Scene Study

In the film and television industry, even working actors rarely get to live through an entire scene. Until an actor is at the top of their profession, acting opportunities consist of small vignettes. We all want the opportunity to sink our teeth into a meaty character or a dynamic conflict. After all, that’s why we’re actors.

Scene Study is the acting class where students take all of their technique and harness it for performance. It is a weekly workout where actors test their performance abilities in a safe and playful environment. Through working on scenes of various genres, the actors discover their strengths and weaknesses with the help of a trained director’s eye. Because class size is restricted to 12-14 actors, each actor works in every class.

Problems within a scene often stem from a problem in basic technique. That is why EMAS integrates technique exercises into the scene study format, giving the actor an opportunity to improve their craft while gaining performance experience. We are always looking to bring the actor to an instinctive, impulsive place. We want the emotional life to be organic and the choices to exciting and truthful. Those are the ideas espoused by our principal influence - Sanford Meisner. However, exercises are integrated from a variety of techniques including Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Yoga, Michael Chekov, Feldencrais, Viewpoints, Laban, and Kristin Linklater to address specific issues as they arise.

This is not a beginning acting class. It requires that the student already have a number of tools in their acting belt. We require that a student applying for this class have prior training or performance experience. It is a mixed levels class of intermediate to advanced students. To maintain the integrity of the class – and audition is required.

Scene Study meets once a week and students are expected to be prepared for each and every class with a minimum of 3 hours of outside rehearsal. You will always have an acting partner, so your obligation goes beyond yourself to your classmates. The success of the class depends upon the commitment of each student. Class size is limited to 14 to ensure personalized attention and plenty of stage time.

Call 323-528-6280 to arrange an audition.