MEISNER INTENSIVE (All Levels)
with guest artists
Jessica Greco & Patrice Goodman
Students will work a minimum of twice each class. This kind of intensive training schedule builds emotional and physical stamina. It’s the most effective way to learn the technique, and is modeled after the schedule at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. In this class however, we will integrate beginners with intermediate students. Which means some advanced work will be done as well as the fundamentals of the technique. Striving to create an environment that challenges every student at their own level. This session has been scheduled on the weekend and weekday evenings because it is important for students to attend ALL THE DATES, if possible.
We will begin by laying the ground work of the Meisner Technique. Getting students comfortable in a chair, then on their feet repeating, observing, making authentic connections. Introducing a sense of play. Then, we will continue to refine the technique, focusing on an individual’s particular sticking points. By integrating all levels of experience it allows the more advanced students to drill down into the fundamentals and work simply. Simultaneously it demonstrates for the more novice students where the work can go in time and how it can be applied. Our goal is to instill in each actor the confidence and conviction to demand consistent connection. A high tide raises all ships.
THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE
​
Connected. Impulsive. Reacting. Listening. Truthful. In the moment. Actors use these words to praise a good performance, but the question is: how do we get there?
From 1935 to 1990, Sanford Meisner was an esteemed acting teacher who founded the renowned NYC acting school The Neighbourhood Playhouse. There he created The Meisner Technique, and an incredibly simple, yet riveting acting exercise called The Repetition. Specifically designed to enhance the key skills of listening and answering another human being fully. In this class, you will repeat with your classmates, embodying the art of “Living truthfully under the imaginary circumstances.”
This class happens in the moment, it cultivates the magic of acting by focusing on behaviour and how that translates out into the world or to another person. The approach puts you in your body, out of your head, and focused on the other actor. Every time you get up to work, (which is twice a class, every class) it will feel vulnerable and scary and exciting and unpredictable. This technique is accessible to all experience levels. Like going to the gym, this technique will keep your instrument alive and spontaneous and strong. Though the class is a Beginner Meisner class, more seasoned artists will find lots to work with here. Ultimately the class is about listening and answering, moment to moment in an authentic way. Grounded and hooked on human connection.
​
This technique has garnered much success — 37 of Meisner’s students won or were nominated for Academy Awards. Meisner-trained actors include Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock, Chadwick Boseman, Diane Keaton, Allison Janney, James Gandolfini, Timothée Chalamet, Sam Rockwell, Jeff Bridges, Jim Carrey,Tatiana Maslany, Krysten Ritter, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and so many more.
Meisner Intensive (All Levels)
April 22 to May 5 (see dates/times below)
Price: $525+HST (11 classes total)
(5% discount for ACTRA, SAG, and CAEA members)
Tue, April 22nd from 7-10:30pm
Wed, April 23rd from 7-10:30pm
Thu, April 24th from 7-10:30pm
​
Sat, Apr 26th from 10am-1:30pm
Sun, Apr 27th from 2:30-6pm
Tue, April 29th from 7-10:30pm
Wed, April 30th from 7-10:30pm
Thu, May 1st from 7-10:30pm
​
Sat, May 3rd from 7-10:30pm
Sun, May 4th from 2:30-6pm
Mon. May 5th from 7:30pm-11pm