THE ACTOR / SINGER:  A Master Class with Judy Kuhn

This is a class for the singing actor that focuses on song interpretation and vocal performance.  Students work individually on material of their choice with Tony Award Nominee Judy Kuhn each class, as well as participate in group exercises.  Students who take the class should come ready to play, feel free to experiment with material and take risks.  Although this is not a vocal technique class, Judy will address individual technical concerns and make suggestions about how to approach working on them.

Headshot/Resume submission required for consideration.

SHAKESPEARE’S HEIGHTENED LANGUAGE

with Patsy Rodenburg

Coming In July 2010.  See below for dates.

Do not miss this opportunity to explore Shakespeare’s text with the Head of the Voice Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.  See why Dame Judi Dench claims “The best thing you could possibly have is a class with Patsy.”  

Patsy teaches exclusively at Michael Howard Studios in New York City.

“Patsy’s guidance and the clarity and directness of her approach have been invaluable to me.”

Ralph Fiennes

“Patsy Rodenburg wants to free your voice so that you can express yourself fully and honestly.”

Sir Ian McKellan

“I am an enormous fan of her work. What is wonderful about her is the directness and clarity of her teaching and her enthusiasm.”

Dame Judi Dench

“She gives you a wondrously simple way of releasing the voice and body - which also becomes a way of life.”

Anna Massey

Actors must have participated in past Levels 1 & 2 in order to enroll in Level 3 or by approval by Patsy Rodenburg 

We believe taking all three intensives in sequence will heighten the work and create the most artistically fulfilling experience for the actor.  Those actors who enroll in all 3 workshops will be given a 10% discount.

To apply, please email us your headshot and resume.

SCENE STUDY WORKSHOP

with Olympia Dukakis

Award® Winner Olympia Dukakis will share her wisdom and passion in this three-day intensive.  The class will include monologue work and scene study.

ACCENT REDUCTION with David Wells

Do you lose parts because of your accent?  This innovative class combines group instruction and individual drill to develop a neutral “General American” accent.  Suitable for foreign actors who want to work in America and for American actors who want to increase their castability.  This class mixes group work with one-on-one sessions.

ACTING FOR FILM & TELEVISION with Gabrielle Berberich

From learning what works best at a taped audition, to the language and dynamics of a film set, to establishing trust with a director and understanding the actor’s part in the production process, this class will give you an insider’s perspective on both the creative technique and the practical necessities of working in film and television.  The course will also feature several visits from guest professionals from all areas of the industry, including casting and production.  Berberich is a casting director, writer, and producer for film and television, as well as the owner of Michael Howard Studios.

Headshot/Resume Submission Required for Consideration.

Click here to learn more about Gabrielle’s film Greetings From The Shore,

currently in international release

ADVANCED LUCID BODY TECHNIQUE

                  with Fay Simpson

This Workshop incorporates the teachings of the Lucid Body Technique into working with text.  By first drawing awareness to, and then breaking the habits that bind the posture in a fixed stance, the student will learn about the kinesthetic feeling of emotional flow, where the mind steps aside and allows the body to lead.   *Prerequisite is Lucid Body Technique

Click here to purchase a copy

LUCID BODY TECHNIQUE

with Fay Simpson

The goal of this class is to unleash the emotional and physical possibilities of the body. By first drawing awareness to, and then breaking the habits that bind the posture in a  fixed stance, the student will learn about the kinesthetic feeling of emotional flow, where the mind steps aside and allows the body to lead.

Click to purchase a copy

VOCAL PRODUCTION:

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

with David Wells

Learn the principles of effective voice use in this eight week introduction of vocal development.  Celebrated teacher/coach David Wells introduces you to the underlying causes of vocal difficulties and shows you how the simple, diligent practice of an organized set of exercises can put you on the road to the voice you deserve.  You will discover the depth and individuality of your own voice and celebrate its unique contribution to the art of theater, film, and television.

SCENE STUDY INTENSIVE

with Joan Darling

Emmy Award® Winner Joan Darling shares her wisdom and passion in this three-day intensive.  The class will include monologue work and scene study.

FUNDAMENTALS OF ACTING 

with Naomi Thornton

This course is a perfect introduction to the studio for those new to the craft, or those wanting to revive long-dormant skills.  Through exercises and improvisations, this workshop will inspire the actor to make inventive and dynamic choices when preparing for an audition or creating a role, in theatre, film and television.  Emphasis is on the fundamentals of relaxation, concentration, and imagination towards the exploration of a career in stage, film, and television.

