Workshops

Join Jason Chaet (AMDA NY Supervisor of First Semester of Acting and Acting for Camera) for a workshop on the beginning approach to acting technique for stage and screen. Using an ‘open scene’ Jason will lay out the fundamentals for interpreting the text, acting technique, and how to bring a scene to life for the stage. Then, using the same text, they will illuminate the basics of film, and how to recalibrate these choices for working on camera.

Bring a song or part of a song -- sing it a cappella or with cell phone accompaniment – and make it land more vividly by exploring the impulses behind the words. Discover what the song is really about in a way that’s uniquely yours.

Enhance and deepen your understanding of West African movement vocabulary. Discover how it's entrenched in dances of Broadway and American vernacular styles such as jazz and tap. You'll engage in movement styles and combinations similar to that of FELA and CHOIR BOY that embody West African movement and cultural norms.

You'll run through the different working facets of audio production, from stage to screens, tracking to headphones. You'll cover fundamental concepts in live audio design, some key examples of techniques, integrations with other crafts, industry direction and progress, and finally a fascinating Case Study.

Audition can be a frightening experience even for many experienced actors. You're asking yourself: “What does the director or casting director want?” Or, “What can I do to impress them?” Well, they might not even know. But you can be the answer. In this workshop, you'll discover the dos-and-don’ts of auditions. Learn how to present your true self. Bring a short audition song (16-32 bars) that's meaningful to you (with a background track). We'll discover the secrets to successful auditions together!

Get a "crash course" in music reading by focusing on key terms and symbols that are important to a stage manager. You'll see a portion of a completed call score for a ballet and work backwards to figure out how to build and call from a score. You'll learn how to break down and put cues into a score, the beginnings of how to "follow," and the next steps for learning to fully read music!

Most shows have a cast of many. Learn how to bring everyone together and create a performance your audience can’t stop talking about. Explore the exciting world of true ensemble building and celebrating the uniqueness of every member.

Expect to have a great time in an inclusive and exciting atmosphere. Class begins with a brief intro and a short warm-up. Then you'll start learning choreography to make sure that the performers feel comfortable.

College auditions are normally challenging and this year has brought a whole new set of rules to the game. Get insider tips about college auditions and be prepared to dazzle. Get up-to-date information about college auditions from a professional College Audition Coach with years of experience coaching students into programs around the world. Discover all you need to know about school selections, applications, discovering your “type,” audition material, self-tapes/pre-screens, live and virtual auditions, and more!

Come prepared to discuss your failures. Be willing to talk about the details of why you think you failed, and how to anticipate what a production team is looking for when doing auditions and casting for a show. Discover tools to use to cope with the feelings of failure in a healthy manner. You'll also explore how you can take those feelings and experiences and turn them into healthy creativity and artistry.

During this workshop, we will use the basics of the Viewpoints technique, as created by Mary Overlie, to develop characters, relationships, and gestures. You will be given the tools to develop your own work through movement. We will use shape and topography to create characters, spatial relationships, and tempo to create relationships and kinesthetic response and duration to develop original work, focused on social change.

Anyone can attend this workshop. Here are the key topics you'll cover: 1) History of sound. 2) How sound effects and soundscapes are created. 3) Where to go to find sound effects. 4) Creating your own sound effects and the equipment needed. 5) Sound software and control. 6) Best practices. 7) Questions and Answers.

Discover a fresh approach on how to costume. Plus, tips for teaching your students how to costume in a post-COVID world. You'll have access to new research on costuming, and get tips for teaching your students how to do it safely. As performances are starting again in a variety of forms, you need this information to help navigate your show. Let's work together to give you a head start.

Explore the ways in which educators and theatre-makers can provide opportunities for all voices in their community to be heard. Discover systems that support these different perspectives and help performers engage safely within the community.

Get an insider's view of how to identify the right college program options for you. Learn how to get past the online "Top 10" lists to discover what you're really looking for and what's the right fit for you. You'll cover a wide range of topics from types of programs and degrees, timelines for preparation and application, finding effective advisers, cost considerations and much more. Ideal for students, parents, and teacher/advisers. Students with all interests in Theatre Education are welcome.

Explore the art of designing, cultivating, and maintaining spaces where students can be creative. You'll hear about the hard work of living practices that foster vulnerability, courage, and creativity in theatre students.

You'll focus on the design elements of stage tech. Learn and discuss the essential questions that you should be able to answer when designing set, sound, and lighting. Discover fundamental vocabulary, enduring questions, evaluating your resources, and finding alternatives through expanded thought. Plus, begin to understand the equipment involved in each element of design.

Come break it down! Tempo and complexity will be tailored to each class, so all are welcome to join the crew. You'll learn how to bravely try new things, confidently ask questions, and even practice a basic hip hop routine. Join the fun!

You'll learn different methods of creative writing (poetry, hip-hop, storytelling, etc.) and how they can be incorporated when writing a story or adapting a play. You'll discuss several topics, including the difference between verse and prose, and the different ways they could be used when writing a play. You'll also cover the process of writing a script that connects to the writer, writing a role perfect for them. Plus, form short plays through verse, creative writing, and performance.

Learn what's required to be an organized props manager. Course covers the paperwork forms and materials to keep your production build and run moving smoothly. You'll discover resources for research and finding historically accurate props, plus ideas for creation and modifications. You'll learn a bit about how professional props shops work and the different types of jobs that are often in each type of shop. Session ends with a props-related Q&A.

Come discover the secrets of being a working film actor: finding audition opportunities, getting an agent or manager, navigating SAG-AFTRA, and how to “make it.” Workshop will be advice and Q&A driven, intending to send you off feeling confident in your future as an actor!

This beginning/intermediate level musical theatre tap class will introduce you to the basics of tap steps, rhythms, syncopation, and vocabulary in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Discover how to shuffle, flap, cramp roll, sugar twist, chug, and more. Leave the session more confident in your ability to tap and your knowledge of tap vocabulary. The goal of this class is to help the novice/intermediate tap student gain confidence and a basic tap foundation. Tap shoes, comfortable clothes, a willing attitude, and a big smile are all that's needed for this exciting class.

Step-by-step instruction of the Hip Hop dance style straight from L.A, open to ALL levels! You'll incorporate character work, build confidence and stage presence, support your peers, and step out of your comfort zone. No judgement; no fear. Just livin' our best lives. Be vulnerable and love what you do. Bring your own style and your own vibe.

Calling all teachers looking to incorporate more film into their theatre curriculum! Learn how to get started, or build on your beginner's knowledge with expert tips. You'll get to explore video and editing techniques in this very digital world.

Dig deep into research and practical advice on how to continually grow programs to include special needs students, diverse ethnicities, and low-income students. All programs need to evaluate their effectiveness in the inclusion of community, diversity, and cultures. You'll begin to intrinsically create an awareness of your own program, reflecting the community you serve, and learn how to move forward creating an even better program.

Join Arbender Robinson, teaching artist and Broadway veteran, for insights on how to master the digital audition. Although you may feel the digital audition is fairly new, it's been used widely in the Regional and Broadway processes for quite some time. Discover expert advice on how to take the experience of live auditions into the digital world. Workshop is suited to performers, directors, educators, and students.

Join a discussion that will cover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to creating theater during the ever-changing landscape of a world emerging from quarantine. In this workshop, we'll talk about how changing guidelines might affect your budget and fundraising as well as discuss the pros and cons of virtual and live theater this year. What part of virtual theater is worth keeping? What changes must you consider as you "go live"?  Led by Tony Award-winning producer Meredith Lucio, this workshop includes information on how NYC professional theaters are managing the pandemic and how those solutions might also be of service in educational theater.

Join Jorge Arroyo, freelance lighting designer and Assistant Professor of Lighting Design at Boston University, for a session filled with games to test your visual intelligence. You'll discuss the curious and peculiar world of human vision and how to apply that knowledge to design for the stage.

Learn how to convey improvisational skills/philosophy to help students become more confident in expressing their unique voices, experiences, and identities. This is an incredibly interactive, fun, laughter-filled workshop. No experience or knowledge of HAMILTON necessary. Students will learn skills needed to improvise a HAMILTON-style show, including improvised singing, rhyming, and storytelling, on any historical figure or celebrity of their choice. Students use their own knowledge to craft compelling improvised characters and shows. They'll also have a chance to experience the rush of complete support from fellow players, and learn how to give that same level of support to others.

Join Cody Renard Richard to develop your leadership skills and get instruction in stage managing different media. From HAMILTON to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE!, you'll learn from the instructor's experiences from various productions, workshops, labs, regional theatre, and developmental projects. Gain useful insights into the situations that stage managers navigate daily.

The how and why of story is at the heart of all writing. Join award-winning author/lyricist Sammy Buck to learn how classic screenplay structure from a variety of movies (especially a certain space saga) translates across stage, screen, and page. We'll discuss how Mrs. Lovett and Darth Vader are alike. How ROSE'S TURN relates to the Death Star. And who’s your fun-tagonist. (Wait, what IS a fun-tagonist?) You’ll learn: 1. The five essential sub-stories in every story 2. The BONES technique for structuring story and creating scenes 3. Character population and development 4. Identifying the “why” of your story

Learn and implement 10 action steps to use on a current audition monologue. You'll work in real time to apply the 10 steps to your monologue with a focus on objectives, obstacles, and tactics. Some of you will be asked to present excerpts of your monologue. Bring a hard copy of your monologue so that you can annotate and score the script.

