenheimer, Elvis, Vengeance, Manchester by the Sea, White Lotus, Burlesque, Anne Boleyn, Murder Mystery, Queen & Slim, Iron Man, Aladdin, White Boy Rick, and the forthcoming True Detective directed by Issa Lopes, Doug Liman's The Instigator, Cary Fukunaga’s Masters of the Air, and Jamie Lloyd's West End revival of Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger. Collaborators include: B.J. Novak, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lukas Gage, Austin Butler, Guy Ritchie, Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Kathryn Hahn, John Leguizamo, Tony Goldwyn, Gabrielle Union, Desi Lydic, Zac Efron, Diane Lane, and Sam Rockwell. Directors and actors alike have sought her input. According to Leigh, ”Any creative who is confident enough in their own craft that they willingly welcome an...

  • Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    In-Person Workshop KYLE DONNELLY: Fall with Chekhov 4 Monday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, October 16, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 23, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 30, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, November 6, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. No RSVP required to observe. About the Workshop Director and educator Kyle Donnelly joins The Actors Center for the first time for a series of Monday mornings luxuriating in the world of Anton Chekhov. With his plays, Chekhov created such complex characters and relationships. Over four sessions, Kyle will work with participants on short excerpts of Chekhov scenes. With attention to text, and experimenting with interpretation, participants will spend time finding the pathos, deep loneliness and humor of these characters. Each scene will work every week. You can either choose a short scene or Kyle can offer suggested scenes to explore. Any translation is welcome, including the most contemporary, as long as the full script can be shared. Sessions run Mondays from 11am-2pm. Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Kyle Donnelly Kyle Donnelly has worked as a freelance director in the American Regional Theatre for over 40 years at such venues as Arena Stage, Goodman, Roundabout, Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, South Coast Rep, Huntington Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Old Globe, McCarter, and Williamstown, among others. She was the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award by TCG for directing. She was the Associate Artistic Director at Arena Stage from 1991–1998. She has also been a long time acting teacher, from running her own studio in Chicago for 10 years to Head of the M.F.A. Acting program at UC, San Diego for 18 years. She is currently living in New York City and teaching her own professional studio acting and directing classes. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Company Roundtable: Casting & The Actor’s Process with Maribeth Fox (9/29)

    In-Person Workshop COMPANY ROUNDTABLE: Casting & The Actor's Process with Maribeth Fox Friday Afternoon Dates & Times Friday, September 29, 2023 – 2:00pm-5:00pm Monday, October 16, 2023 – 3:00pm-6:00pm Alchemical Studios 50 West 17th St, 12th floor, Studio 1 About the Workshop Casting director Maribeth Fox joins The Actors Center for the first time to facilitate a conversation on casting and the actor's process. This is an unprecedented time in our industry. Let's open up communication between casting and actors and brainstorm how to help each other creatively. Maribeth is here to ask questions about your process to make your audition life more seamless, while also answering questions you may have for her. Session runs Monday afternoon from 3pm-6pm. About Maribeth Fox Maribeth Fox has worked with Laura Rosenthal Casting for fifteen years and has had the privilege of working alongside major talents like Todd Haynes, Paolo Sorrentino, Oren Moverman, Joachim Trier, Ed Burns, Mindy Kaling, Anton Corbijn, and Lisa Cholodenko as well as up and coming feature directors, Guy Nattiv, Olivia Newman, & Paul Downs Colaizzo. Favorite credits include Olive Kitteridge and Mildred Pierce both for HBO, Jay-Z’s music video for Smile, Wonderstruck with Todd Haynes, A Quiet Place, Modern Love for Amazon and Liz Garbus’ narrative feature debut, Lost Girls. Two of her three films at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival broke sales records, Late Night and Brittany Runs A Marathon. Most recent credits include Sharper for Apple TV, directed by Benjamin Caron, Bottoms, produced by Elizabeth Banks, Murder Mystery 2 with Happy Madison, and the upcoming A Different Man from Killer Films and A24. RSVP Attendees Attendees should endeavor to be there the whole time, but slight conflicts can be accommodated as long as you enter/exit the studio quietly. Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Midori Nakamur: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    Midori Nakamura: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    In-Person Workshop MIDORI NAKAMURA: Voice 3 Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 31, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Alchemical Studios 50 W 17th St 12th floor, Studio 2 About the Workshop Actor and voice teacher Midori Nakamura joins The Actors Center for the first time for a three week voice workshop. Midori will guide participants in practicing and developing a personal and imagistic connection to the voice—encouraging clarity of thought, vocal freedom, and emotional connection in spoken communication. This is explored through the Linklater Voice Progression of exercises, which leads from physical awareness (locating tension and releasing it), to the awareness of natural breathing, the experience of sound in the head and body (building resonance), the releasing of tension, and the development of resonating power. The goal is to develop a voice that is in direct contact with emotional impulse, shaped by the intellect but not restricted by it. Sessions run Tuesdays, 2:30pm-5:30pm. About Midori Nakamura Midori Nakamura is a Brooklyn-based teaching artist and Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. She teaches voice for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, The Linklater Center in New York, the Maggie Flanigan Studio, and NYU Tisch at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She has also taught for Columbia University’s Social Impact Fellowship, LAByrinth Theater’s Intensive Ensemble, Molloy/CAP21, New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and the New York Film Academy, as well as coaching private clients in both acting and voice. As an actor, she has worked in film, TV, on Broadway, Off-Broadway, for Shakespeare in the Park, at the Kennedy Center, at the RSC, and in regional theater—working with George C. Wolfe (three times), Philip Seymour Hoffman (three times), Alec Baldwin (two times). She has also acted alongside Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Angela Bassett, Bill Irwin, Keanu Reeves, Michael C. Hall, Liev Schrieber, Karen Allen, Del Close, Kim Cattrall, Jennifer Anniston. Directors she has acted under include Morgan Freeman, Lena Dunham, Barry Levenson, Peter Sellars, Nicholas Hytner, Austin Pendleton, James Lapine, Jerzy Grotowski, Joe Chaikin. Midori co-directed, co-produced, and co-edited T’an Bakhtale, a documentary about the Russian Roma, which received awards from the American Association of Anthropology and the Royal Anthropological Institute. She assisted Karen Allen in her directorial debut, A Tree, A Rock, A Cloud. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • The Writer’s CoLab

    The Writer’s CoLab

    COMPANY COLABS The Writer's CoLab Wednesday Mornings Dates & Times Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, Seahorse Room Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall Arts Community, 22 E 30th St, 3rd Floor, The Booth Studio Hosted by Emily Kratter, Lena Kaminsky, and Rebecca Harris About the CoLab The Writer’s CoLab is a space where members can gather to write and share pages. Writing can often be isolating and working from home can be distracting. Our hope is to establish a designated space to work collectively each week, making the writing process more communal, offering accountability, and creating an opportunity to hear work aloud. The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to independent work. You are welcome to use that time however you’d like. There will be three prompts offered at the beginning of each session to inspire if needed. The second 90 minutes will be devoted to sharing, and reading. Each week, three people will have the opportunity to sign up for a 30 minute slot to use according to what is most helpful for their process. In most cases, the writer will assign roles for their pages, the pages will be read aloud, and if desired, the writer can ask for a round of feedback based upon their specific questions and needs. If you are not writing, but would like to join for the second half of this gathering to participate or listen to the shared work, you are more than welcome. Sessions run Wednesday mornings from 10am-1pm. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Erica Fae: Emotional/Physical Integration (9/21-10/26)

