CLICK ‘CLASS SCHEDULE’ ABOVE TO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND TO SIGN-UP FOR ANY CLASS
DON’T see a class below on the CLASS SCHEDULE link above? An upcoming class described below could already be full, ASK IF THERE IS A WAITING LIST, OR perhaps the class has recently started, OR it may not be scheduled right at this moment. New classes are added often.
ALL CLASSES ARE FOR ADULTS (18+)
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BEGINNER:
BASICS OF ACTING
BATES WILDER
This is and introductory course suitable for those with no prior training or exposure to acting techniques, or for anyone who is interested in exploring acting as a powerful and enjoyable means of self-expression. Acting is the ability to behave believably under imaginary circumstances. Through a series of structured off-camera exercises devised to work with and develop an actor's skills in the areas of imagination, listening, concentration, focus, and response - you will begin to learn this ability.
Acting is a craft, and learning the components of an acting technique take time and practice! You are on your feet in every class, participating in each exercise - developing confidence and developing an understanding of the Basics of Acting!
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BEGINNER:
AUDITIONING FOR FILM & TV
HEATHER WHITTY
Never been to an audition? Or just 1 or 2? Maybe it’s been a few years? Auditioning has definitely evolved over the last 5 years. There are more self-taped auditions, but also a lot more are moving back to in person, and almost always in-person for a call-back audition. Learn the tools and techniques needed to improve your audition performance.
This beginner class will cover different auditions in each different genre. While learning the on-camera acting techniques needed to convey confidence, and clearly conveying your character's function in the story. You have some acting skills, now learn how to show them off and get the job!
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INTERMEDIATE:
AUDITIONING FOR FILM & TV
HEATHER WHITTY
What happens after you leave the audition room? As a group, we will watch your auditions and the instructor will give feedback with a collaborative class discussion. From the TV pilot through the sitcom to the drama and the TV movie to the speaking role in a feature film. Learn how to deliver the best performance for every role!
Learn the tools and techniques needed to improve your audition performance. Each class will cover different auditions in each different genre. While learning the on-camera acting techniques needed to convey confidence, and clearly conveying your character's function in the story.
The 3 major mistakes made in auditions:
1. Not understanding genre/tone, how it affects pacing.
2. Not having confidence/comfort on camera.
3. Not understanding your character's function in the scene and how it pertains to the story.
Learn how to avoid these. How to approach each genre differently; Using mock live auditions and callbacks. Learning how to make adjustments in real time.
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INTERMEDIATE:
SCENE STUDY & CHARACTER ANALYSIS
BATES WILDER
Using contemporary film and TV material students will develop the acting skills needed to better understand the elements of script and character breakdown. This off-camera workshop is designed so that students work every week on learning practical tools for working with a scene partner, and working alone on a monologue.
Break down acting moments and their creation. Time-tested acting exercises in how to be active in your character work, and with your moments that are happening in the absence of words. As a teacher, Bates looks for students strengths and challenges in order to design individual exercises that help create complete characters and acting moments.
The class is designed for: Actors who have studied the basics and are ready to work with scripted material, and aspiring actors interested in learning how to interpret scripts and develop a scripted character
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INTERMEDIATE:
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
DENNIS STAROSELSKY
The camera picks up everything...It’s true—so when an actor is thinking about how good or bad of a job they are doing, that’s exactly what the camera picks up. See, our “Actor Thoughts” are mostly insecurities, that’s why it’s crucial for the actor to focus on “Character Thoughts.”
This course places its emphasis on the actor being able to relinquish their insecurities, and focus on their character’s thoughts, through a style of acting known as The Thought Method. Developed by Lesley Kahn, this method requires the actor to identify their character’s arc of thought, each thought informs the actor as would a blueprint inform a contractor. However, the actor, unlike the contractor, has the luxury to choose their character’s thoughts. This process is what creates the organic thought necessary to achieve a multilayered character. The challenge is how does an actor fuse organic thought while staying within the parameters of all the different genres the camera produces?
