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Available in the Fall Program, and Spring Program

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Available in the July Academy, August Academy, Saturday Academy, Fall Program, and Spring Program

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To successfully audition for TV commercials students must achieve 2 objectives: please the sponsor by effectively relaying his sales message, and creatively compete against other competent actors of similar “type.” To this end ACTeen trains actors in public speaking techniques (vocal variety, key words, transitions etc.) but encourages a natural, and spontaneous delivery utilizing the actors own unique personality. Students learn to maximize their on-camera time through effective use of focus, point of view, and humor. While following authentic audition scenarios students learn how to handle script reading, cue cards, props, partner work, group improvs, and one-liners. This course also clarifies the business of acting: actor tools (headshots, resumes), representation (agents vs. managers, unions), and marketing and self-promotion basics. The included class textbook “Acting and Auditioning for Television Commercials” (© Rita Litton, revised 2006) elaborates audition techniques and serves as a reference, offering valuable information on getting started professionally. Course curriculum includes conduct at interviews and a guest agent or casting director holds a “mock” casting session.

* Also available: Advanced Commercials

Available in the June Academy, July Academy, August Academy, Saturday Academy, Fall Program, and Spring Program

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This course puts the fun in fundamentals! Learning improvisation or how to “create on the spot” gives young actors an active understanding of the ‘who, what, when and where’ of acting. While most acting training is based on conflict and opposing objectives, improvisation develops supportive, collaborative actors. In improvisation impulses are accepted and expanded upon, not rejected or stifled. Using the wonderful theater games of Viola Spolin and Keith Johnstone, actors learn to listen, work creatively, and build responsive, fearless physical and imaginative instruments.
Taught by members of outstanding, award-winning performance improv companies.

Available in the Fall Program and July Academy

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This course deals with the selection and presentation of spoken audition solo material. Whether you need to prepare two contrasting pieces for college theater programs or want to polish material for casting professionals, this course will get you ready! Work with an established monologue coach who will specially select monologue material (classical or contemporary) to showcase your range and abilities.

Private monologue coaching also available. Contact Rita Litton, ACTeen Director, for information

Available in the June Academy, July Academy, August Academy, Saturday Academy, Fall Program, and Spring Program

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Learn an exciting, organic approach to speaking and good diction including phonetics work and vocal work on diaphragmatic breathing, support, resonance, relaxation and the release of vocal tension. Instructors are accomplished voice and speech teachers from select acting conservatory and university speech departments.

Available in the Fall Program, and Spring Program

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Even as students strive to develop “standardized” speech for stage or film roles, many desire to “adopt” accents from other parts of the United States (regional sounds) or outside this country (foreign dialects). Students will learn the phonetic and consonant substitutions that various dialects incorporate, while training their ears to accommodate these new sounds. Monologues, dialogues, and a final performance will use these new accents with confidence and style.

Taught by a top speech and voice instructor.

Available in the Fall Program and July Academy

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Students will explore the wonderful challenges of Shakespeare’s characters, text, and vocal demands. Taught by wonderful classical actresses Sybil Lines or Cecilia Riddett who will help students perform Shakespeare’s monologues and scenes.

Available in the July Academy

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Students learn plot development, character, dialogue, conflict, etc. through improvisation and performance of finished work. Taught by Edward Alan Baker, member, Writer’s Guild of America; playwright member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, with eight plays produced in their annual One-Act Marathon; produced Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway; published by the Dramatists Play service; writer for the screen, including projects for HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central; chosen to attend Sundance Institute’s writer’s conference; short film “Dolores” (starring Judith Ivey and Laura Innes, shot by Gordon Willis) won numerous awards at film festivals around the United States. Instructor of Playwriting, Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

Available in the July Academy

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Offers a wonderful antidote to “acting from the neck up.” Including yoga, mime, centers, rotations, transformations, posture, and Alexander Technique. Taught by wonderful commercial/theater actor Gary R. Ramsey, an Alexander Technique Institute–trained specialist.

Available in the July Academy

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Students will work as directors and actors on short scenes, exploring point of view, dialogue, tempo, blocking, and how to work collaboratively with actors. Learn to develop dynamic, expressive work. Instructors include Jerry Beal, actor, award-winning theater director, teacher William Patterson University, UCLA, and Brooklyn College, and established directors from the professional theater.

Available in the July Academy, August Academy and Fall Academy

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A top NYC vocal coach selects solo material for students, then directs them in successful audition skills. A must for every actor/dancer who wants to branch out into musical theater, or for singers who need better, more original vocal audition material! Taught by Michael Roberts, composer of Off-Broadway’s “Golf”, and musical director, currently of “The Broadway Kids,” or Albin Konopka, musical director national tours “A Chorus Line,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Miss Saigon,” among others.

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A step-by-step approach to singing appropriate for beginners or intermediate singers. Exercises in relaxation, breath control, and vocal technique tailored to each student’s level of development are explored. Various singing terms such as chest, head, falsetto, legit, belting, etc. are explained, taking the “mystery” out of singing. Attention will be paid to “audition anxiety”, and a unique, “age appropriate” solo audition song will be assigned, encouraging a fun, positive singing experience. All students will learn an effective vocal warmup before auditions. While students join in group numbers or exercises, the thrust of the class is for the individual.

Casting Director Deborah Aquila (“Mission Impossible II,” “What Women Want,” “Flightplan”) works with ACTeen graduate Cara Buono (“Third Watch”)

Available in the July Academy and August Academy

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Guest industry professionals & an ACTeen senior staff instructor teach this terrific class in audition techniques for film, theater, soap operas, monologues and commercials. Imagine your agent calls and you have two days to prepare the material! Strenuous and specific. This is not a large assembly seminar but an intimate opportunity to learn by doing! Excellent for students approaching professional work, or those who want to develop audition skills.

Available in the June Academy and August Academy

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Actors need to learn to incorporate highly specific and expressive movements into their acting, because subtext is often communicated with the body, not language. Using specific improvisational exercises, movement techniques, and a heightened or non-realistic acting style, this course will expand the limitations of your physicality, gesture, and expression. Taught by Ian Marshall, expert movement and stage combat choreographer.

Available in the July Academy

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Using their voices, bodies, imagination, and intellect, students will tackle monologues, scenes, and exercises to explore the exciting and demanding world of live theater performance. Taught by an established New York and regional theater actor, director and teacher.

Available in the July Academy

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How Does A Play Work? A course designed to introduce students to some of the great plays of Modern Drama (“Glass Menagerie”, “Death of a Salesman”, etc.) as well as plays from recent history (“Proof”, “Suburbia”). We review dramatic structure, character analysis and major themes in the plays, while utilizing video and in class performances. Taught by Gino DiIorio, Assistant Professor Clark University.

Available in the Fall Academy

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Learn the craft of voice-overs -- acting with your voice. Agents and producers are always looking for teens that can read well and deliver professional voice-over work. In this course, you will learn how to break down, understand and master radio and television commercial copy, as well as animation scripts. In addition, you will learn proper audition and booth etiquette – essential in booking work and becoming a producer’s “favorite.” Taught by a top New York voice-over actor.