June 9th - July 8th

(Wednesdays and Thursdays)

5 Weeks, 10 Classes

6 - 9 PM

$575

KINETIC ANIMAL IMAGERY

with Polina Klimovitskaya

Animals, animals, animals.  They will lead the actor to the most natural birth of a dramatic character.  Through “animal work” the actor’s innate nature is awakened and stimulated toward harmonious transformation into another being.  Eventually each “animal” will find its human equivalent and transform into a dramatic character of the student’s choice (chosen from a play or short story.)  There will be a final presentation of each student’s work held in front of an invited audience.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

for ACTORS

with Daniel Singer

Dynamic, Clear, Self-Empowering Group Classes.  Appropriate for Beginning and Advanced Actors with senior educator of the Alexander Technique, Daniel Singer.

              Drop-In Format - Flexible Scheduling

RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER!

Click Here for Radio Interview with Daniel Singer

ADVANCED VOCAL PRODUCTION:

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

with David Wells

Practice, Practice, Practice.  Level Two provides a “woodshed” for actors to work on their material using the principles of good vocal production.

Each session includes a warm up, then leads to in-depth investigation of the methods of vocal expression introduced in Level One.  Through individual exercises, actors will explore advanced vocal production in challenging texts and situations.  Auditions, classical texts, scene-work, rehearsal techniques and personal voice issues will be addressed in a supportive format that encourages each artist to take risks and grow.

*Prerequisite is Vocal Production or other pre-approved voice training.

THE ART OF FILM

with Alister Sanderson

In 6 sessions, you will increase your awareness of how acting in film is inter-related with camera-work,sound-work, editing, lighting, sets and locations, props, costume and make-up, digital effects, and with narrative and non-narrative material.  This class invites you to think about how an actor in 2009 can draw on and contribute to the 120 year tradition of cinematic performance, and how the art of film shapes the way we live our lives.

You will screen one feature film in its entirety but in parts along with short films and sequences, and will explore how a Hollywood-style does its work.

THE COMEDIC CHARACTER

with Andrew Shaifer

Veteran comic performer Andrew Shaifer returns to MHS offering an 8-week workshop in contemporary comedic skills for stage, film, and television.  From stand-up to sitcom to sketch comedy to solo performance, this workshop will offer a variety of lively exercises that will enhance your ability to use comedy in live performance, during auditions and on the set.  A perfect offering for any actor interested in creating and performing their own comedic work by writing one’s own material, telling personal stories, and collaborating with other class members on sketches.

This workshop culminates in a final group performance at Michael Howard Studios.

Andrew Shaifer is his own man.  No one can do what Shaif does.

                    Adam Sandler

TEXT ANALYSIS:

THE WORLD OF THE PLAYWRIGHT

An Intensive with

with Alexandra Neil

One of the most overlooked, but critically important aspects of an actor’s craft is the ability to analyze text.  To fully understand writers such as Tennessee Williams and Sam Shepard, to Jonathan Demme and Quentin Tarantino, part of our job is to enter the world of the playwright.  Led by celebrated actor / teacher Alexandra Neil, actors will find this three-day intensive immensely useful for everything from auditioning to the rehearsal process for stage, film, and television.

Each day will involve the work of one contemporary American playwright.  Actors will spend extensive time analyzing and investigating the play and its characters.  Each day will include scene work and character development.

Alex Neil (Broadway’s Match and Rock & Roll) is a New York City based actor who works regularly in Theater (Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional), Film, and Television.

Appropriate for multiple levels, although fundamental acting technique is required.

Contact us to submit for this class!

COMEDY SKILLS:

A Weekend Intensive with the “all too serious”

Caryn West

Selected on both coasts as

one of "THE BEST AUDITION COACHES"

(Backstage West and East 2009 Polls)

Spend a lively weekend with veteran coach and working actress Caryn West diving into comedy, with emphasis on preparing for sitcom and single camera comic genres.  Explore and analyze comedic material, history, and origins of stock comic characters.  This intensive will help actors with stage comedies, sitcoms, sketch characters, comic writing, and improv. 