    In-Person Workshop ERICA FAE: Emotional/Physical Integration 6 Thursday Mornings Dates & Times Thursday, September 21, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, September 28, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 5, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 12, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 19, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 26, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center 280 Broadway, Studio D – Entrance at 53A Chambers About the Workshop Teacher, director, performer, and writer Erica Fae returns to The Actors Center for a workshop focusing on emotional and physical integration. Over six weeks, participants will investigate the body as a vehicle for deep transformation, a container of emotional experience, and an elegant tool in articulation. Erica will begin with physical training practices based on the work of Jerzy Grotowski to awaken and deepen an already-innate connection to mind, heart, and body integration. Erica will guide participants in expanding their emotional life through full-body training, working with image as a source and tool, and unpacking innate patterns or habits in the body. We will parse out experience, observations, and judgements within the work, seeing how the body can be a roadmap towards specific choices in our work. Sessions run Thursday mornings from 10am-1pm. About Erica Fae Writer, director, performer, and teacher Erica Fae brings radical stories from history to stage and screen. Her first feature To Keep the Light won the Fipresci Prize, among other festival awards, and is currently on Amazon Prime. Her original plays include A Girl Joan, Saved Again and by Him, and Take What Is Yours with Jill A. Samuels. As actor, she's had recurring roles on HBO's Boardwalk Empire and Doll & Em, Netflix's Partner Track, and has performed in numerous films and plays. Erica teaches Physical Acting at Yale's David Geffen School of Drama and is in development on her second feature film. Register Now Participants All participants are asked to attend all sessions. Participants must be able to attend the first two sessions, while limited conflicts can be accommodated in subsequent weeks. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    In-Person Workshop LEIGH KILTON-SMITH: Scene Study 4 Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, October 6, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 13, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 20, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 27, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. About the Workshop Teacher and acting coach Leigh Kilton-Smith joins The Actors Center for the first time for four consecutive Fridays devoted to scene study. Leigh will work with company members on scenes from any 20th- or 21st century play of their choosing. Every scene will work each week, beginning with a first encounter with the text and a new approach to the memorization process. Throughout, Leigh will offer insights to support actors in being present, listening, trusting connection, and allowing a great story to emerge, with the primary aim that participants leave knowing themselves better as artists. Sessions run 10am-3pm. Enrollment is limited to 14 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Participants are strongly encouraged to choose material that is new to them, and neither rehearse nor memorize before the first session. If you prefer, Leigh can assign you material or offer suggestions. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Leigh Kilton-Smith For 35 years, Leigh Kilton-Smith has maintained a balance between classroom work at her studio in Los Angeles, and being an in-demand acting coach on sets around the world. Her work is reflected in dozens of award-winning projects, including Oppenheimer, Elvis, Vengeance, Manchester by the Sea, White Lotus, Burlesque, Anne Boleyn, Murder Mystery, Queen & Slim, Iron Man, Aladdin, White Boy Rick, and the forthcoming True Detective directed by Issa Lopes, Doug Liman's The Instigator, Cary Fukunaga’s Masters of the Air, and Jamie Lloyd's West End revival of Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger. Collaborators include: B.J. Novak, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lukas Gage, Austin Butler, Guy Ritchie, Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Kathryn Hahn, John Leguizamo, Tony Goldwyn, Gabrielle Union, Desi Lydic, Zac Efron, Diane Lane, and Sam Rockwell. Directors and actors alike have sought her input. According to Leigh, ”Any creative who is confident enough in their own craft that they willingly welcome an...

  • Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    In-Person Workshop KYLE DONNELLY: Fall with Chekhov 4 Monday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, October 16, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 23, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 30, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, November 6, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. No RSVP required to observe. About the Workshop Director and educator Kyle Donnelly joins The Actors Center for the first time for a series of Monday mornings luxuriating in the world of Anton Chekhov. With his plays, Chekhov created such complex characters and relationships. Over four sessions, Kyle will work with participants on short excerpts of Chekhov scenes. With attention to text, and experimenting with interpretation, participants will spend time finding the pathos, deep loneliness and humor of these characters. Each scene will work every week. You can either choose a short scene or Kyle can offer suggested scenes to explore. Any translation is welcome, including the most contemporary, as long as the full script can be shared. Sessions run Mondays from 11am-2pm. Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Kyle Donnelly Kyle Donnelly has worked as a freelance director in the American Regional Theatre for over 40 years at such venues as Arena Stage, Goodman, Roundabout, Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, South Coast Rep, Huntington Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Old Globe, McCarter, and Williamstown, among others. She was the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award by TCG for directing. She was the Associate Artistic Director at Arena Stage from 1991–1998. She has also been a long time acting teacher, from running her own studio in Chicago for 10 years to Head of the M.F.A. Acting program at UC, San Diego for 18 years. She is currently living in New York City and teaching her own professional studio acting and directing classes. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Midori Nakamur: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    Midori Nakamura: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    In-Person Workshop MIDORI NAKAMURA: Voice 3 Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 31, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Alchemical Studios 50 W 17th St 12th floor, Studio 2 About the Workshop Actor and voice teacher Midori Nakamura joins The Actors Center for the first time for a three week voice workshop. Midori will guide participants in practicing and developing a personal and imagistic connection to the voice—encouraging clarity of thought, vocal freedom, and emotional connection in spoken communication. This is explored through the Linklater Voice Progression of exercises, which leads from physical awareness (locating tension and releasing it), to the awareness of natural breathing, the experience of sound in the head and body (building resonance), the releasing of tension, and the development of resonating power. The goal is to develop a voice that is in direct contact with emotional impulse, shaped by the intellect but not restricted by it. Sessions run Tuesdays, 2:30pm-5:30pm. About Midori Nakamura Midori Nakamura is a Brooklyn-based teaching artist and Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. She teaches voice for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, The Linklater Center in New York, the Maggie Flanigan Studio, and NYU Tisch at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She has also taught for Columbia University’s Social Impact Fellowship, LAByrinth Theater’s Intensive Ensemble, Molloy/CAP21, New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and the New York Film Academy, as well as coaching private clients in both acting and voice. As an actor, she has worked in film, TV, on Broadway, Off-Broadway, for Shakespeare in the Park, at the Kennedy Center, at the RSC, and in regional theater—working with George C. Wolfe (three times), Philip Seymour Hoffman (three times), Alec Baldwin (two times). She has also acted alongside Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Angela Bassett, Bill Irwin, Keanu Reeves, Michael C. Hall, Liev Schrieber, Karen Allen, Del Close, Kim Cattrall, Jennifer Anniston. Directors she has acted under include Morgan Freeman, Lena Dunham, Barry Levenson, Peter Sellars, Nicholas Hytner, Austin Pendleton, James Lapine, Jerzy Grotowski, Joe Chaikin. Midori co-directed, co-produced, and co-edited T’an Bakhtale, a documentary about the Russian Roma, which received awards from the American Association of Anthropology and the Royal Anthropological Institute. She assisted Karen Allen in her directorial debut, A Tree, A Rock, A Cloud. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • The Writer’s CoLab

    The Writer’s CoLab

    COMPANY COLABS The Writer's CoLab Wednesday Mornings Dates & Times Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, Seahorse Room Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall Arts Community, 22 E 30th St, 3rd Floor, The Booth Studio Hosted by Emily Kratter, Lena Kaminsky, and Rebecca Harris About the CoLab The Writer’s CoLab is a space where members can gather to write and share pages. Writing can often be isolating and working from home can be distracting. Our hope is to establish a designated space to work collectively each week, making the writing process more communal, offering accountability, and creating an opportunity to hear work aloud. The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to independent work. You are welcome to use that time however you’d like. There will be three prompts offered at the beginning of each session to inspire if needed. The second 90 minutes will be devoted to sharing, and reading. Each week, three people will have the opportunity to sign up for a 30 minute slot to use according to what is most helpful for their process. In most cases, the writer will assign roles for their pages, the pages will be read aloud, and if desired, the writer can ask for a round of feedback based upon their specific questions and needs. If you are not writing, but would like to join for the second half of this gathering to participate or listen to the shared work, you are more than welcome. Sessions run Wednesday mornings from 10am-1pm. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Erica Fae: Emotional/Physical Integration (9/21-10/26)

