The Program

Professional Acting Series

A brand new series of classes designed by the leading industry professionals to give you an artistic and competitive edge regardless if you are a beginner or just need to brush up your existing skills. This series of classes are targeted to students who want to work in the industry. A great place to start if you have little or no experience, as well as a great continuation for those who would like to develop new skills or polish existing skills in the craft.

IMPROVISATION (20 Hrs): The beginning and the end of the creative process. This is a great place to start if you need to overcome stage fright, gain confidence in front of an audience of any size, think quickly on your feet and increase creativity through the art of improvisation. It is also ideal for the performer with various techniques but has a difficulty adding an authentic feel of spontaneity to their work. Students will be introduced to an exclusive system that is the backbone of any kind of improv. No need to worry if you don't feel clever, witty or funny, as this class is open to all levels of experience. Learn to create spontaneous conversation dialogue and scenes. Learn how to ad-lib, build confidence and deal with the unexpected. Developing a keen understanding of this system will allow you to identify exactly what works or if it doesn't, what can be done. Students learn through exercises, games and ensemble work and there is no homework or prerequisites. If time allows, students are introduced to long-from improvisation and prepared for more advanced levels of improvisation.

ACTING TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP (30 Hrs): If you already have some improv experience, this is a great place to begin. This is a studio approach to the latest techniques required by working actors designed for any level of experience from beginner to accomplished pro brushing up on their latest techniques for both the stage and screen. Participants will learne the basics behind the craft from a brief history of acting all the way to 20th and 21st century techniques. All levels welcome.

DIALECTS (10 Hrs): This course gives a brief overview of the tools you need to master dialects for performance, communication or just for fun. Participants will be given an understanding of their own dialect and how to control and reduce it when necessary as well as learn the placement of many popular dialects such as Standard American, Standard British, Irish, Scottish and Spanish as well as more exotic and creative dialects. Instructed by the critically acclaimed Christie Shane.

TEXT AND SCENE STUDY (10 Hrs): Learn to break down your script and make discoveries of how to interpret and act the scene in rehearsal, cold readings, auditions or simply appreciate plays from both a literary and performance aspect. Learn to find clues to find the best way to convey the meaning of the text to the audience. Participants will study a screenplay, a contemporary stage play and a Shakespearean monologue.

THE BENEFITS

What are the benefits of studying in this program?

Great Training

Each class is revised every semester to be sure it is focusing on contemporary techniques that are in demand by directors, producers, playwright's, agents, casting directors, as well as professional performers. Each course outline is designed by professional performers as well as experienced educators. Just because someone is a good performer, doesn't make them a good teacher, and vice versa. They are backed by an accredited higher educational institution, El Centro College. This means you recieve CEU's for each class on an official academic transcript that you can bring to any College or University. These classes are continuing education which means they can be modified to keep up with the every changing workforce. This also means there are no grades assigned to modify your GPA if you are pursuing an academic degree, but your work is recorded. There are no TASP tests, developmental courses involved and you do not have to be admitted as a credit student.

Great Teachers

Each of the instructors have both successful acting and teaching careers with years of experience. They are usually involved in various professional productions during the program so you can see them at work, and can bring not only their past experience, but current experiences to the class. They are not only degreed in the craft, but also have experience both locally and abroad, and most importantly have a passion for teaching, the art and passing on their experience.

Great Tuition

Classes are based on flat-rate and competitive workforce training prices in a public college. That means your taxes already help defray the cost of tuition, and there is a large institution to back it up. There are no out-of-county or out-of-state fees, and no hidden fees.

Great Facilities

El Centro College has some state-of-the-art facilities as well as opportunties with many local professional theaters in the area.

Great Times

These classes offer flexible schedules convenient for the working professional (whether as an actor or any other day job). Courses are consolidated into 10-30 hour concentrated workshops so there is no need to make long term commitments or change your overall schedule. Our longest classes are completed within 10 weeks. Times are set in the evenings and early on weekends to allow you to pursue other acting jobs or personal interests while enrolled.

SCHEDULE AND PRICES FALL, 2006

http://www.elcentrocollege.edu/AdmissionsEnrollment/Schedule_CE/2006-Fall/Arts.pdf

To Register for these classes, please call 214.860.2147
Some Classes have flex schedules, and others may change. If you are interested in a class but the above does not work with your schedule, please contact Tim Shane at tshane@dcccd.edu or call at 214.860.2142 for additional class offerings.

Training These Classes are designed and taught by working professionals in the industry as well as professional educators. In addition to being in the Shane-Arts Ensemble and held at El Centro College, a highly respected institution, every teacher has an accomplished career in their own right.