Summer Camp 2008
 

Classes are offered in four programs:
Acting Classes
Musical Theatre
Specialty Classes 
Children & Teen Classes

 

The Acting Program
Open to Adults and Teens

 
LEVEL 1: Intro to Acting
Discover the actor inside of you!  By using theatre games and improvisation, students will learn basic theatre skills in a supportive, creative and fun environment. Learn how to answer the questions all actors must ask before they even pick up a script: Who? Where? What? Why? How? This class is the first step to building a solid foundation in the art of acting.
 
LEVEL 2: An Actor Prepares
Students will work on monologues while learning how to analyze a script, identify a character's problems and solve those problems. Advanced theatre games are used to deepen basic skills. In addition, there will be further development of the actor's physical resources of voice and movement.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of an introductory acting class or an interview.
 
LEVEL 3: Scene Study
Explore characters and relationships on a deeper level. In this class, students will track a character's journey through a scene and learn to further articulate the essential elements of a character's objectives, obstacles, conflicts and relationships. Rehearsal with a scene partner outside of class is required.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 2 or by audition.
 
LEVEL 4: Building A Character
Using theater games, scenes and monologues, students discover how action and behavior shape characterization. Learn to create a distinct physical and emotional personality for the character. The class will culminate in a scene night open to the public.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 3 or by audition.
 
LEVEL 5: Advanced Acting
Students will now explore advanced material, focusing on classic playwrights and their styles. Works by playwrights such as Miller, Mamet, Chekhov, Williams, Pinter, Ionesco and Shakespeare will be used. The class will culminate in a scene night open to the public.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 4 or by audition.
 
LEVEL 6: The Professional Showcase
Students will apply all of the skills they've learned by rehearsing and performing in a professional production of one act plays on the stage at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 5 or by audition.
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 THE MASTER CLASS

An ongoing class for advanced students and working actors to continue to hone their skills and technique.  Students may work on monologues, scenes, exercises or any project of their choice.  *Prerequisite: By audition or invitation only.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Students may schedule one on one coaching sessions with a director to prepare for auditions, college admissions or for special projects or needs.  Please call for an appointment

 

Musical Theater
Open to Adults and Teens

Voice 101: The Art of Singing
Love musical theater?  Always wanted to learn how to sing?  Learn about the most essential element of musical theater: the voice!  Students will work on vocal techniques, proper breathing, diction, projection and best of all, singing.  Group numbers will be used.  Outside practice is recommended.
 
Musical Theater
At this level, the performance elements of musical theater are introduced. Students continue to develop vocal skills while learning how to act through a song. Group numbers, duets and solos will be used.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Voice 101 or by permission of instructor.
 
Musical Theater DANCE!

Learn to become more comfortable with dance and movement.  This course combines the traditional styles of jazz, ballet and tap into a fun blend of "Broadway" style dance.  You will learn techniques, steps and combinations commonly used in musical theater dance. 

Private Voice Coaching
For students looking for uniquely personal instruction. Individually scheduled sessions may be used to improve technique, find new material, prepare for auditions, etc.

 

Specialty Classes
Open to Adults and Teens

  Acting For Film and Television : Level 1

This course will teach actors how to approach written material for TV and Film: exploring choice, size and physicality in front of the camera. Learn the differences between reading stage scenes and film scripts, and between preparing and developing a character for film versus the stage. Auditioning for the camera will also be covered. The class is appropriate for theater actors adjusting to the camera, and seasoned professionals looking to improve their craft.    *Prerequisite: Successful completion or current enrollment in  Acting Level 3-Scene Study or by permission of a director.
 
Acting For Film and Television : Level 2

Building on the tools learned in Level 1, students will now concentrate specifically on ways to build a character for the camera. The class will include techniques that are designed to further develop and translate a character to film.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Film & TV : Level 1 and Acting Level 4 or by permission of a director.

 
  Acting For Film and Television : Level 3

Level 3 will cover character work while on the set, pacing during a film shoot, and more detailed script analysis. This class is a forum for working actors and students to fine tune any or all concerns that they may want to address during a shoot.  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Film & TV : Level 2 and Acting Level 5 or by permission of a director.

 
The TV Commercial Industry
Everything you wanted to know about the TV commercial industry is included in this class. Photos, resumes, how and where to look for work, union vs. non-union jobs, agents, and casting directors are discussed. You will learn how to prepare for the commercial audition by working on camera each week.  By the end of this class, students are ready to start their career!
 
Introduction to Improv
Give your imagination a blast of spontaneity! Learn how to better use your observation, concentration, creativity and quick thinking skills. Plus, learn how to use improvisation during theatre rehearsals and while performing on stage. A fun and funny course!
 
