This class is an “actor’s gymnasium,” where you will be asked to follow direction, learn what directors look for on set, and get invaluable feedback on your work. Donna Morong, noted Casting Director and Acting Teacher, will provide feedback alongside a guest director as you are filmed performing scenes from film and TV. Students will learn how to work on-set under pressure in a simulated professional environment.
Previous directors include: Randall Zisk (Scandal, The Mentalist, Monk), Gary Fleder (Homefront), Damon Santostefano (Three To Tango), Will Geiger (Elvis and Anabelle), and Anna Mastro (Guidance,Walter).
“I encourage my students to take risks, explore different choices and delve more deeply into the characters they are portraying. I provide an environment that is close to a professional work situation without the pressure of having to prove anything. I hope to develop their own internal sense of emotional truth as it applies to film, theater and television roles. They get to work with highly regarded professional directors and learn to respond to direction in the moment.”
-Donna Morong
(20% discount is applied after taking two prior core classes at the studio in the past calendar year)
(limited to 16 students.)
Our courses/intensives are a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the course/intensive is over, the instructor teaching this course/intensive will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume, or any of your other promotional materials.
As we are an educational institution, the use of the studio and faculty’s names and likenesses for any professional or personal purposes without our permission is strictly prohibited.
**Students are accepted by online application, followed by submission of materials (headshot, resume, and online reel or self-tape). An additional follow-up interview is generally required for tentatively approved submissions.
Professional Scene Study
Instructor - Donna Morong
Tuesdays 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Next Session-TBA
GUEST DIRECTORS FROM LAST SESSION:
First: DAMON SANTOSEFANO-has directed the feature films "Pure Country, Pure Heart," and the "Cinderella" franchise for Warner Brothers. His critically-acclaimed independent cult feature, "Last Man Running", won the Audience Award at the L.A. Film Festival and was selected for competition in the Sundance Film Festival. He also directed the Universal feature, "Bring It On: Again". For Warner Brothers, he directed "Three to Tango", starring Matthew Perry, Neve Campbell and Dylan McDermott. Some of his TV projects include the comedies "The Consultants" and "Revenge" (Fox), "American Posse" (FX Network) and "Gearheads" (Comedy Central).
Second: Maria Walker is an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been accepted into over 280 film festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Frameline, and Outfest, garnering a total of 82 awards & 57 nominations. Mari’s work consistently explores identity through multiple forms and genres, championing the shared humanity of others through narratives that promote empathy and understanding.
Third: Brad Barnes-Brad’s feature film debut as a director, The Locksmith (a.k.a. “Homewrecker”), won the Best of NEXT Award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to The Locksmith, Brad has written, produced and directed two Sundance shorts: We Todd Did and Choked, as well as a short for the Showtime Network starring Christopher Walken. Brad released his second dramatic feature, Sex Guaranteed with The Orchard. Brad has also recently directed This is Our Youth and Orphans for the Aquila Morong studio.
New students must APPLY. Only returning students may enroll.
NEW: Role of a Lifetime
Instructor - Brad Barnes
Tuesday's 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Dates TBA
Tuition: $300
In this class students will select a piece of material that they have always wanted to play from a published (produced) screenplay.
Actors will invite a partner(free of charge) to do their scenes with them.
In rehearsal sessions we will improvise moments leading up to this master scene in class i.e earlier or later scenes in the screenplay that inform the master scene we are looking at. Scenes will be presented in the final class. The fourth class will be a presentation of all the scenes”
New students must APPLY. Only returning students may enroll.
The Art of the Audition
Instructors -
Donna Morong & Director Brett Simon
Thursday's; 12:00pm – 3:00pm
NEXT SESSION TBA
Tuition: $480
New students must APPLY. Only returning students may enroll.
The Art of the Audition class brings together the unique perspectives of Donna Morong, who has a distinguished career as a Casting Director and Acting Teacher, award-winning feature director Brett Simon, and a roster of guest directors that include Brad Barnes, Matt Collins, and Joy Gohring.
In The Art of the Audition, you will:
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Work on camera every week
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Learn a methodical approach to the audition that employs your acting craft
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Watch playback from your auditions every week, get notes & feedback, & remove the obstacles to your audition experience
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Get new material every week from a huge variety of current Film & TV Scripts
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Learn how to be present, alive and authentic in a pressured situation
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Learn how to bring your art into the audition space
Please note that this class is for the serious professional actor with prior training and experience. This is not a casting workshop.
