Adult Theatre Classes

Beginning Acting Classes

Acting Fundamentals I: Creating a Believable Character

Every play and dramatic situation is different. Actors must learn versatility to meet the demands of each unique play. This workshop will explore the "actor's homework," using a variety of classic and unconventional methods to discover a believable character. Topics covered will include:

Exploring character attributes
Creating a unique life history for a character
Physical, emotional, and spiritual approaches to character
Pacing your character throughout the play

For ages 14 and up. No prior experience necessary. Class size limited to 10. Class has passed.

Acting Fundamentals II: Circumstance, Objective, Obstacle

All plays share the dramatic experiences of a person or people who want something specific as they deal with particular circumstances and other people. The play is the actor's guidebook. Actors have to know how to use a play like a road map to help shape their performance. Fundamental acting exercises will explore:

What are "events" and "beats" and what do I do with them?
What is a through-line?
How to "score" a play
How does my character overcome obstacles in the play?

For ages 14 and up. No prior experience necessary. Class size limited to 10.

Acting Fundamentals III: Relationship and Action

Ultimately, no character exists by themselves. Plays are about our experiences in the world around us, among other people, and the choices we make in those circumstances. This workshop will explore the most vital element of drama: interacting with others, and how those relationships create the actions we make on stage. Students will explore:

How to work with other actors in rehearsal
How to influence other characters in the play
How to make choices during a scene, and how to change them
How other character affect yours in a play

For ages 14 and up. No prior experience necessary. Class size limited to 10.

“THESE CLASSES ROCK. All those involved in theatre could
benefit and grow in some way from them—every single area on
and off the stage! I would encourage anyone and everyone to
attend these classes. Not only will they be helpful in my future
endeavors, but I’ve met great people and even learned a few things I use in daily life.” -Amy Zwicker

"I think these classes are an amazing resource for our theatre community. I have learned so much more about acting in just a few classes. I can't wait to apply some of the tips."
-Tammie Smiley

"The classes I've taken have greatly opened my eyes to acting and theatre. Even now I watch others act with far more definition and appreciation of their roles. Stephen's many years of studying and his willingness to pass this on to others is an opportunity that you do not want to miss."
-Rick Maliszewski

Intermediate and Advanced Acting Classes

Intermediate Acting I: Tools for Handling Any Play

Every play is different and every acting school has a different technique, but actors can keep themselves well-tuned for most plays by working on a core of fundamental exercises. This class will explore dramatic demands repeatedly made of actors, including:

Entrances with a purpose
Urgency
Physical adjustments
Private moments
Period plays
Truth from moment to moment

Proven experience on stage needed for this class. Ages 14 and up. Class size limited to 10.

Intermediate Acting II: Scene Study

Plays can't happen without scenes. They are the building blocks of an entire play. Yet many actors have no technique for how to work on scenes, other than memorizing lines. This class will explore the many ways actors can build a scene with their partner, and how to connect the scene to the play, including:

Use of improv for scene work
"The moment before"
The circle of objects
Alternative approaches

Proven experience on stage needed for this class. Ages 14 and up. Class size limited to 10.

Advanced Acting: The Highest Demands

The most revered plays are typically the most complex, which make the highest demands of an actor's technique, stamina, and talent. This class will challenge each participant to push beyond their comfort zone, explore more intense dramatic material, and broaden their range. Through monologue and/or scene work, students will call upon their technique to create truthful acting that is fully committed, often unpredictable, and ultimately riveting. Topics will include:

Self-control with intense characters
Vulnerability on stage
How to fulfill a demanding roll
Self indulgence vs. sharing

Ages 14 and up. Class size limited to 10.

Cost:
Members - $20.00/class
Non-Members - $25.00/class

Private Coaching

If you have an audition for college or university regional theatre or summer stock, acting schools or community theatre, private audition coaching is available. In a one-on-one session with the instructor, you'll work on every detail of a piece you already have, or get help finding the right pieces for a particular audition. You'll do intense exploration to heighten every moment-to-moment objective and action within your monologue. Using a variety of techniques, you'll learn how to pace the entire piece, and how to bring it alive physically and emotionally for an audition piece with real impact.
45 minutes. Ages 14 and up. Email to set up date.
$15.00/45minutes

Instructor

Stephen Eliasson
Stephen has worked for more than 30 years as an actor, fight director, and movement consultant. He trained as an actor at the Terry Schreiber Studio in New York City and certified in advanced levels of stage combat with The Society of American Fight Directors. His varied movement background also includes Chinese kempo, Wing Chun, Soo Hwa Gung Fu Japanese aikido and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu sword work, foil and epee fencing (Miklos Bartha/Santelli), ballet, modern, and period dance, classic pantomime, Grotowski movement theatre, and bioenergetics. He has choreographed dozens of productions for professional, regional, and community theaters, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and European theatre festivals, plus taught actors, dancers, singers, and opera students at the university and conservatory levels.