Advanced Improv Workshop
Students will now build on the fundamental rules of improvisation. In the first half of this course, you will learn the basics of improvising a scene and how to keep it afloat. In the second half, we will incorporate all of the rules of improv by working on performance games. The last class will give students a chance to be put "on the spot" by performing in front of an invited audience!     All students who successfully complete this class are eligible to audition for Nutty By Nature, the professional improv troupe.  *Prerequisite:  Completion of Intro to Improv or by permission of the instructor.
 

  The Directing Workshop

 Emphasis will be on the basics of directing: script analysis, blocking, style / concepts, collaboration (with the author,producer, stage manager, design team,etc.), prompt books,and working with the actor. This class is a project based and mentored program. The session will end in a final showcase of 10 minute scenes with actors of your choice. Time will be allotted for rehearsals during class however outside rehearsal may be required.  NOTE: Class size is limited to 8 students.  *Prerequisite: Admission only by permission of the instructor.
 
Audition Technique
By the end of this course you will be set for your next audition and will have two "ready to go" monologues. Students will also learn how to prepare and perform "cold" readings and how to ace the agent/casting director interview.  *Prerequisite: Completion of Level 3 or by permission of the instructor.
 

 Speech for the Actor

A must for actors interested in increasing their vocal richness and emotional range in order to maximize their individual potential. This process based course will consist of voice, speech and language. Voice includes breath and body placement, and breath support. Speech includes vowel placement, accent reduction and recognizing personal patterns. Language will include work on Shakespeare and learning to use language as a tool for defining character in performance and auditioning.
 

 Playwriting: Character and Dialogue

This playwriting course focuses on play development.   Directing and acting techniques, as well as perspectives on the American Stage will also be included.   Each session will feature discussions on aspects of theatre with topics like stage design and technical elements. The class will culminate with an evening of staged readings of participants finished scenes.  Playwriting sessions will be led by Paul Caruso -  professional writer, teacher, and director who will also stage the readings.  In addition to being a seasoned playwright, Paul holds an MA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and well as a MA in Educational Theatre, also from NYU.

 

Children & Teen Classe

CLASSES FOR KIDS
 New Jersey Acting Classes for Kids
 
Ready, Set, ACT! (Grades 3 - 4)
Children learn the fundamentals of theatre in a fun, supportive and creative atmosphere. Through theatre games and improvisation, students develop original material and concentrate on the who, where, when and how of their characters and scene. The class stretches a child's imagination and embraces the unique creativity in each of them. The last session includes a final informal performance.
 
NEW!  A Play A Day (Grades 3 - 4)

Each week the class will create a new play from start to finish!  While using stories from literature, students will learn how to use their imaginations to create characters, places and scenes.  Each child’s unique creativity will be carefully nurtured as they expand their possibilities and shine their light.  Simple props and costumes will be used.  Our favorite play will be presented to family and friends during our final class.

 
Musical Theatre for Kids: Disney Classics (Grades 3 - 4)

Using familiar songs and scenes from classic Disney films (including High School Musical), students will learn the basics of musical theater performance.  Vocal technique, beginning acting skills and basic choreography will be developed as students “put it all together” in this fun-filled class.   The last session includes a final informal performance.

 
NEW!  Musical Theatre for Kids: Broadway Juniors (Grades 3 - 4)
Using familiar songs and scenes from classic Broadway shows and films such as The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz and Suessical, students will learn the basics of musical theater performance.  Vocal technique, beginning acting skills and basic choreography will be developed as students “put it all together” in this fun-filled class.   The last session includes a final informal performance.
 
 

CLASSES FOR TWEENS / TEENS
NJ Acting Classes for Tweens NJ Acting School for Teens

 
The Tween (Ages 10-13) Acting Program
 Level 1
By using theatre games and improvisation, students will learn basic theatre skills in a supportive, creative and fun atmosphere. The second half of the semester emphasizes learning to understand a script, identifying the character's problems and discovering how to solve them. Students will work on a monologue or scene for the final open class project.
 
Level 2
In this level characters and relationships are explored on a deeper level. Students discover how action and behavior shape characterization.  Students continue to track their character's journey through scenes and monologues;  articulating  the essential elements of building a character, playing objectives, fighting through obstacles and trying to resolve the conflict in the scene.  As always, instructors continue to encourage the unique creativity of each student.  The session culminates in a final open class project.   *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 or by interview and audition.
Level 3

Level 3 students will continue to hone their acting technique by working on material individualized for their specific growth.  Work can include monologues, scene study, acting exercises, or other projects of the teacher's choosing.  Continued development of the actor's physical resources will be included.  The semester will culminate in a complete staging of theater pieces performed at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College!.  Prerequisite: Completion of Level 2 AND permission of a director.  Students entering our program for the first time must audition for placement in this program.