(20% discount is applied after taking two prior core classes at the studio in the past calendar year)
(limited to 18 students)
Our courses/intensives are a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the course/intensive is over, the instructor teaching this course/intensive will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume, or any of your other promotional materials.
As we are an educational institution, the use of the studio and faculty’s names and likenesses for any professional or personal purposes without our permission is strictly prohibited.
**An interview is required for this class. No auditions. Please submit an application to schedule an interview.
On Camera
Instructors - Donna Morong & Brad Barnes
Tuesday's 6:30pm – 9:30pm - 5 Weeks
Next Session- TBA
Tuition: $500
This class is designed for serious actors who want to deepen their on-camera work, using Meisner based theories, as well as script analysis and character behavior work. Each actor will be assigned a scene that she/he will take from table read to blocking to in depth rehearsal, performance and playback.
The instructors are both industry veterans who use their combined years of experience to guide the actor to finding ways to work on camera that will serve them in a professional environment.They will work with both Brad Barnes, an award winning director/writer who trains directors in NY, London and LA in Adrienne Weiss’ Foundations as well as Donna Morong, Casting Director former Casting Exec at Disney ,and Acting Teacher.
(20% discount is applied after taking two prior core classes at the studio in the past calendar year)
(limited to 16 students.)
Our courses/intensives are a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the course/intensive is over, the instructor teaching this course/intensive will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume, or any of your other promotional materials.
As we are an educational institution, the use of the studio and faculty’s names and likenesses for any professional or personal purposes without our permission is strictly prohibited.
**An interview is required for this class. No auditions. Please submit an application to schedule an interview.
New students must APPLY. Only returning students my enroll.
This class is designed for the serious young professional. Class is divided into physical and vocal warm-up, improvisations including Meisner exercises and scenes from classic and contemporary film, theater and TV as well as online auditions.
(20% discount is applied after taking two prior core classes at the studio in the past calendar year)
(limited to 16 students.)
Our courses/intensives are a learning experience. It is not an audition or employment opportunity. When the course/intensive is over, the instructor teaching this course/intensive will not be taking home, nor be given access to your headshot, resume, or any of your other promotional materials.
As we are an educational institution, the use of the studio and faculty’s names and likenesses for any professional or personal purposes without our permission is strictly prohibited.
**An interview is required for this class. No auditions. Please submit an application to schedule an interview.
Acting for Teens
Instructor - Donna Morong
Saturdays 10:00am – 1:00pm
DATES- TBA
New Addition:
Erika Ackerman is a respected voice and movement teacher, who is certified in Fitzmaurice and Vocal Yoga, and has worked as well as an actor on both coasts”. She will be teaching the class along with Donna.
New students must APPLY. Only returning students may enroll.
This intensive 2 week course, culminating in a performance for family, friends and industry is for teens aged 12-18 who are working professionally or who are serious about developing their craft. The class offers a rigorous pre-college curriculum of movement, voice, improv, audition and scene study.
Industry professionals including award winning casting director Donna Morong(10 Things I Hate About You, Gone Baby Gone), Brad Barnes, award winning filmmaker (The Lock),Paul Vaillancourt, improv expert, writer and founder of IO West and Erika Ackerman, movement and voice specialist (owner of the movement salon), will be teaching all classes.
Guest speakers from the industry have included, Mara Santino (Luber Roklin), Emily Urbani (VP at Osbrink & Associates), Barbara McCarthy(C.D.The Spectacular Now, Duff), Marci Liroff (C.D.Mean Girls),Mitchell Gossett (Manager) and Jen Rudin (CD and author of “Confessions of a Casting Director).
Currently accepting applications for enrollment.
As we are an educational institution, the use of the studio and faculty’s names and likenesses for any professional or personal purposes without our permission is strictly prohibited.
**An interview is required for this class. No auditions. Please submit an application to schedule an interview.
Teen Summer Pre-College Conservatory
Sharpen your Craft over the Summer with
Industry Veterans
Instructors -
Donna Morong, Brad Barnes,
Erika Ackerman, Paul Vaillancourt
Date and Time: TBA
RATE: $1,000
20% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE IF REGISTERED BEFORE JUNE 2ND
That's $200 off!
PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE.