Classes
The art and craft of acting is a subject for a lifetime of study and practice. At The Studio Seattle, we have carefully built a sequence of classes to establish a firm foundation upon which that practice can continue to develop.​​
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Based on the traditional and widely respected work of Konstantin Stanislavski and Uta Hagen, our course progression provides you with the necessary process and tools by which your artistry can continue to evolve over a lifetime.
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ACTING FOUNDATIONS: the actor's body, voice and creative imagination.
Tuning and preparing the actor's instrument for performance. Integration of movement, sound, speech, creative impulse; dynamic use of space and time in an ensemble, dramatic invention. Instructor: Iveliz Martel.
STUDIO 1: process and text.
Living truthfully in the moment, working authentically in dramatic scenes alone and with a partner. Embodying text and action with confidence. Instructor: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire.
STUDIO 2: scenework and improvisation.
​Creating dimensional worlds though scenes and scenarios, engaging in actions, conflict and relationships. Instructor: Hailey Henderson or Alana Cheshire.
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STUDIO 3: Building a character.
Analyzing dramatic text and fully inhabiting a dimensional character. Imaginative and creative choices. Stagecraft and technique. Instructors: Andrew Tsao and Hailey Henderson.
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AUDITION CLUB: students who complete Acting Foundations and Studio classes 1,2 and 3 become members of our audition club. Four times a year, actors are invited to bring monologues and audition pieces in for complimentary coaching sessions. Coached by various faculty.
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ACTING LAB: an ongoing workshop.
Experienced and professional actors are invited to join our acting lab, where actors can bring scenes they wish to work on, audition material, original dramatic writing or other performance work. Modeled after The Actors Studio in New York this lab is peer and faculty facilitated.
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MASTER CLASSES.
We offer regularly scheduled one day special topic workshops to our students free of charge. Taught by Andrew Tsao or other faculty and guests these events are meant to bring our actors and established artists together to explore, share and build community.
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The Studio Library: Enrolled students have free access to the studio library, a collection unique original handbooks, plays and other documents that support our coursework.
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Acting Foundations
The actor's ability to control, call upon and be aware of their total instrument is fundamental to all of the craft.
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Our foundations class provides new actors the process and tools to attune you body, voice and creative imagination for performance.
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Dramatic invention and scenarios, inhabiting imaginary circumstances and creative play all lay the necassary groundwork for successful development.
Studio 1,2,3
Our teaching philosophy is inspired by the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski, whose "system" has been successfully adopted by thousands upon thousands of actors over the past one hundred plus years.
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We also use Uta Hagen's work to help the actor distill their technique down to manageable tasks that lead towards "living" the role rather than "performing" it.​
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The studio series builds one upon the other towards effective performances and professional acting standards​
Audition Club,Master Classes, Acting Lab
Audition Club is open to students who complete our course curriculum in one calendar year. Four times a year, actors can bring audition material for coaching free of charge.
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Master classes
Andrew Tsao, select faculty and special guest artists teach regularly scheduled master classes that are free to all registered students.
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These master classes consist of one-day and two day sessions at least four times a year and focus on special topics.​
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Acting Lab provides professional and experienced actors a workshop for continued practice and development with peers and our faculty.
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Essential reading
This Jean Benedetti complete translation is accurate, thorough and presents Stanislavki's technique in clear, concise language.​​ The only authoritative text available.
In addition to this, we recommend Hagen's follow-up: A Challenge for the Actor. The tools presented in these texts are a core part of our curriculum.