If you suffer from backaches, sore neck, shoulder tension or experience fatigue from public speaking, The Alexander Technique improves the quality of life in people of all ages and lifestyles. F. Matthias Alexander was an Australian actor who suffered from chronic laryngitis while performing on stage. When his doctors couldn’t help him, he formulated his own method, which works to change movement habits in our everyday activities. In combining Constructive Rest, mind/body directional application, breath, sound, and physicality, this practical process improves and eases the attributes of motion, balance, support, coordination, and voice production in every individual.

Come and learn a fun combination from a Broadway-style show in this interactive session. Grab your confidence, make space in your room, and get ready to dance! Dress comfortably and be prepared to move. Open to all levels: students and teachers.

No one just appears on stage or on a Zoom call, although sometimes it might seem that way. The way a person enters and leaves a space says a lot without them ever uttering a word. It can set the tone of a story, tell the audience who the character is, and what they want. In this workshop you'll explore the often overlooked art of the entrance and the exit through classic clown exercises. Be prepared to have your camera on and to move around.

Come learn a dance to the music and choreography inspired by Broadway’s THE LION KING. Take part in a jazz warm-up and learn about Garth Fagan’s original choreographic concepts inspired by the evocative rhythms of Africa. This high-energy workshop is suitable for all skill levels of dancers.

Let's explore together what it means to be a socially conscious theatre-maker. While pros in our industry are addressing this question, it's imperative for the discussion to include amateurs and educators. We hope you'll bring your experience and questions. We'll talk about what it means to be a socially conscious theatre-maker in your town/theatre/school. What shows and topics are helpful to highlight and why. This workshop is intended to be a safe space where all questions/concerns can be discussed in a respectful, helpful manner.

Learn innovative exercises utilizing technology-infused techniques. Instead of ‘put away your smart phone,’ it’s 'bring your laptop, your tablet, and your phone to class.' Digital tools enhance learning and support a new way of artmaking. Let's explore the fusion of science and the arts with emphasis on investigating the uses of technology in actor-training.

Take this opportunity to explore popular musicals, musical moments, and trends which have gone viral on social media platforms. Discover how people have found community, connection, and new ways to express themselves artistically. Educators have an opportunity to learn the language emerging through social media platforms to better connect with students. Instrumental, Vocal, Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts are all present and robust online. Through interactive conversations, polls, video clips, and chats all participants will be a part of the experience. At the conclusion we create a group TikTok challenge for the entire group, which is posted and shared.

Let's analyze the benefits and disadvantages of using sharkstooth and other scrim materials in theatrical productions. Utilizing plays, musicals, modern dance, and ballet as examples, you'll examine how to light behind and in front of scrim, how to hide and reveal items behind scrim, and how to light painted scrim itself.

Today's stories are told across multiple platforms. You'll learn how to create an overarching story world to give the audience the narrative in a living way, everywhere they engage with it. You'll focus on the intersection of theatre, film, TV, and new media, like podcasts and social media.

Be ready to deal with a costume malfunction backstage during a performance. Learn simple fixes and explore the tools you'll need, and how to use them, to make reliable repairs. With these tips, you’ll always be prepared!

Thousands of people apply for non-scripted shows (aka reality TV), and the key to getting cast is learning to stand out from the crowd. Explore how reality TV is like theatre with an actual reality TV participant! Learn from his years of experience applying and what worked to get him the part.

Listening is a base-level skill often overlooked for acting and performance. You'll get to participate in acting and reacting basics and games. Plus, you'll learn about non-verbal and verbal listening and communication skills. Information and exercises are based on silent games and listening techniques. Teachers and students welcome.

You'll get a crash course on what it takes to write a vignette play of your own—from hatching an idea to generating your "Scene Storm" to figuring out how to put all of the pieces together. The vignette play format is becoming increasingly popular. It uses a series of scenes (and sometimes monologues) to tell the story.

Watch and learn with the amazing Justin Valles, hip hop dance sensation!

Explore lighting actors of color onstage with lighting designer Alexandra Vasquez Dheming.

Make up artist Destinee Steele shares a step by step tutorial for corrective make up for darker skin tones.

Accents are everywhere in the worlds of theater, film, TV, voiceover and improv. Being able to master an accent can sometimes feel overwhelming—but there’s always room for fun in the learning process. Join LA-based dialect coach Adam Michael Rose in this introductory dive into TWO very popular accents: Standard British and NYC. This workshop will introduce you to the world of these two accents, as well as a unique system for breaking down other accents!

All actors need to know how to do their own makeup. In this workshop, Gordon explains tips for the application of “straight” makeup for the stage. Topics include color selection, application, highlight and shadow, finishing techniques, health & safety, and removal. Follow along at home step by step using three colors of makeup.

**This on demand session is not available after June 28