The successful marriage of organic thought and technical proficiency produces a well-executed performance that is original, evocative, and memorable. That’s why we’ll be exploring almost every genre of Film & TV in this course!
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ADVANCED:
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
DENNIS STAROSELSKY
There is more to acting than what you see on screen. Actors must develop the skills that are foundational to their craft and to marketing themselves within the entertainment industry. The purpose of this course is to create the Actor-Entrepreneur--a reflective, resourceful, and resilient professional who can express a well-defined type that is received by industry professionals as humanized and effective.
The work in this course builds upon learning gained in the intermediate level Acting for the Camera, specifically the fundamentals of The Thought Method, while expanding from a lab setting into one of practical application. The material chosen is specifically designed for each student to strengthen their technical knowledge as well as their personal essence. When a student has an audition to prepare, we as a class will work on getting the best possible outcome for this real-world opportunity. Consider this going to the gym for your career!
INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL REQUIRED.
Send your resume for approval to: info@cpcasting.com
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Bates Wilder
has been a professional actor for over 30 years now. He's worked in Boston, New York, and Hollywood as an award winning stage actor (2007 IRNE award for Best Actor in Boston, and 2008 IRNE award for Best Supporting Actor in Boston). He also appeared in the critically acclaimed, Waiting for Godot with Austin Pendelton. Actor in film, television and stage. Bates has been a professional actor for over 35 years now. He's worked in Boston, New York, the Midwest, and Hollywood as a film, television actor, and also an award winning artist of the stage. (IRNE awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in Boston). On stage he's appeared in the critically acclaimed, Waiting for Godot at the New Rep Theatre. He has also starred in A Streetcar named Desire, Shear Madness, Frozen, and Blackbird among many others. In film Bates has appeared in many films. Joy, Detroit, Dust of War, Stronger, Over There, and the award winning Tater Tot and Patton.
Rounding off Bates accomplishments in the acting business, he has appeared in countless local and national commercials playing a wide range of characters from the goofy and obscure, to the poignant and dramatic, and many others in-between.
As a teacher, Bates has been with CP for over 25 years, advised the Scituate Public School Drama departments for some 10 years, an instructor at Emerson College since 1998 and an adjunct at BU 2008-2010. Bates loves the creative art of acting and does not pull his punches as an instructor. He coaches privately one on one. And most important, please understand that he will let you know how he feels and will nurture your abilities and work to get the best out of his students!
facebook.com/groups/1566811923626149
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Dennis Staroselsky
is an accomplished actor who has appeared in the feature films Rubberneck, We Don’t Belong Here, Detroit (Directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow), American Woman, Love, Weddings and Other Disasters, About Fate, and more. His TV credits include recurring roles on The Loudest Voice in the Room, The Deuce, Julia, Madame Secretary, and guest stars on Nurse Jackie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Castle Rock, and Law & Order among others.
Theater credits include the world premiere of An Early History of Fire, at The New Group NYC, as well as appearances at regional theatres such as the A.R.T. The Huntington Theatre Co., Geva Theatre Center, Dallas Theater Center, The Paper Mill Playhouse. As a playwright his first full length play Just About Cured was produced by the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City in the fall of 2014.
Mr. Staroselsky holds a BFA in acting from Boston University and an MA in theater education from NYU. He currently teaches acting at both Northeastern and Lesley University.
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Heather Whitty
is a casting director with over 15 years of casting experience in Boston, NYC and LA. Her focus is on casting primarily for TV and Film.
She's a graduate of The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, where she studied under John Tyrell, a student of Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. A former stand up comic (Boston Comedy Festival, Women in Comedy Festival (NYC). She has taught casting director workshops at: Boston University, Northeastern University, local Film Festivals, and at SAG AFTRA New England.
She is also the owner of Whitty Studios in Rockland, MA where she privately coaches and offers self tape services. Actors who have worked with Heather have gone on to book major roles in TV/Film along with garnishing representation with top Agents and Mangers in the Boston/NYC/LA.
Heather is beyond thrilled to be a part of the CP Casting team!
