UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Got a lot of comedy coming this summer. Michael will also be doing a couple mixed genre
workshops in July through the LA SAG-AFTRA Conservatory. Coming soon!
Scroll down for:
1. Ongoing Scene Study (Hybrid)
2. 4-day Summer Acting Retreat
3. Acting Master Class
4. Vancouver - Acting in Sitcoms
5. August 29 & 30 Comedy Acting Workshop
6. Past Workshops
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1. ONGOING SCENE STUDY & AUDITION CLASS -
IN PERSON/ONLINE HYBRID
Classes are usually Sunday evenings, but moving to Tuesdays for July:
Tuesday, July 7, 14, 21, 28, 6-10pm
August
There won't be weekly classes in August, but there will be the acting retreat and a weekend workshop on Acting in Comedy (see below). Classes will resume on Sunday nights September - November.
December - weekend workshop TBA
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Studio located on Melrose between La Brea and Fairfax
$320 for 4 class session ($295 for returning students registering by 15th of the month)
max 14 students
Hybrid - some online spots available
My classes are known for being a safe and supportive environment where you will grow as an artist and as a person. You can expect to gain:
* clarity about your strengths as an actor
* awareness of what holds you back along with the skills and support to break through
* skills to approach various genres, and unique techniques for comedy in particular
* specificity.... wayyyyy more of it in your work
* techniques for breaking down scenes
* confidence in your auditions and your scenework
* authenticity in how you show up
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2. SUMMER ACTING RETREAT
Retreat #1
Thursday, July 16th - Sunday, July 19th
Retreat #2
Thursday, August 13th - Sunday, August 16th
This is MDC Studio’s seventh & eight acting summer camp for adults up in a beautiful forest setting in the
Southern Californian mountains 2 hours east of Los Angeles.
The intent of the weekend is to:
* transform blocks to your acting and hone your skills/craft
* become more aware of and confident in what it is that makes you unique as an actor and then integrate your authenticity into your performance
* re-ignite your passion for acting and get clearer about how to reach your goals
* have fun, connect with other actors and be in nature
The work is individualized and trauma informed.
Accommodation is in a large cabin a short walk from the studio where we will be meeting during the weekend. It is in a beautiful nature/forest setting. (See room pics below)Tuition:
$1450 (ask re. SAG-AFTRA & other org discounts)
Payment plans available
Cost includes accommodation, food and the workshop
Food sensitivities can be accommodated.
Group size is 8-10 actors max in each retreat
TO APPLY FOR ONGOING SCENE STUDY CLASSES and THE
SUMMER ACTING RETREAT
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3. ACTING MASTER CLASS
Want to (re)Ignite your passion for your craft and process, find new perspectives on specificity, transcend stopping places, take stock of where you are, and get clear about what's next for you in your growth as an actor? This workshop will bring new life, vigor, presence and fulfillment to your performance while being in community with your fellow actors. Participants will be assigned a partner (or you can pair up if you know someone taking the class) in advance of the workshop. Pairs will prep a 3-5 minute scene of their choice. The focus will be on theatre, but film or television projects are also acceptable choices.
DATE: Monday, August 10th
TIME: Either 10am-2pm or 6pm-7pm Please state your preference in your registration form
LOCATION: The Matrix Theatre on Melrose - home of Rogue Machine Theatre
TUITION: Partial proceeds go to Rogue Machine Theatre
$80 full participant / $20 to audit if registered by July 15th
$100 full participant / $25 to audit if registered after July 15th
CLASS SIZE: 14 participants max.
REGISTRATION CRITERIA: As a master class, we will be addressing the specific needs of actors who have significant training and experience acting professionally in stage, tv and/or film.
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4. ACTING IN SITCOMS
Haven Acting Studio - Vancouver, BC
August 22nd & 23rd, 10:00am-3:00pm
Unlock your comedic potential with Michael D. Cohen’s holistic approach to comedy! In this workshop, you'll work on sitcom scenes, dive into comedic text analysis, and master jokes, tone, and pacing—all while bringing your authentic self to the role. Learn essential audition techniques and scene study to stand out in the industry.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
------------5. ACTING IN COMEDIES
Weekend Workshop LA
Saturday, August 29th & Sunday, August 30th, 10am-6pm
This workshop will help actors gain confidence working with comedic auditions and bookings by honing skills in text analysis, timing, nailing the jokes, knowing "how big" to be, finding authenticity and more. In addition to assigned scene work (everyone works both days), we will be doing practical exercises to hone techniques in performing scripted comedies.
Tuition: $320
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6. PAST WORKSHOPS
AUDITIONING FOR TV/FILM COMEDIES
Groundlings Master Class
This seminar will offer techniques for nailing TV comedy auditions. We will address multi-cam vs single-cam tone, finding the jokes, nailing the timing, physical comedy, and more. Learn specific techniques for analyzing a scene for comedy, nailing the jokes, tone and pacing, and make acting choices that respect the writers yet make you stand out in the casting session.
TRAUMA INFORMED PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
MDC Studio
Co-facilitated with psychotherapists Adrienne Glasser and Greg Carlsson
Therapeutic techniques used for processing trauma are also powerful tools for performers seeking greater
presence, power, and authenticity on stage. In a supportive, fun, and professionally facilitated environment,
participants will gain tools to:
• Identify and transform performance blocks
• Learn tools to create character and story using brain-based techniques
• Access your authenticity and innate power as a performer
DAY 1 — BRAINSPOTTING - A neurobiological approach developed by David Grand to process trauma and unlock creative depth. Widely used by artists to quickly access emotional truth and embodied presence.
DAY 2 — IFS PARTS WORK (Internal Family Systems) Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS identifies and works with the various parts of our being. This framework supports both healing performance blocks and creatively utilizing inner parts for performance.
TO APPLY FOR ONGOING SCENE STUDY CLASSES and THE
SUMMER ACTING RETREAT