Professional Scene Study I: The Tools class is designed for professional actors to deepen their craft. This class introduces The Barrow Group's practical, effective approach to acting through the tools and techniques outlines in Seth Barrish’s book “An Actor’s Companion.
The class begins with exercises that introduce The Barrow Group approach, followed by an exploration of script analysis. Students then explore the tools via scene study developing greater specificity, spontaneity, and truthfulness in their work.
The class offers a strong foundation in The Barrow Group methodology and provides actors with practical techniques they can immediately apply to auditions, rehearsals, and performances.
Actors select their own scene partners and material, allowing actors to work on roles and relationships that are meaningful to them.
Prerequisite: Audition Required
Upcoming Professional Scene Study I
Professional On-Camera Scene Study I: The Tools class is designed for professional actors to deepen their craft. This class introduces The Barrow Group's practical, effective approach to acting through the tools and techniques outlined in Seth Barrish’s book “An Actor’s Companion.
This class explores The Barrow Group approach and tools on-camera. The class begins with an introduction to The Barrow Group approach and script analysis overview. Next, students explore The Barrow Group acting tools via scene study (3 scenes) and monologues (1 monologue).
The class offers a strong foundation in The Barrow Group methodology and highlights quick and powerful ways to make your work more natural and spontaneous.
Playback is watched in class to further the discussion and exploration of the TBG approach and tools. This footage is not shared with students.
Prerequisite: Audition Required
Upcoming Professional On-Camera Scene Study I
In this class, students continue to deepen their understanding and application of The Barrow Group approach and tools via scene study.
A key focus of the class is developing the art of self-assessment and self-adjustment. With guidance from the teaching artist, students learn how to evaluate their own work and apply appropriate tools and adjustments.
The goal of the class is to foster greater independence, empower actors to trust their instincts, and prepare for the realities of professional work. By developing the ability to self-assess and self-adjust, students gain the confidence and flexibility needed to meet the challenges of rehearsal, performance, and auditions.
Prerequisite: Professional Scene Study I: The Tools
Upcoming Professional Scene Study II
This on-camera course prepares actors for the unique demands and challenges of film and television performance. Through practical exercises and scene work, students develop an understanding of the technical skills required to work confidently and effectively on-camera.
The class focuses on essential on-set practices and terminology, including continuity, hitting marks, eyelines, coverage, framing, and other technical elements that support strong on-camera performances. Students learn how to adapt their work to the camera while maintaining authenticity, specificity, and spontaneity.
All work is recorded, and footage is shared with students after each class for review and self-evaluation. Please note that this footage is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for professional use or distribution.
Prerequisite: Professional On-Camera Scene Study I: The Tools
Upcoming Professional Film/TV Acting II: Technical Skills
This ongoing class is by invitation for students who have taken Professional Scene Study I and II and wish to continue to practice their craft at The Barrow Group.
Scene Study III focuses on a deeper and more precise understanding of the individual tools taught at TBG, the principles behind them, and how and when to apply them effectively. To strengthen this understanding, students are often asked teach the tool themselves. The process of articulating and demonstrating a tool helps actors clarify its purpose and deepen its application in their own work.
A central focus of the class is learning how to arrive at the second go on the first try. Actors often discover that their work becomes freer and more specific after the first go. This class explores how to access that same level of engagement from the outset.
The class also continues exploring self-diagnosis and self-adjustment in greater depth. Students learn how to assess their work while remaining actively engaged in the scene, developing the ability to make meaningful adjustments without sacrificing spontaneity. This process supports the larger goal of becoming a self-generating, collaborative artist who can work independently, contribute creatively, and thrive in professional rehearsal and performance environments.
Prerequisite: Professional Scene Study II: Self Adjustment and invitation.
Upcoming Professional Scene Study III
In our Transformation Class, actors advance their skill set and explore tools to transform a character with selected monologues and scenes.
The class begins with an overview of what transformation work is, when to use it, and examples of actors using it effectively in their storytelling. The workshop breaks down how to get started, observing people as research, and applying simple physical adjustments that can be made to transform a character. Students will work on scenes and monologues in class to further explore these transformation tools with material in and outside their comfort zone.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed Professional Scene Study II OR a 1-Year Acting Program OR a Professional 6-Week Summer Acting Program.
Upcoming Professional Scene Study III
Our Professional Film/TV Acting Class III: Acting on Set class prepares students for the particular demands and challenges of acting on camera. The focus is how to work on set: bringing your best as an actor while meeting the technical demands.
As part of this exploration, each actor has the opportunity to shoot two scenes in class to be edited and shared on the last day by the editor.
These scenes will be shared with students. Daily footage is not shared with students. Please note, these scenes are not viable to use for a reel/marketing purpose.
Upcoming Professional Film/TV Acting III
This ongoing class is designed for experienced actors who have a strong foundation in The Barrow Group approach and are committed to deepening their craft in a rigorous, professional-level environment.
Professional Scene Study IV focuses on the continued refinement of technique, artistic independence, and the integration of The Barrow Group tools into an actor's personal process. Through scene study, actors are challenged to work with greater specificity, flexibility, and nuance while strengthening their ability to make clear, compelling choices in rehearsal and performance.
A central focus of the class is the development of the self-generating artist. Students are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for diagnosing challenges in their work, selecting appropriate tools, and making meaningful adjustments in real time. The goal is to cultivate actors who can work independently, collaborate effectively, and bring a strong sense of authorship to their creative process.
Because the work evolves with each ensemble and scene, this class can be taken repeatedly, providing actors with a continuing laboratory for growth, exploration, and artistic excellence.
Prerequisites: By invitation only and completion of Professional Scene Study III
Upcoming Professional Scene Study IV
The master classes are by invitation only (most students have taken Scene Study III several times, and are very familiar with The Barrow Group tools). Here, the members of The Barrow Group acting community, gather to continue their development in this “acting gym class.”
Our Master Teaching Artists will help the actors shape their performances while sharing specific bits of craft and receiving specific direction. This environment has a decided emphasis on script analysis and its application to scene work.
Actors who have been invited to join this class, will receive an email notification prior to the start of the next class session.
Prerequisite: By invitation only. Please fill out this interest form. Students must have completed Professional Scene Study III to be considered.
Upcoming Master Classes
The Professional Scene Study classes are the heart of the Barrow Group. These classes are an ordered progression from which experienced, professional actors train in The Barrow Group Acting Approach.
All students, regardless of experience, start with Professional Scene Study I: The Tools.
Please note, these are not beginning acting classes, and require an audition.
Professional Classes Assessment Policies
In order to offer the best service possible, we will assess students in the professional acting track after completion of Professional Scene Study I: The Tools and Professional Scene Study II: Self-Adjustment. TBG Teaching Artists will be asked to make recommendations for each student:
- Continuation in the professional track (Professional Scene II or III)
- Repeat a class level (Professional Scene Study I or II)
- Or move to a different track completely
“I walked through the doors of The Barrow Group and rediscovered not only joy in Acting, but an essential belief in myself.”