    In-Person Workshop ERICA FAE: Emotional/Physical Integration 6 Thursday Mornings Dates & Times Thursday, September 21, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, September 28, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 5, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 12, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 19, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, October 26, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center 280 Broadway, Studio D – Entrance at 53A Chambers About the Workshop Teacher, director, performer, and writer Erica Fae returns to The Actors Center for a workshop focusing on emotional and physical integration. Over six weeks, participants will investigate the body as a vehicle for deep transformation, a container of emotional experience, and an elegant tool in articulation. Erica will begin with physical training practices based on the work of Jerzy Grotowski to awaken and deepen an already-innate connection to mind, heart, and body integration. Erica will guide participants in expanding their emotional life through full-body training, working with image as a source and tool, and unpacking innate patterns or habits in the body. We will parse out experience, observations, and judgements within the work, seeing how the body can be a roadmap towards specific choices in our work. Sessions run Thursday mornings from 10am-1pm. About Erica Fae Writer, director, performer, and teacher Erica Fae brings radical stories from history to stage and screen. Her first feature To Keep the Light won the Fipresci Prize, among other festival awards, and is currently on Amazon Prime. Her original plays include A Girl Joan, Saved Again and by Him, and Take What Is Yours with Jill A. Samuels. As actor, she's had recurring roles on HBO's Boardwalk Empire and Doll & Em, Netflix's Partner Track, and has performed in numerous films and plays. Erica teaches Physical Acting at Yale's David Geffen School of Drama and is in development on her second feature film. Register Now Participants All participants are asked to attend all sessions. Participants must be able to attend the first two sessions, while limited conflicts can be accommodated in subsequent weeks. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    Leigh Kilton-Smith: Scene Study (10/6-10/27)

    In-Person Workshop LEIGH KILTON-SMITH: Scene Study 4 Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, October 6, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 13, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 20, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Friday, October 27, 2023 – 10:00am-3:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. About the Workshop Teacher and acting coach Leigh Kilton-Smith joins The Actors Center for the first time for four consecutive Fridays devoted to scene study. Leigh will work with company members on scenes from any 20th- or 21st century play of their choosing. Every scene will work each week, beginning with a first encounter with the text and a new approach to the memorization process. Throughout, Leigh will offer insights to support actors in being present, listening, trusting connection, and allowing a great story to emerge, with the primary aim that participants leave knowing themselves better as artists. Sessions run 10am-3pm. Enrollment is limited to 14 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Participants are strongly encouraged to choose material that is new to them, and neither rehearse nor memorize before the first session. If you prefer, Leigh can assign you material or offer suggestions. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Leigh Kilton-Smith For 35 years, Leigh Kilton-Smith has maintained a balance between classroom work at her studio in Los Angeles, and being an in-demand acting coach on sets around the world. Her work is reflected in dozens of award-winning projects, including Oppenheimer, Elvis, Vengeance, Manchester by the Sea, White Lotus, Burlesque, Anne Boleyn, Murder Mystery, Queen & Slim, Iron Man, Aladdin, White Boy Rick, and the forthcoming True Detective directed by Issa Lopes, Doug Liman's The Instigator, Cary Fukunaga’s Masters of the Air, and Jamie Lloyd's West End revival of Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger. Collaborators include: B.J. Novak, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lukas Gage, Austin Butler, Guy Ritchie, Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Kathryn Hahn, John Leguizamo, Tony Goldwyn, Gabrielle Union, Desi Lydic, Zac Efron, Diane Lane, and Sam Rockwell. Directors and actors alike have sought her input. According to Leigh, ”Any creative who is confident enough in their own craft that they willingly welcome an...

  • Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    In-Person Workshop KYLE DONNELLY: Fall with Chekhov 4 Monday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, October 16, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 23, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 30, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, November 6, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. No RSVP required to observe. About the Workshop Director and educator Kyle Donnelly joins The Actors Center for the first time for a series of Monday mornings luxuriating in the world of Anton Chekhov. With his plays, Chekhov created such complex characters and relationships. Over four sessions, Kyle will work with participants on short excerpts of Chekhov scenes. With attention to text, and experimenting with interpretation, participants will spend time finding the pathos, deep loneliness and humor of these characters. Each scene will work every week. You can either choose a short scene or Kyle can offer suggested scenes to explore. Any translation is welcome, including the most contemporary, as long as the full script can be shared. Sessions run Mondays from 11am-2pm. Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Kyle Donnelly Kyle Donnelly has worked as a freelance director in the American Regional Theatre for over 40 years at such venues as Arena Stage, Goodman, Roundabout, Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, South Coast Rep, Huntington Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Old Globe, McCarter, and Williamstown, among others. She was the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award by TCG for directing. She was the Associate Artistic Director at Arena Stage from 1991–1998. She has also been a long time acting teacher, from running her own studio in Chicago for 10 years to Head of the M.F.A. Acting program at UC, San Diego for 18 years. She is currently living in New York City and teaching her own professional studio acting and directing classes. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Midori Nakamur: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    Midori Nakamura: Voice (10/17-10/31)

    In-Person Workshop MIDORI NAKAMURA: Voice 3 Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday, October 31, 2023 – 2:30pm-5:30pm Alchemical Studios 50 W 17th St 12th floor, Studio 2 About the Workshop Actor and voice teacher Midori Nakamura joins The Actors Center for the first time for a three week voice workshop. Midori will guide participants in practicing and developing a personal and imagistic connection to the voice—encouraging clarity of thought, vocal freedom, and emotional connection in spoken communication. This is explored through the Linklater Voice Progression of exercises, which leads from physical awareness (locating tension and releasing it), to the awareness of natural breathing, the experience of sound in the head and body (building resonance), the releasing of tension, and the development of resonating power. The goal is to develop a voice that is in direct contact with emotional impulse, shaped by the intellect but not restricted by it. Sessions run Tuesdays, 2:30pm-5:30pm. About Midori Nakamura Midori Nakamura is a Brooklyn-based teaching artist and Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. She teaches voice for the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, The Linklater Center in New York, the Maggie Flanigan Studio, and NYU Tisch at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She has also taught for Columbia University’s Social Impact Fellowship, LAByrinth Theater’s Intensive Ensemble, Molloy/CAP21, New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, and the New York Film Academy, as well as coaching private clients in both acting and voice. As an actor, she has worked in film, TV, on Broadway, Off-Broadway, for Shakespeare in the Park, at the Kennedy Center, at the RSC, and in regional theater—working with George C. Wolfe (three times), Philip Seymour Hoffman (three times), Alec Baldwin (two times). She has also acted alongside Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart, Angela Bassett, Bill Irwin, Keanu Reeves, Michael C. Hall, Liev Schrieber, Karen Allen, Del Close, Kim Cattrall, Jennifer Anniston. Directors she has acted under include Morgan Freeman, Lena Dunham, Barry Levenson, Peter Sellars, Nicholas Hytner, Austin Pendleton, James Lapine, Jerzy Grotowski, Joe Chaikin. Midori co-directed, co-produced, and co-edited T’an Bakhtale, a documentary about the Russian Roma, which received awards from the American Association of Anthropology and the Royal Anthropological Institute. She assisted Karen Allen in her directorial debut, A Tree, A Rock, A Cloud. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • The Writer’s CoLab