 
Improv Comedy Workshop

Give your imagination a blast of spontaneity!  Learn the basic rules of improvisational comedy and then put them to use playing performance games (similar to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?").  The last class will include a comedy showcase for family and friends.

 
THE NJSDA ACTING COMPANY:A PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP (Ages 10-14)

 This program is designed for our most advanced young performers. Students who are invited to participate in this special performance company have exhibited outstanding merit and desire!  Company members will collaborate on all aspects of the production and each will have a leading-role!  This semester will feature The Zoom Plays!  The fun and funny sketches, stories, puns, jokes and scenes from the popular PBS series ZOOM.  Performances will be TBA.  (Dress rehearsal will be TBA from 4:30pm - 6:30pm.)  Members are required to be available for the performance and are expected to attend ALL rehearsals. (Exceptions will be considered on an as need basis.)  Prerequisite: Students new to our program must have permission of a director.

 
The Teen (Ages 13-17) Acting Program
Level 1

This level is for students entering our program for the first time.  The class emphasizes the development of a strong acting technique through the use of theater games, improvisation and scripted material.  Students learn how to answer the questions all actors must ask in order to successfully approach a script: Who?  Where?  What?  Why?  How?  Exploration of the actor's physical resources of voice and movement will also be used.  The last class will be open to invited guests.

 
Level 2

In this level we explore characters and relationships on a deeper level. Students discover how action and behavior shape characterization.  They continue to track their character's journey through scenes and monologues;  articulating  the essential elements of building a character, playing objectives, fighting through obstacles and trying to resolve the conflict in the scene.  As always, instructors continue to encourage the unique creativity of each student.  The session culminates in a final open class.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 or by interview and audition.

 
Level 3 : The Master Class

Level 3 students will continue to hone their acting technique by working on material individualized for their specific growth.  Work can include monologues, scene study, acting exercises or other projects of the instructor's choosing.  Continued development of the actor's physical resources will be included.  The semester will culminate in a complete staging of theater pieces performed at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College!.  Prerequisite: Completion of Level 2 AND permission of a director.  Students entering our program for the first time must audition for placement in this program.

 
 NEW!  Acting For Film and Television

This course will teach students how to approach written material for TV and Film: exploring choice, size and physicality in front of the camera. Learn the differences between reading stage scenes and film scripts, and between preparing and developing a character for film versus the stage. Auditioning for the camera will also be covered.  This class is limited to only 10 students!  *Prerequisite: Successful completion or current enrollment in  Acting Level 2 or by permission of a director.

 
NEW!  Improv Comedy Workshop

Give your imagination a blast of spontaneity!  Learn the basic rules of improvisational comedy and then put them to use playing performance games (similar to "Whose Line Is It Anyway?").  The last class will include a comedy showcase for family and friends.

 
The Tweens and Teens Musical Theater Program 

Level 1: Voice

In this fun, non-competitive class, students are introduced to the most important element of Musical Theater: the Voice!  By using group numbers, students will learn about vocal technique, proper breathing, diction, projection and best of all, the joy of singing! 

 

Level 2: The Art of Singing

At this level, the performance elements of musical theater are introduced. Students continue to develop vocal skills while learning how to act through a song. Group numbers, duets and solos will be used.  As always, instructors encourage the unique abilities of each student.  The last session will be an open class for family and friends.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 or by permission of instructor.
 
Level 3: Performance Workshop

This class is designed to develop the TOTAL performer!  Skills in vocal technique, acting and musical staging will be emphasized.  Group numbers, duets and solos from popular musical theater will be used to teach a core vocal technique.  Scenes from musicals will be used to tell the story of the character.  Basic choreography will be taught to deepen required musical theater skills.  The semester will culminate in a complete staging of musical theater pieces performed at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College!  *Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 2 or by permission of instructor.

 
Musical Theater DANCE!

Learn to become more comfortable with dance and movement.  This course combines the traditional styles of jazz, ballet and tap into a fun blend of "Broadway" style dance.  You will learn techniques, steps and combinations commonly used in musical theater dance.  At the end of the course, we will have an informal performance-an "informance"-where you can share the combinations you have learned!

 

The New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts
New Jersey's Premier Acting School
593 Bloomfield Ave,  Bloomfield, NJ 
(973) 566-9700     info@njactors.org

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