Although this is not specifically a Meisner workshop, the well-respected acting teacher Sanford Meisner—who trained many well-known actors such as Gregory Peck, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert Duvall and writer David Mamet to name a few—stated “acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” Being able to enter into the imaginary world of the story and truthfully convey the hopes, dreams, needs and wants of the character that lives in that world, is the key to memorable acting. How do successful actors achieve this consistently? In this workshop we will explore some of the basic tools and techniques of the craft of acting. Tools that when applied can strengthen your acting skills and improve your chances of getting the role when going for an audition.
What you will learn:
• Doing is the essence of good acting. How to know what to specifically focus on in a scene to make it come alive with a truthful performance.
• The imaginary circumstances of the script. How to recognize them and make them real to you so they can work for you.
• How to kick start your imagination and other tips and tricks to help you get into the imaginary world of the story.
• How to trigger your emotions consistently and dependably.
• Inner dialogue (or the art of speaking when you’re not speaking).
• Active listening (or the art of specifically reacting to what you’re hearing in a scene).
• How to bring what is uniquely/personally you, to the script.
• How to break down the script and understand/find what you need to do to make the character and the scene/dialogue come to life.
• Basic audition tips and protocol.
When: 6:30–9:30 p.m., Sunday, June 24
Where: 521 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite M-428
Honolulu, HI
Class size is limited. This class is also open to a limited number of non-union participants.
Cost: Current SAG-AFTRA members - $10; non-union - $40
Theo Coumbis has worked for over 30 years in film, television and theatre as a professional actor. Coumbis is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has guest starred in shows such as Lost, Hawaii Five-O, Off the Map, Baywatch, North Shore, Fantasy Island, Love and Pancakes for Amazon Studios and many others. He was also featured in movies such as Into the Blue 2, You May Not Kiss the Bride, Testaments, Cameron Crowe’s Aloha and was the co-lead in the HIFF short The Round Up. He also worked on independent movie productions as an acting coach, casting director, co-producer, writer and director. Theo has a Diploma in Performing Arts from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. His work in film, television and theatre has taken him to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the USA. Theo is currently teaching acting classes as head instructor at Scott Rogers Studios, in Honolulu.
RSVP: Please email Mericia Palma Elmore at mericia.palmaelmore@sagaftra.org. ONLY PAYMENT CONFIRMS YOUR RESERVATION. Please mail your check made payable to “SAG-AFTRA Conservatory” to 949 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 106, Honolulu, HI 96814.