    The Writer’s CoLab

    COMPANY COLABS The Writer's CoLab Wednesday Mornings Dates & Times Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, Seahorse Room Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall Arts Community, 22 E 30th St, 3rd Floor, The Booth Studio Hosted by Emily Kratter, Lena Kaminsky, and Rebecca Harris About the CoLab The Writer’s CoLab is a space where members can gather to write and share pages. Writing can often be isolating and working from home can be distracting. Our hope is to establish a designated space to work collectively each week, making the writing process more communal, offering accountability, and creating an opportunity to hear work aloud. The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to independent work. You are welcome to use that time however you’d like. There will be three prompts offered at the beginning of each session to inspire if needed. The second 90 minutes will be devoted to sharing, and reading. Each week, three people will have the opportunity to sign up for a 30 minute slot to use according to what is most helpful for their process. In most cases, the writer will assign roles for their pages, the pages will be read aloud, and if desired, the writer can ask for a round of feedback based upon their specific questions and needs. If you are not writing, but would like to join for the second half of this gathering to participate or listen to the shared work, you are more than welcome. Sessions run Wednesday mornings from 10am-1pm. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Brian Scott McFadden: Stand-up Comedy (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    Brian Scott McFadden: Stand Up Comedy for Actors (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    In-Person Workshop BRIAN SCOTT MCFADDEN: Stand Up Comedy for Actors Wednesday and Sunday Afternoons Dates & Times Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop, 145 West 28th St, 3rd Floor Sunday, November 12, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm West Side Comedy Club, 201 West 75th St About the Workshop Comedian, actor, and company member Brian Scott McFadden leads a workshop this November focusing on the art of stand up comedy. There are more TV shows than ever before that directly feature stand up comedy—Hacks, Mrs. Maisel, Crashing, I'm Dying Up Here, etc. In this workshop, Brian offers an introductory experience to what the stand up art form is all about, including writing, structure, and performance. In response to a series of writing prompts, participants will bring in their own ideas and work on honing them into a 2-5 minute stand up routine, concluding with a sharing onstage at a comedy club for friends and peers. If you've never done stand up, would like to try doing something that scares you, or simply use it as an acting exercise, come explore in an encouraging and supportive environment! Sessions run over two Wednesdays and a Sunday from 1pm-4pm. About Brian Scott McFadden Brian Scott McFadden is an actor comedian who has been doing stand up comedy for over 25 years. He has performed all over the world and appears regularly in clubs throughout New York City. He has been seen on Late Night With David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Star Search as well as MTV and Comedy Central. He has voiced many animated characters in movies such as Ice Age 2 and Robots as well as providing the voice of the Honey Nut Cheerio Bee, the M&M Peanut and the Serta Mattress Sheep. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Ron Van Lieu: Scene Study (11/4 & 11/5)

    Ron Van Lieu: Scene Study (11/4 & 11/5)

    Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, United States

    In-Person Workshop RON VAN LIEU: Scene Study Weekend Workshop Dates & Times Saturday, November 4, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Sunday, November 5, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop will take place in person. All company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Revered acting teacher Ron Van Lieu, founding faculty member of The Actors Center and former faculty at NYU, Yale, and Columbia, returns for a 2-day scene study workshop. Ron will be working with company members on scenes of your choice from any 20th- or 21st-century play. Sessions meet 11:00am-2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Ron will work on up to three scenes each day. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual and you will be paired with another individual. When registering, you may indicate your availability and you will have a one-hour time slot assigned for your scene accordingly. You should be off-book and well rehearsed with your material for this workshop. If your schedule does not permit sufficient time to prepare, please sign up for a future workshop instead. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Ron Van Lieu Ron Van Lieu was the Master Teacher of Acting and eventually Chair of the NYU Graduate Acting Program where he taught from 1975 to 2004. In 2004 he was appointed the Lloyd Richards Professor of Acting and Chair of the Acting Program at the Yale School of Drama where he taught until 2017, and where he is now Professor Emeritus. In 2017, Ron was appointed Professor of Professional Practice at the Columbia University School of the Arts Graduate Actor Training Program. Actors who have trained with Ron over the past 50 years have won every major award in the field of theater, acting, and dramatic arts, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Academy Award, Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Obie, among others. In addition to his university work, Ron is a founding faculty member of both The Shakespeare Lab at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater where he headed the actor training for 10 years, as well as The Actors Center, where is Artistic Director Emeritus. Ron trained at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. His acting...

  • Ron Van Lieu: Scene Study (11/4 & 11/5)

    Ron Van Lieu: Scene Study (11/4 & 11/5)

    Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, United States

    In-Person Workshop RON VAN LIEU: Scene Study Weekend Workshop Dates & Times Saturday, November 4, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Sunday, November 5, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop will take place in person. All company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Revered acting teacher Ron Van Lieu, founding faculty member of The Actors Center and former faculty at NYU, Yale, and Columbia, returns for a 2-day scene study workshop. Ron will be working with company members on scenes of your choice from any 20th- or 21st-century play. Sessions meet 11:00am-2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Ron will work on up to three scenes each day. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual and you will be paired with another individual. When registering, you may indicate your availability and you will have a one-hour time slot assigned for your scene accordingly. You should be off-book and well rehearsed with your material for this workshop. If your schedule does not permit sufficient time to prepare, please sign up for a future workshop instead. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Ron Van Lieu Ron Van Lieu was the Master Teacher of Acting and eventually Chair of the NYU Graduate Acting Program where he taught from 1975 to 2004. In 2004 he was appointed the Lloyd Richards Professor of Acting and Chair of the Acting Program at the Yale School of Drama where he taught until 2017, and where he is now Professor Emeritus. In 2017, Ron was appointed Professor of Professional Practice at the Columbia University School of the Arts Graduate Actor Training Program. Actors who have trained with Ron over the past 50 years have won every major award in the field of theater, acting, and dramatic arts, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Academy Award, Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Obie, among others. In addition to his university work, Ron is a founding faculty member of both The Shakespeare Lab at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater where he headed the actor training for 10 years, as well as The Actors Center, where is Artistic Director Emeritus. Ron trained at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. His acting...

  • Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    Kyle Donnelly: Fall with Chekhov (10/16-11/6)

    In-Person Workshop KYLE DONNELLY: Fall with Chekhov 4 Monday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, October 16, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 23, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, October 30, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Monday, November 6, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop 145 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor This workshop is open to in-person observers and all company members are invited to attend. Observers may attend for any portion of each session. No RSVP required to observe. About the Workshop Director and educator Kyle Donnelly joins The Actors Center for the first time for a series of Monday mornings luxuriating in the world of Anton Chekhov. With his plays, Chekhov created such complex characters and relationships. Over four sessions, Kyle will work with participants on short excerpts of Chekhov scenes. With attention to text, and experimenting with interpretation, participants will spend time finding the pathos, deep loneliness and humor of these characters. Each scene will work every week. You can either choose a short scene or Kyle can offer suggested scenes to explore. Any translation is welcome, including the most contemporary, as long as the full script can be shared. Sessions run Mondays from 11am-2pm. Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. You can sign up either together with a scene partner or as an individual to be paired with another individual. Occasional conflicts can be accommodated. If you are looking for a scene partner, you may post in the comments thread, or you can also find contact information for all members in the member directory. About Kyle Donnelly Kyle Donnelly has worked as a freelance director in the American Regional Theatre for over 40 years at such venues as Arena Stage, Goodman, Roundabout, Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, South Coast Rep, Huntington Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Old Globe, McCarter, and Williamstown, among others. She was the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award by TCG for directing. She was the Associate Artistic Director at Arena Stage from 1991–1998. She has also been a long time acting teacher, from running her own studio in Chicago for 10 years to Head of the M.F.A. Acting program at UC, San Diego for 18 years. She is currently living in New York City and teaching her own professional studio acting and directing classes. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • The Writer’s CoLab