Caryn West has been a working actress since 1978.  She has performed on Broadway in Crimes Of The Heart and Dancing At Lughnasa.  Some television credits include Monk, American Dreams, Without A Trace, and she is currently recurring on CBS’ Three Rivers.

INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD

OF VOICEOVERS

An Intensive with Steven Friedman

Join veteran voiceover artist Steven Friedman for a comprehensive introduction to the vast world of voiceovers.  Actors will have the opportunity to analyze copy, identify their style and niche, learn mic technique, perform cold readings, gain information on developing a demo, and gain valuable business and marketing advice.  Actors will have the opportunity to go through rigorous “mock auditions”, covering everything from initial reads to call-backs.

Steven Friedman has recorded thousands of network & cable TV, radio, promotional and industrial spots, as well as long-form narration (for countless A&E Biography series), and animation spots. His many clients include Budweiser, McDonald’s, Head and Shoulders, Apple, Buick, IBM, T-Mobile, Maxwell House and countless others. From 1993 to 1999, he was the corporate national spokesman for Symantec. Some of his theater, film and television credits include Beau Jeste, The Heidi Chronicles, The Next Karate Kid, Random Hearts, Law & Order and MTV’s You Wrote It You Watch It. Steven has also studied with Michael Howard for many years.

ACTING IN THE SHORT FILM:

A Ten Day Immersion for Actors looking to break into the international film market

with Christophe Averlan

For 10 days, actors will experience every essential aspect of acting on film using state of the art equipment.  Beginning with a casting day led by Gabrielle Berberich, actors will record their screen tests and gain valuable feedback on their audition technique.  Actors will then move into on-camera monologue work, culminating with a 4 day film shoot, written for the actors and shot in real conditions.  Leading this workshop is French film director and playwright, Christophe Averlan, whose work has been seen in dozens of European film festivals.

Each actor will receive a copy of the professionally shot, fully edited short film, and Michael Howard Studios will host a film screening for the actors and invited guests.

August 16 - August 27th, 2010

Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM daily

The maximum number of actors will be 14.

$1,600 (10% discount for members of AEA, SAG, AFTRA)

If interested, please email your headshot/resume ASAP for consideration. 

info@michaelhowardstudios.com

212.645.1525

More Details, including videos and samples of Christophe Averlan’s work can be found here.

To learn more about Christophe Averlan, click here

MEDITATION FOR ACTORS 

with Parlan McGaw

Cultivate a greater mental focus, physical freedom, and emotional range through meditation instruction and practice;  awareness exercises involving sense perceptions, physicality, and spatial awareness; contemplation exercises and discussions - all designed to help actors integrate mediation into their artistic toolbox.

“Parlan McGaw’s leadership in meditation practice is extraordinarily useful in strengthening ore elements of the actor’s craft:  concentration, awareness, and relaxation.” -        Michael Howard

Parlan McGaw has been an authorized meditation teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition since 1993 and conducts meditation programs in New York City and upstate.  He co-directed a series of successful retreats for actors with Michael Howard.

MONOLOGUES with Jacqueline Brogan

Develop audition material that shows you off at your best!!  Get a competitive advantage, while deepening your understanding of yourself and your acting process.  Students will spend time learning about their choices and honing their material to perfection.

AUDITION SKILLS

with Caryn West

RETURNS DECEMBER 2010!

 

Selected on both coasts as one of “THE BEST AUDITION COACHES”

(Back Stage West and East 2009 Polls)

This workshop is preparation-oriented and geared to the market of film and television.  It promotes creative risk-taking, goal setting, genre specific script analysis, the power of BREATH to combat the very common phenomena of performance anxiety, and marketing skills in a rapidly changing market.  Much time is devoted to the simulation and practice of auditioning: for film, sitcom and episodic camera formats, soaps, monologues, even simulated interviews / calls with agents

Caryn West has been a working actress since 1978.  She has performed on Broadway in Crimes Of The Heart and Dancing At Lughansa.  Some of her extensive television credits include Monk, Cold Case, Without A Trace, and a recurring role on CBS’ Three Rivers last fall.

INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL REQUIRED PRIOR TO REGISTRATION - SUBMIT HERE

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF CARYN!

A 50% deposit is due upon registration.  For Patsy and Caryn’s workshops, balance must be collected one month prior to class.  For all other workshops, balance must be collected two weeks prior to class.  All deposits are non-refundable, non transferable.

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