Beginners Acting Classes

GOOD by C.P. Taylor

Vera Farmiga in GOOD by C.P. Taylor

“The Barrow Group was really the acting institution that taught me how to act.  I worked with the best teachers…Lee Brock and Seth Barrish, who taught me why less is really more.”
Anne Hathaway, Academy Award Winner

View our schedule of upcoming adult classes and register here.  Please note:

Beginners Acting Class I: The Basics

Prerequisites: None
This class is designed for the beginning / amateur adult actor. This class is a great introduction to the Barrow Group approach and foundation for the craft. The class highlights quick and powerful ways to make your performance more natural and spontaneous. Students will work with ensemble building games, script analysis, and scene study. No experience is necessary.  A great start for the beginning actor!
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner I classes

 

ESL Beginners Acting Class I: The Basics

View: online video about this class
This English as a Second Language (ESL) class combines The Barrow Group approach to acting with diction work. Vocal exercises strengthen skills in the pronunciation, intonation, and stress of American Standard dialect, while the acting work is adapted to also engage vocal work. For example, during script analysis, students explore American stress and intonation patterns so that the logic behind them becomes clear. This class is ideal for students for whom English is not the first language, as well as for others who would like to work on American Standard pronunciation and diction.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner I classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 1” class level)

 

Beginners Acting Class II: Getting Specific

Prerequisites: Beginner I
In this class, students will continue to explore The Barrow Group approach and acting tools by taking a deeper dive into script analysis. Students will work on scenes and monologues.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner II classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 2” class level)

 

ESL Beginners Acting Class II: Getting Specific

Prerequisites:  ESL Beginner I
This English as a Second Language (ESL) Beginning 2 class, builds on the skills learned in ESL Beginning 1, and practice integrating the American dialect into their acting work. The class focuses on scene work and monologues. We will go over the rehearsal process, and on how to prepare a scene for class; we will also work on monologues in an audition setting. For all material worked on, we will consider how best to incorporate an American dialect without losing the spontaneity and immediacy we look to engage when we’re onstage. Each student will meet with privately with the instructor for an assessment of which sounds can be adjusted to make the American dialect clearer;  use the phonetic alphabet to help “translate” those sounds, and will continue to use the phonetic sentence from the ESL Beginner 1 course packet as a touchstone for the American dialect.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner II classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 2” class level)

 

Beginners Acting Class III: On-Going Scene Study

Prerequisites: Beginner II
In this class, students will read and explore a full contemporary play in class to take a deeper dive into script analysis. This is followed by scene study and monologue work using the selected play. Students will also explore the process of self-evaluation and self-adjustment to gain a deeper more precise understanding and use of The Barrow Group tools.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner III classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 3” class level)

 

Beginner Acting Class III:  Film/TV

Prerequisites: Beginner II
In this class, students begin applying The Barrow Group approach to on-camera work. Students will work on scenes and monologues.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner III classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 3” class level)

 

Beginner Acting Class III:  Business of Acting

Prerequisites: Beginner II
This is a holistic approach to identifying where you are in the business, and how to get started in your career. Do you have questions about headshots, resumes, reels, agents, managers, casting, auditions, or choosing materials? Over the course of six weeks, we will review this and more, culminating in a practice industry meeting. Working as a group, we’ll demystify the industry, utilize practical tools, and clarify your next steps in the business of acting.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner III classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 3” class level)

 

Beginners Acting Class IV: Theatre Performance

Prerequisites: Beginner III
In this class, students are guided thru a rehearsal process from page to stage. The focus is on applying The Barrow Group tools to a performance setting, an understanding of a rehearsal process, and  the responsibility to a story and an audience in a show setting. Students will be directed in one, one-act play during the course of the class and are expected to work on their outside of class. The class culminates in performances in the TBG Studio Theatre.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner IV classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 4” class level)

 

Beginner Acting Class IV: On-Going Film/TV

Prerequisites: Beginner III: Film/TV
In this on-going class, students continue to explore The Barrow Group tools on-camera via scenes and monologues. An emphasis is placed on introducing elements of an on-set experience and technical challenges of working in this medium. One-week will be devoted to on-camera audition techniques.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner IV classes (choose “Acting – Beginner” and “Level 4” class level)

 

Weekend Beginners Acting Workshop

Prerequisites: None
This workshop is designed for beginning actors, or actors who have been away from the craft for a while. The workshop focuses on the fundamentals of the craft. After taking the workshop, students can continue to Beginners Acting Class I: The Basics, and in some cases with teaching artist approval, Beginners Acting Class II: Getting Specific.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner Weekend Workshops (choose “Acting – Beginner”)

 

Summer Beginners Acting Intensive

Prerequisites: None
In this 8-week summer intensive, students will learn explore the fundamentals of the craft and introduction to the Barrow Group approach. This class highlights quick and powerful ways to make your performance more natural and spontaneous. No experience necessary. Students will work on ensemble building games, script analysis, monologues, scene study and a business of acting session. This intensives combines Beginner Acting Class I: The Basics and Beginner Acting Class II: Getting Specific. After completing this intensive, students can continue to any of the Beginner III classes.
>> Click here to view upcoming Beginner Summer Intensives (choose “Acting – Beginner”)

 

Read more about The Barrow Group Acting Approach here.

If you have any questions, please contact us.