    The Writer’s CoLab

    COMPANY COLABS The Writer's CoLab Wednesday Mornings Dates & Times Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, Seahorse Room Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall Arts Community, 22 E 30th St, 3rd Floor, The Booth Studio Hosted by Emily Kratter, Lena Kaminsky, and Rebecca Harris About the CoLab The Writer’s CoLab is a space where members can gather to write and share pages. Writing can often be isolating and working from home can be distracting. Our hope is to establish a designated space to work collectively each week, making the writing process more communal, offering accountability, and creating an opportunity to hear work aloud. The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to independent work. You are welcome to use that time however you’d like. There will be three prompts offered at the beginning of each session to inspire if needed. The second 90 minutes will be devoted to sharing, and reading. Each week, three people will have the opportunity to sign up for a 30 minute slot to use according to what is most helpful for their process. In most cases, the writer will assign roles for their pages, the pages will be read aloud, and if desired, the writer can ask for a round of feedback based upon their specific questions and needs. If you are not writing, but would like to join for the second half of this gathering to participate or listen to the shared work, you are more than welcome. Sessions run Wednesday mornings from 10am-1pm. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Brian Scott McFadden: Stand-up Comedy (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    Brian Scott McFadden: Stand Up Comedy for Actors (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    In-Person Workshop BRIAN SCOTT MCFADDEN: Stand Up Comedy for Actors Wednesday and Sunday Afternoons Dates & Times Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop, 145 West 28th St, 3rd Floor Sunday, November 12, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm West Side Comedy Club, 201 West 75th St About the Workshop Comedian, actor, and company member Brian Scott McFadden leads a workshop this November focusing on the art of stand up comedy. There are more TV shows than ever before that directly feature stand up comedy—Hacks, Mrs. Maisel, Crashing, I'm Dying Up Here, etc. In this workshop, Brian offers an introductory experience to what the stand up art form is all about, including writing, structure, and performance. In response to a series of writing prompts, participants will bring in their own ideas and work on honing them into a 2-5 minute stand up routine, concluding with a sharing onstage at a comedy club for friends and peers. If you've never done stand up, would like to try doing something that scares you, or simply use it as an acting exercise, come explore in an encouraging and supportive environment! Sessions run over two Wednesdays and a Sunday from 1pm-4pm. About Brian Scott McFadden Brian Scott McFadden is an actor comedian who has been doing stand up comedy for over 25 years. He has performed all over the world and appears regularly in clubs throughout New York City. He has been seen on Late Night With David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Star Search as well as MTV and Comedy Central. He has voiced many animated characters in movies such as Ice Age 2 and Robots as well as providing the voice of the Honey Nut Cheerio Bee, the M&M Peanut and the Serta Mattress Sheep. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Damian Young: Script Analysis (TBD)

    Damian Young: Screenplay Analysis (11/9-11/30)

    Zoom Workshop DAMIAN YOUNG: Screenplay Analysis Three Thursday Evenings Dates & Times Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET This workshop takes place on Zoom. Enrollment is open to all company members. About the Workshop Actor, teacher, and co-founder of The Moving Frame, Damian Young, returns to The Actors Center this November for three Zoom sessions devoted to Screenplay Analysis. Screenplays and Television scripts are blueprints for building visual stories. Do you often find yourself reading a film or tv scene and thinking “there’s not much here” or, on set, asking yourself “why are they shooting it that way?” Our ability to quickly and effectively analyze a scene prior to making specific acting choices ensures we are telling the same story as our collaborators. Damian will guide participants in how to more readily identify genre, story, tone, environment, and emotional stakes of a scene. He will share distinct scenes from a variety of filmed material. Sessions run Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm, on Zoom. About Damian Young Damian Young is an actor and teacher. He is a partner in The Moving Frame, which conducts screen acting intensives and workshops both privately as well as in training programs across the US and abroad. The Moving Frame’s many visits include: The Actors Center, NYU Grad Acting, Brown/Trinity MFA, Columbia MFA Acting, ACT, FSU/Asolo Conservatory, Syracuse University/ Tepper, SMU MFA/BFA, Bowdoin College, Yale School of Drama Summer Program, The Freeman Studio, Emerson MFA Film, The Atlantic Conservatory and Atlantic NYU, 16th Street Actors Studio in Australia, among others. Damian has served on the faculty of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers’ Teacher Development Program for several years. Damian is a career actor with over 100 credited film and television appearances. His work spans the films of Hal Hartley and cult favorite Nickelodeon's Pete and Pete, to roles in films such as Birdman, Catfight, Wonderstruck, and Ocean's 8. His recent work includes a series regular on HBO’s The Comeback, and recurring roles on House of Cards, Ozark, Homeland, and The Good Wife. Damian has worked extensively in theatre, both on and off-Broadway, as well as regionally. Register Now Participants Participants may attend any of the sessions and conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Brian Scott McFadden: Stand-up Comedy (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    Brian Scott McFadden: Stand Up Comedy for Actors (11/1, 11/8, & 11/12)

    In-Person Workshop BRIAN SCOTT MCFADDEN: Stand Up Comedy for Actors Wednesday and Sunday Afternoons Dates & Times Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm Actors Theatre Workshop, 145 West 28th St, 3rd Floor Sunday, November 12, 2023 – 1:00pm-4:00pm West Side Comedy Club, 201 West 75th St About the Workshop Comedian, actor, and company member Brian Scott McFadden leads a workshop this November focusing on the art of stand up comedy. There are more TV shows than ever before that directly feature stand up comedy—Hacks, Mrs. Maisel, Crashing, I'm Dying Up Here, etc. In this workshop, Brian offers an introductory experience to what the stand up art form is all about, including writing, structure, and performance. In response to a series of writing prompts, participants will bring in their own ideas and work on honing them into a 2-5 minute stand up routine, concluding with a sharing onstage at a comedy club for friends and peers. If you've never done stand up, would like to try doing something that scares you, or simply use it as an acting exercise, come explore in an encouraging and supportive environment! Sessions run over two Wednesdays and a Sunday from 1pm-4pm. About Brian Scott McFadden Brian Scott McFadden is an actor comedian who has been doing stand up comedy for over 25 years. He has performed all over the world and appears regularly in clubs throughout New York City. He has been seen on Late Night With David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Star Search as well as MTV and Comedy Central. He has voiced many animated characters in movies such as Ice Age 2 and Robots as well as providing the voice of the Honey Nut Cheerio Bee, the M&M Peanut and the Serta Mattress Sheep. Register Now Participants Comments/Queries

  • Jason Kravits: Musical Improv (11/13 & 11/14)

    Jason Kravits: Musical Improv for Actors (11/13 & 11/14)

    In-Person Workshop JASON KRAVITS: Musical Improv for Actors 2 Weekday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, November 13, 2023 – 11:00am-3:30pm Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Houghton Hall, 22 East 30th Street, 2nd Floor, Ballroom About the Workshop Actor, writer, improviser, and company member, Jason Kravits, returns for another offering of his workshop Musical Improv for Actors. Over two sessions, Jason extends the tenets of improv games to explore using music as a tool in telling stories and expanding character—looking at how melody, rhythm, pace and volume influence the meaning behind lyrics, and touching on musical styles, song structure, and rhyming. No previous singing or improv experience necessary! Monday's session runs 11:00am-3:30pm and Tuesday's session runs 11:00am-2:00pm. About Jason Kravits Jason Kravits is the creator and performer of the award-winning show “Off the Top!,” a solo, completely improvised cabaret that he has performed over 50 times in 7 cities on 3 continents (and one ocean). Jason’s television credits include his long-running role as Richard Bay on ABC’s The Practice, recurring roles on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Mick, Madam Secretary, Smash, The Michael J. Fox Show, Royal Pains, and Dallas, and numerous other appearances on shows including Young Sheldon, Disjointed, Homeland, Kevin Can Wait, Instinct, Major Crimes,Blindspot, The Blacklist, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hot in Cleveland, The Kominsky Method, Married, Masters of Sex, Raising Hope, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Gilmore Girls, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Everybody Loves Raymond and all the Law and Order franchises. Film Credits include Chinese Puzzle (Casse-tête chinois), The Stepford Wives, Sweet November, Morning Glory, Laura Gets a Cat, and What Just Happened. On Broadway, Jason is best know for his work in The Drowsy Chaperone. Other credits include Sly Fox and most recently, Relatively Speaking, three original one-acts by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen. He is also co-founder of University of Maryland’s long-running improv group, “Erasable, Inc.,” now in it’s 37th year. Register Now Participants Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. Participants are expected to attend all sessions. Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Jason Kravits: Musical Improv (11/13 & 11/14)

    Jason Kravits: Musical Improv for Actors (11/13 & 11/14)

    In-Person Workshop JASON KRAVITS: Musical Improv for Actors 2 Weekday Mornings Dates & Times Monday, November 13, 2023 – 11:00am-3:30pm Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – 11:00am-2:00pm Houghton Hall, 22 East 30th Street, 2nd Floor, Ballroom About the Workshop Actor, writer, improviser, and company member, Jason Kravits, returns for another offering of his workshop Musical Improv for Actors. Over two sessions, Jason extends the tenets of improv games to explore using music as a tool in telling stories and expanding character—looking at how melody, rhythm, pace and volume influence the meaning behind lyrics, and touching on musical styles, song structure, and rhyming. No previous singing or improv experience necessary! Monday's session runs 11:00am-3:30pm and Tuesday's session runs 11:00am-2:00pm. About Jason Kravits Jason Kravits is the creator and performer of the award-winning show “Off the Top!,” a solo, completely improvised cabaret that he has performed over 50 times in 7 cities on 3 continents (and one ocean). Jason’s television credits include his long-running role as Richard Bay on ABC’s The Practice, recurring roles on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Mick, Madam Secretary, Smash, The Michael J. Fox Show, Royal Pains, and Dallas, and numerous other appearances on shows including Young Sheldon, Disjointed, Homeland, Kevin Can Wait, Instinct, Major Crimes,Blindspot, The Blacklist, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hot in Cleveland, The Kominsky Method, Married, Masters of Sex, Raising Hope, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Gilmore Girls, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Everybody Loves Raymond and all the Law and Order franchises. Film Credits include Chinese Puzzle (Casse-tête chinois), The Stepford Wives, Sweet November, Morning Glory, Laura Gets a Cat, and What Just Happened. On Broadway, Jason is best know for his work in The Drowsy Chaperone. Other credits include Sly Fox and most recently, Relatively Speaking, three original one-acts by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen. He is also co-founder of University of Maryland’s long-running improv group, “Erasable, Inc.,” now in it’s 37th year. Register Now Participants Enrollment is limited to 12 actors. Participants are expected to attend all sessions. Comments/Queries

  • The Writer’s CoLab

    The Writer’s CoLab

    COMPANY COLABS The Writer's CoLab Wednesday Mornings Dates & Times Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Pier 57, 25 11th Ave, Seahorse Room Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 8, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall Arts Community, 22 E 30th St, 3rd Floor, The Booth Studio Hosted by Emily Kratter, Lena Kaminsky, and Rebecca Harris About the CoLab The Writer’s CoLab is a space where members can gather to write and share pages. Writing can often be isolating and working from home can be distracting. Our hope is to establish a designated space to work collectively each week, making the writing process more communal, offering accountability, and creating an opportunity to hear work aloud. The first 90 minutes of the meeting will be devoted to independent work. You are welcome to use that time however you’d like. There will be three prompts offered at the beginning of each session to inspire if needed. The second 90 minutes will be devoted to sharing, and reading. Each week, three people will have the opportunity to sign up for a 30 minute slot to use according to what is most helpful for their process. In most cases, the writer will assign roles for their pages, the pages will be read aloud, and if desired, the writer can ask for a round of feedback based upon their specific questions and needs. If you are not writing, but would like to join for the second half of this gathering to participate or listen to the shared work, you are more than welcome. Sessions run Wednesday mornings from 10am-1pm. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Damian Young: Script Analysis (TBD)

    Damian Young: Screenplay Analysis (11/9-11/30)

    Zoom Workshop DAMIAN YOUNG: Screenplay Analysis Three Thursday Evenings Dates & Times Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET This workshop takes place on Zoom. Enrollment is open to all company members. About the Workshop Actor, teacher, and co-founder of The Moving Frame, Damian Young, returns to The Actors Center this November for three Zoom sessions devoted to Screenplay Analysis. Screenplays and Television scripts are blueprints for building visual stories. Do you often find yourself reading a film or tv scene and thinking “there’s not much here” or, on set, asking yourself “why are they shooting it that way?” Our ability to quickly and effectively analyze a scene prior to making specific acting choices ensures we are telling the same story as our collaborators. Damian will guide participants in how to more readily identify genre, story, tone, environment, and emotional stakes of a scene. He will share distinct scenes from a variety of filmed material. Sessions run Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm, on Zoom. About Damian Young Damian Young is an actor and teacher. He is a partner in The Moving Frame, which conducts screen acting intensives and workshops both privately as well as in training programs across the US and abroad. The Moving Frame’s many visits include: The Actors Center, NYU Grad Acting, Brown/Trinity MFA, Columbia MFA Acting, ACT, FSU/Asolo Conservatory, Syracuse University/ Tepper, SMU MFA/BFA, Bowdoin College, Yale School of Drama Summer Program, The Freeman Studio, Emerson MFA Film, The Atlantic Conservatory and Atlantic NYU, 16th Street Actors Studio in Australia, among others. Damian has served on the faculty of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers’ Teacher Development Program for several years. Damian is a career actor with over 100 credited film and television appearances. His work spans the films of Hal Hartley and cult favorite Nickelodeon's Pete and Pete, to roles in films such as Birdman, Catfight, Wonderstruck, and Ocean's 8. His recent work includes a series regular on HBO’s The Comeback, and recurring roles on House of Cards, Ozark, Homeland, and The Good Wife. Damian has worked extensively in theatre, both on and off-Broadway, as well as regionally. Register Now Participants Participants may attend any of the sessions and conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Tonya Pinkins: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art (11/28-12/14)

    In-Person Workshop TONYA PINKINS: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 7, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 14, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall, 22 East 30th St, 2nd Floor, Ballroom This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Award-winning actress, filmmaker, and teacher Tonya Pinkins leads a workshop with The Actors Center devoted to cultivating radical authenticity in your life and art through the Meisner method. Tonya learned the Meisner method fifty years ago, first from her elementary school teacher, and then from Sanford Meisner, followed by William H. Macy, Steven Shachter, William Esper, and Tim Phillips. Over seven sessions, Tonya will guide actors through the principles of the method, emphasizing active listening and truthful, spontaneous reactions. Offering tools to connect actors more authentically with their scene partners, their characters, and their own emotions, this workshop will not only support greater honesty in performance, but support actors in being more present and self-aware in their lives. Sessions run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. About Tonya Pinkins Tonya Pinkins is an award winning actor. She has been in nine Broadway shows, two day time soap operas, numerous episodic television shows and feature films. Some of her awards include a Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, 3 Lortels, the 2020 Franky Award for long term impact in contemporary theater, and the 2021 Rachel Crothers Leadership Award from The League of Professional Theater Women. She has been nominated for the Olivier, Ovation, Helen Hayes, Noel, Jefferson, and NAACP Theater awards among others. Tonya has been a Fulbright Scholar and a Beinecke Fellow at Yale. Her debut Feature film, Red Pill has won numerous best feature and best director awards around the world. She is the author of “Get Over Yourself: How to drop the drama and claim the life you deserve,” published in 2006 by Hyperion, and “Red Pill Unmasked” available on audible. Her essays on America Theater can be found on Medium. Register Now Participants Participants are expected to be able to attend most sessions, while limited conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries

  • Tonya Pinkins: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art (11/28-12/14)

    In-Person Workshop TONYA PINKINS: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 7, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 14, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall, 22 East 30th St, 2nd Floor, Ballroom This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Award-winning actress, filmmaker, and teacher Tonya Pinkins leads a workshop with The Actors Center devoted to cultivating radical authenticity in your life and art through the Meisner method. Tonya learned the Meisner method fifty years ago, first from her elementary school teacher, and then from Sanford Meisner, followed by William H. Macy, Steven Shachter, William Esper, and Tim Phillips. Over seven sessions, Tonya will guide actors through the principles of the method, emphasizing active listening and truthful, spontaneous reactions. Offering tools to connect actors more authentically with their scene partners, their characters, and their own emotions, this workshop will not only support greater honesty in performance, but support actors in being more present and self-aware in their lives. Sessions run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. About Tonya Pinkins Tonya Pinkins is an award winning actor. She has been in nine Broadway shows, two day time soap operas, numerous episodic television shows and feature films. Some of her awards include a Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, 3 Lortels, the 2020 Franky Award for long term impact in contemporary theater, and the 2021 Rachel Crothers Leadership Award from The League of Professional Theater Women. She has been nominated for the Olivier, Ovation, Helen Hayes, Noel, Jefferson, and NAACP Theater awards among others. Tonya has been a Fulbright Scholar and a Beinecke Fellow at Yale. Her debut Feature film, Red Pill has won numerous best feature and best director awards around the world. She is the author of “Get Over Yourself: How to drop the drama and claim the life you deserve,” published in 2006 by Hyperion, and “Red Pill Unmasked” available on audible. Her essays on America Theater can be found on Medium. Register Now Participants Participants are expected to be able to attend most sessions, while limited conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Damian Young: Script Analysis (TBD)

    Damian Young: Screenplay Analysis (11/9-11/30)

    Zoom Workshop DAMIAN YOUNG: Screenplay Analysis Three Thursday Evenings Dates & Times Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 7:00pm-9:00pm ET This workshop takes place on Zoom. Enrollment is open to all company members. About the Workshop Actor, teacher, and co-founder of The Moving Frame, Damian Young, returns to The Actors Center this November for three Zoom sessions devoted to Screenplay Analysis. Screenplays and Television scripts are blueprints for building visual stories. Do you often find yourself reading a film or tv scene and thinking “there’s not much here” or, on set, asking yourself “why are they shooting it that way?” Our ability to quickly and effectively analyze a scene prior to making specific acting choices ensures we are telling the same story as our collaborators. Damian will guide participants in how to more readily identify genre, story, tone, environment, and emotional stakes of a scene. He will share distinct scenes from a variety of filmed material. Sessions run Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm, on Zoom. About Damian Young Damian Young is an actor and teacher. He is a partner in The Moving Frame, which conducts screen acting intensives and workshops both privately as well as in training programs across the US and abroad. The Moving Frame’s many visits include: The Actors Center, NYU Grad Acting, Brown/Trinity MFA, Columbia MFA Acting, ACT, FSU/Asolo Conservatory, Syracuse University/ Tepper, SMU MFA/BFA, Bowdoin College, Yale School of Drama Summer Program, The Freeman Studio, Emerson MFA Film, The Atlantic Conservatory and Atlantic NYU, 16th Street Actors Studio in Australia, among others. Damian has served on the faculty of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers’ Teacher Development Program for several years. Damian is a career actor with over 100 credited film and television appearances. His work spans the films of Hal Hartley and cult favorite Nickelodeon's Pete and Pete, to roles in films such as Birdman, Catfight, Wonderstruck, and Ocean's 8. His recent work includes a series regular on HBO’s The Comeback, and recurring roles on House of Cards, Ozark, Homeland, and The Good Wife. Damian has worked extensively in theatre, both on and off-Broadway, as well as regionally. Register Now Participants Participants may attend any of the sessions and conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Study Hall: Weekly Writing Space

    Study Hall

    COMPANY COLABS Study Hall Friday Mornings Dates & Times Friday, September 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 22, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, September 29, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 6, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 13, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 20, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, October 27, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 3, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 10, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, November 17, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 1, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 8, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET Friday, December 15, 2023 - 9:00am-11:00am ET On Zoom Hosted by Rebecca Harris About the CoLab Are you feeling that back to school vibe? Do you find yourself buying blank notebooks and 10 packs of rollerball pens? Perhaps you would like to write a play to perform or your add a chapter to your memoir? Maybe you need to apply for a grant for your short film? Or just do some of that onerous paperwork that comes with adulting? Rebecca Harris continues hosting Study Hall, a series of informal gatherings for company members to work on writing projects (or other tasks) you have in development. The idea is to support each other’s progress by providing consistent time, space, and community, to use as you see fit. The group will meet Friday mornings on Zoom from 9:00am-11:00am. In each of the sessions, there will be a quick (optional) check in at the beginning. You can feel free to share an intention for the time (or not.) And then work, cameras on or off. Then reconvene around 10:45am to report back or check out, which is also optional. Please come and go as you wish and feel free to use the time and accountability in the way that best serves your artistic purposes. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. RSVP Now Comments/Queries

  • Will Davis: Collaboration (12/2-12/4)

    Will Davis: Play Laboratory (12/2-12/4)

    In-Person Workshop WILL DAVIS: Play Laboratory Picnic by William Inge 3-Day Weekend Dates & Times Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio W) Sunday, December 3, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio D) Monday, December 4, 2023 – 5:00pm-9:00pm (Studio D) Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center 280 Broadway, Entrance at 53A Chambers Street This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Director and choreographer Will Davis joins The Actors Center for the first time this December for a play laboratory, examining the world of William Inge’s Picnic. Over three days, we’ll experiment with the play, collaboratively exploring scenes on our feet and alternating roles (including across gender), all informed by Will’s unique and physically adventurous directing style. From Will Davis: This piece has always compelled me. It's a world where big emotions are forbidden and yet all anyone has in this play are big emotions, which builds fantastic pressure inside the scenes. The play is melancholy and strange, it's pastoral and poetic and it can also feel stilted and pulpy. All these things seem to crash together and create more of a dream logic to me, than a naturalistic ordered play. The language can sound weird to our current ears. I like the opportunity it presents to create a world of emotion under the surface of the language and then use that language as a pressurizing force. As a result, I find these scenes are great canvases to play on—they can hold as much as we want them to, they're very malleable. This play is all in the subtext. It's a very internal dreamy play that at first seems to be all surface. A mentor once told me: Inge is America's Chekhov and Picnic is his masterpiece. I agree. Sessions run Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, and Monday, 5pm-9pm. About WIll Davis Will Davis is a transgender director and choreographer focused on physically adventurous new work for the stage. Will is Artistic Director of Rattlestick Theater, and the first transgender person to lead a major nonprofit institution without a defined LGBTQ mission. Off-Broadway credits include: Road Show (Encores! Off-Center); India Pale Ale (MTC); Bobbie Clearly (Roundabout Underground); Charm (MCC); Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb and Playwrights Horizons—Lucille Lortel nomination); and Duat (Soho Rep). Regional credits include: As You Like It (La Jolla Playhouse) The Swindlers (Baltimore Center Stage); Everybody (Shakespeare Theater Company); A Doll’s...

