Classes

The Laura Henry Acting Studio offers a strong, integrated curriculum for the complete training of the professional actor.

• Small class sizes
• Everyone works in every class
• Ensemble co-teaching
• Graduation theater performance
• Industry showcase for graduates

Audition Technique

This class will change the way you audition forever. It produces amazing results that last for the rest of your career. Ms. Henry put together this advanced course as a proven approach to conquering the obstacles which arise during auditions. The class starts by reworking the way students view auditions and evolves to treat auditions as a separate technique utilizing particular acting tools. Past students report profound improvement and positive results in their auditions. This class is invaluable for television and film actors. (Meets once a week for eight weeks)

Meisner Intensive

The Meisner Intensive class provides actors with a strong foundation for believable, realistic acting. Students learn how to concentrate, to listen, to create and work truthfully through their imagination to fully express natural emotions. This class covers the first three months of the two-year Conservatory Course's Meisner material. It meets three times a week and requires an interview before enrollment. (Meets three times a week for seven weeks).

Advanced Scene Study

Advanced scene study covers script work in depth and uses physical center work as a means to discovering characters. This study is also a rework and overview of the second year program, in particular Ms. Henry's work with actions. Students must audition with Ms. Henry for this class. (Month to month class)

Pilot Season Preparedness for Young Actors

Intended to educate and aid actors as they embark on pilot season auditions, this course will be taught in two sections: 7 – 11 years old and 12 years & above. Students will work in every class and cover the following topics:
* Prepared readings * Cold readings * Reading with a casting director
* Reading on tape * Reading with another actor * Behavior in the audition room * Dressing for the audition
Actors will have fun while getting clear, expert advice and insight on the “testing” experience.

Classes begin Saturday, January 15, 2005
Times: Actors 7-11 years old: 10 a.m. – noon
Actors 12 & above: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
**50% discount on Parents’ Seminar when child is enrolled in class

Supporting Your Child – A Seminar for Parents of Young Actors

Over the years, many parents have expressed their confusion over the audition process in general and the testing process in specific. Because they cannot accompany their child into the rooms where these events take place, they are often uncertain as to how they can help and support their young actors. This one evening seminar for parents will give you an insider’s view on the audition and testing process. Topics will include:
* What the audition process is all about * Headshots and resumes
* Timelines * Contracts * School Requirements * What to do before and after the audition * What not to do! * How to help your child have a positive experience and get the job

This is an excellent opportunity to get all your questions answered by a casting director with over 10 years of experience casting children in both television and film.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 – 7 p.m.
**50% discount on Parents’ Seminar when child is enrolled in "Pilot Season Preparedness for Young Actors"

Two Year Conservatory Course

The Two Year Conservatory Course is a comprehensive and complete study program, designed to provide beginning actors with an intensive course of skill, discipline and self-discovery. Classes each year begin in September and end in June.

First Year

• 2 Acting Classes per week
• 1 Alexander Class per week
• 1 Linklater Voice Class per week

First Year Meisner Acting Class

First year Meisner is the basic foundation of truthful, realistic acting. Students learn how to concentrate, to listen, to create and work truthfully through their imagination and to emotionalize fully. Through exercises and some text work, students learn to flesh out the core structure of a scene behaviorally through impulse and response.

First Year Alexander Technique

First year Alexander teaches the basic principles, helping each student to become aware of how they are using their physical bodies in daily activities including sitting, standing, walking, speaking and other activities arising at work or play. Students learn how to let go of habits that are causing unnecessary tension and block the creative process, understanding the link between their thought and action.

First Year Linklater Voice Work

During first year Linklater, students will explore the body's subtle inhibitions to vocal freedom. Following the progression of exercises outlined by Kristin Linklater, students explore individuality and authorship of the actor's voice including emotional freedom, awareness of breath, clarity of vibrations, extent of resonance and breadth of range. During the second semester, students will begin working with text, including Shakespeare sonnets and contemporary monologues.

Movement Workshop

The physical movement workshop focuses on freeing the actor's body to be spontaneous, receptive and responsive to events occurring around them.

Breath Workshop

The breath workshop combines art, movement and music with an ancient breathing technique that releases physical and emotional stress at a deep level. Breath class is designed to expand the actor's physical and emotional range.

Second Year

Performances for the faculty and students occur three times during the second year, one of which is a student directed advanced presentation at the studio. Several second year students will also have the opportunity to direct one of these presentations.

• 2 Acting Classes per week
• 1 Advanced Alexander Class
• 1 Advanced Linklater Voice Class
• 3 Performances (one student-directed)
• Audition Technique Class
• Graduation Theater Performance
• Film & TV Industry Showcase at the Court Theatre, Los Angeles

Second Year Meisner Acting Class

Second year Meisner focuses on script analysis, character work and performance. During second year, students take the foundation learned in the first year and shape it into a finished result.

Second Year Alexander Technique

Second year Alexander continues training on the basic principles while applying them to voice and performance. More specific work is taught to develop the physical life of a character. A physical basis is taught for understanding the concepts of availability, spontaneity and play as applied to performance. Additional work is offered in applying the Alexander technique to rehearsals.

Second Year Linklater Voice Work

During second year, students review their awareness of the embodied voice and begin owning individual inhibitions that prevent release of their natural, expressive voice. More emphasis is placed on the relationship between individual voice and responsiveness to text. Work continues with Shakespeare, exploring intra-textual dynamics of monologues (energy between words, flow of feeling and vocal response to intent, use of language and imagery, sound and movement within the words and between words), and the inter-textual dynamics of scene work as each relate to voice. The second semester includes work with phonetics and accents.

Actor Marketing Workshop

The marketing workshop focuses on acting as a business. While the rest of the curriculum teaches actors what to do after they get a job, much of an actor's career is spent looking for work. This workshop provides actors with tools to market themselves effectively, and find fun in this part of the business, using common sense, varied resources and their own creativity. Topics include evaluation your product and your progress, developing business relationships, pictures and resumes.