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. The Art of Specificity Intensive
3 Past Workshops
_________
1. ONGOING SCENE STUDY & AUDITION CLASS -
IN PERSON/ONLINE HYBRID
Classes are Tuesday evenings
November 3, 10, 17, & 24 6-10pm
--------
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
___________________________
2. THE ART OF SPECIFICITY
Weekend Workshop LA
Saturday, December 5th & Sunday, December 6th, 10am-6pm
How do you set yourself apart in an audition? How do you serve the text while still making bold choices? We all want the casting director and producers to see the unique contribution we can make to a role. But sometimes our efforts take us away from the story being told, or we stay general because we're just not sure how to make it our own, or worse, we think we're being specific when we're not. This weekend intensive will help you assess your own process and give you new tools to meeting a role's need for specificity. You will learn to find hidden clues in the script, use your uniqueness to create specific characters, and discover ways to be even more present in the audition. Everyone puts up a scene and works both days. Exercises designed to up level your specificity will be practiced both days.
Tuition:
Before October 31st $320 After October 31st $360
_______
3. 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.
SUMMER ACTING RETREAT
Thursday, August 13th - Sunday, August 16th
This is MDC Studio’s eighth 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