The Beginner - Intermediate Class

The Beginner/Intermediate class will work with students based on their personal level of experience in repetition. There is no pre-requisite required to attend this class. Both Beginners and Intermediate Students will be together in this class. Class size is limited to 10 people.

The beginner student will learn the fundamentals of repetition, learning to listen and respond and become completely “In the Moment”. 

Once an actor has mastered the basic repetition exercise, “The independent Activity” is introduced. This is a physically difficult task that the actor must accomplish within a specific time limit. This exercise is the beginning of “learning how to live truthfully in imaginary circumstances.” It begins to teach the actor how to use their imagination to find emotion, a foundational practice of the Meisner technique.

Once this exercise is mastered, the addition of scene partner is added. Repetition continues as the exercises get more and more complex and move into the intermediate stage where, entering a room (known as the door), relationships, and complex circumstances are added. It is possible that we may approach Emotional Preparation in the latter part of the Intermediate stage.

At their core, these exercises teach the student to be “in the moment” and “outside of their head”. In addition, the student is learning to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances”, respond with true emotion to what they are receiving from their partner and practicing basic improvisation within each exercise.

Sandford Meisner originally designed this as a first year of study.  Fran believes it is truly up to the actor’s willingness and ability as to how quickly they move through the technique. It should be noted that the longer an actor stays within a given exercise the more they will learn, but here at TAAS we will work individually with each actor on their goal.

To begin work in the advanced class a current student would be invited by their class teacher. A new student would need to speak with Fran prior to entering the studio directly into the advanced class. They may be asked to take a month of Beginner/Intermediate prior to moving ahead. There is currently no class for advanced Meisner students but advanced actors are welcome to attend as well as those versed in the Meisner Technique.

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us directly by clicking this link.

 Header photo credit: Aly Mang