Free Open House March 28 Offers Sneak Preview of Spring Acting Classes
On Wednesday, March 28, Howard Meyer’s Acting Program (aka HMActing) is hosting a free, no obligation Open House to introduce adults and youngsters to the variety of acting classes offered for all ages and levels. An affiliate of Axial Theatre, a professional company in Pleasantville (N.Y.), HMActing was founded 20 years ago by Mr. Meyer, an award-winning playwright, as well as an actor and director, who serves as artistic director of Axial Theatre.
HM Acting’s spring 2018 semester begins Wednesday, April 4.
Open House attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one and take part in a Q&A with all HMActing faculty members. Adult Beginner and Intermediate instructor Rachel Jones, and Children and Teens instructor Catherine Banks, both actors and directors with Axial Theatre, will engage attendees in sample classes that utilize exercises and methodologies inspired by legendary acting instructors Sanford Meisner and Konstantin Stanislavski. Their techniques also incorporate acting concepts developed by Meyer and the faculty. Meyer teaches the Advanced and Master classes. HMActing also offers performance and monologue workshops, private coaching, and intensive one-day workshops in voice, movement and other disciplines.
HM Acting also welcomes actors with credentials who have taken a hiatus from theatre and wish to reinvigorate their craft and technique.
“If not now, when?” says Meyer. “So many people long to get on stage, then stop themselves by saying ‘I don’t have time,’ or ‘I’m not the right age,’ or ‘I might get stage fright.’ They could be missing a life-changing experience –one that can do all from unleash one’s creative expression to launch a career path or change.”
Students of the Howard Meyer Acting program are able to demonstrate what they learn in class by performing on stage in front of friends, family and others.
Dan Forman, a student who entered classes as a beginner and advanced to the master class level, says, “Howard’s broad knowledge and insightful teaching skills have helped me to shine a light on my deeper self and to build my actor’s craft. Studying at HM Acting continues to be one of the great learning experiences in my life.”
Siobhan McKinley, a master class student who entered as a beginner and progressed to star in an Axial mainstage production, says, “Howard Meyer’s acting classes have given me the necessary safe place to develop and evolve into the actor I am today. The care, guidance and tools that Howard has provided me …to develop my acting skills have been undeniably the best training I’ve ever received...”
HMActing fall classes begin Wednesday evening, April 4, at 7 p.m. Beginner Adult (age 18 up) classes run for six weeks. The cost is $245, with a 12- week option of $395. Intermediate, Advanced and Master classes are offered by invitation for students previously enrolled in the program or, at the discretion of the instructor, for actors with substantial prior experience and training.
Teen (ages 13-17) classes run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for 12 weeks beginning Wednesday, April 4th and cost $395; children’s classes also start April 4 and run for 12 weeks from 4 to 5 pm and cost $385.
Aspiring actors 10-17 years old are invited to arrive at 5:30 p.m.; those 18 and older should arrive at 7 p.m. The Open House will be held in the Community Room of St. John's Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave., Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570. Refreshments will be served.
For more information on the March 28 Open House and HMActing, visit HMActing.org; contactaxialtheatre@gmail.com; or call 914-286-7680.
Axial Theatre offers professional fall and spring productions of new, never-produced plays by acclaimed writers; contemporary, award-winning works from Broadway and Off-Broadway; and revivals of timeless classics.
MEDIA CONTACTS
FOR HOWARD MEYER’S ACTING PROGRAM & AXIAL THEATRE
Evelyn Mertens
Bruce Apar
914. 275.6887 (cell)
bruce@aparpr.co