  • Will Davis: Collaboration (12/2-12/4)

    Will Davis: Play Laboratory (12/2-12/4)

    In-Person Workshop WILL DAVIS: Play Laboratory Picnic by William Inge 3-Day Weekend Dates & Times Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio W) Sunday, December 3, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio D) Monday, December 4, 2023 – 5:00pm-9:00pm (Studio D) Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center 280 Broadway, Entrance at 53A Chambers Street This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Director and choreographer Will Davis joins The Actors Center for the first time this December for a play laboratory, examining the world of William Inge’s Picnic. Over three days, we’ll experiment with the play, collaboratively exploring scenes on our feet and alternating roles (including across gender), all informed by Will’s unique and physically adventurous directing style. From Will Davis: This piece has always compelled me. It's a world where big emotions are forbidden and yet all anyone has in this play are big emotions, which builds fantastic pressure inside the scenes. The play is melancholy and strange, it's pastoral and poetic and it can also feel stilted and pulpy. All these things seem to crash together and create more of a dream logic to me, than a naturalistic ordered play. The language can sound weird to our current ears. I like the opportunity it presents to create a world of emotion under the surface of the language and then use that language as a pressurizing force. As a result, I find these scenes are great canvases to play on—they can hold as much as we want them to, they're very malleable. This play is all in the subtext. It's a very internal dreamy play that at first seems to be all surface. A mentor once told me: Inge is America's Chekhov and Picnic is his masterpiece. I agree. Sessions run Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, and Monday, 5pm-9pm. About WIll Davis Will Davis is a transgender director and choreographer focused on physically adventurous new work for the stage. Will is Artistic Director of Rattlestick Theater, and the first transgender person to lead a major nonprofit institution without a defined LGBTQ mission. Off-Broadway credits include: Road Show (Encores! Off-Center); India Pale Ale (MTC); Bobbie Clearly (Roundabout Underground); Charm (MCC); Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb and Playwrights Horizons—Lucille Lortel nomination); and Duat (Soho Rep). Regional credits include: As You Like It (La Jolla Playhouse) The Swindlers (Baltimore Center Stage); Everybody (Shakespeare Theater Company); A Doll’s...

  • Will Davis: Collaboration (12/2-12/4)

    Will Davis: Play Laboratory (12/2-12/4)

    In-Person Workshop WILL DAVIS: Play Laboratory Picnic by William Inge 3-Day Weekend Dates & Times Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio W) Sunday, December 3, 2023 – 10:00am-5:00pm (Studio D) Monday, December 4, 2023 – 5:00pm-9:00pm (Studio D) Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center 280 Broadway, Entrance at 53A Chambers Street This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Director and choreographer Will Davis joins The Actors Center for the first time this December for a play laboratory, examining the world of William Inge’s Picnic. Over three days, we’ll experiment with the play, collaboratively exploring scenes on our feet and alternating roles (including across gender), all informed by Will’s unique and physically adventurous directing style. From Will Davis: This piece has always compelled me. It's a world where big emotions are forbidden and yet all anyone has in this play are big emotions, which builds fantastic pressure inside the scenes. The play is melancholy and strange, it's pastoral and poetic and it can also feel stilted and pulpy. All these things seem to crash together and create more of a dream logic to me, than a naturalistic ordered play. The language can sound weird to our current ears. I like the opportunity it presents to create a world of emotion under the surface of the language and then use that language as a pressurizing force. As a result, I find these scenes are great canvases to play on—they can hold as much as we want them to, they're very malleable. This play is all in the subtext. It's a very internal dreamy play that at first seems to be all surface. A mentor once told me: Inge is America's Chekhov and Picnic is his masterpiece. I agree. Sessions run Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm, and Monday, 5pm-9pm. About WIll Davis Will Davis is a transgender director and choreographer focused on physically adventurous new work for the stage. Will is Artistic Director of Rattlestick Theater, and the first transgender person to lead a major nonprofit institution without a defined LGBTQ mission. Off-Broadway credits include: Road Show (Encores! Off-Center); India Pale Ale (MTC); Bobbie Clearly (Roundabout Underground); Charm (MCC); Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb and Playwrights Horizons—Lucille Lortel nomination); and Duat (Soho Rep). Regional credits include: As You Like It (La Jolla Playhouse) The Swindlers (Baltimore Center Stage); Everybody (Shakespeare Theater Company); A Doll’s...

  • Tonya Pinkins: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art (11/28-12/14)

    In-Person Workshop TONYA PINKINS: Radical Authenticity in Life and Art Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Mornings Dates & Times Tuesday, November 28, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 7, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Thursday, December 14, 2023 – 10:00am-1:00pm Houghton Hall, 22 East 30th St, 2nd Floor, Ballroom This workshop is open to observers and all company members are invited to attend. About the Workshop Award-winning actress, filmmaker, and teacher Tonya Pinkins leads a workshop with The Actors Center devoted to cultivating radical authenticity in your life and art through the Meisner method. Tonya learned the Meisner method fifty years ago, first from her elementary school teacher, and then from Sanford Meisner, followed by William H. Macy, Steven Shachter, William Esper, and Tim Phillips. Over seven sessions, Tonya will guide actors through the principles of the method, emphasizing active listening and truthful, spontaneous reactions. Offering tools to connect actors more authentically with their scene partners, their characters, and their own emotions, this workshop will not only support greater honesty in performance, but support actors in being more present and self-aware in their lives. Sessions run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm. About Tonya Pinkins Tonya Pinkins is an award winning actor. She has been in nine Broadway shows, two day time soap operas, numerous episodic television shows and feature films. Some of her awards include a Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, 3 Lortels, the 2020 Franky Award for long term impact in contemporary theater, and the 2021 Rachel Crothers Leadership Award from The League of Professional Theater Women. She has been nominated for the Olivier, Ovation, Helen Hayes, Noel, Jefferson, and NAACP Theater awards among others. Tonya has been a Fulbright Scholar and a Beinecke Fellow at Yale. Her debut Feature film, Red Pill has won numerous best feature and best director awards around the world. She is the author of “Get Over Yourself: How to drop the drama and claim the life you deserve,” published in 2006 by Hyperion, and “Red Pill Unmasked” available on audible. Her essays on America Theater can be found on Medium. Register Now Participants Participants are expected to be able to attend most sessions, while limited conflicts can be accommodated. Comments/Queries

  • Weekly Community Space

    Weekly Community Space

    Company CoLabs Community Space Tuesday Mornings Dates & Times Every Tuesday – 11:00am-12:30pm ET Launch Zoom Link Meeting ID: 837 0411 7798 Passcode: 374737 Hosted by Jodie Lynne McClintock About the CoLab Started three years ago at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown as a way to connect, it has continued weekly as a family of actors navigating the changing landscape of our times. Here you will find a supportive, safe virtual space where artists in our company bring their stories, concerns, questions, recommendations, and inspirations in a free-wheeling but facilitated discussion. With no set agenda, we delve into whatever is of interest or concern in any given week. We explore what it means to be an actor and what place our art holds in the world.  People suggest balm for body and soul while walking hand-in-hand along the actor’s way. About the Series Company CoLabs are a series at The Actors Center that offer a framework for collaborative explorations and community programming among company members. Company members host or facilitate projects—play reading groups, explorations of new material or approaches, writing labs, devising work, field trips, retreats—in short, anything inspiring to explore among peers. CoLabs offer creative outlets to explore work you might not otherwise have the opportunity for, while continuing to share resources and deepen connections among our Actors Center community. Comments/Queries