The Three C's of Acting, ONLINE

Yeah, it's not new, it's not clever, it's not innovative.

So why did I wait so long to do it, you ask?

Well, because many years in the past, I tried to do this same thing, at a time when it was new and clever and innovative.

I fell flat on my face.

No interest. No students. Just me all by my lonesome, putting on free sample classes on WebEx (we'll use Zoom for this class as it's a far more straightforward option. They were FREE, y'all. I still had almost zero takers. And when you do have just a couple, that makes for a very awkward class. It doesn't fill the students with with excitement and inspire trust. So even while what we did manage to do was pretty awesome (ever played a scene with someone from Australia?), it fizzled in fabulous fashion.

Now we're in a time when most of us are dealing with some level of COVID issues. We're also in a time when video conferencing has gotten MUCH better. So we can do this! I already know how!

And yes, we WILL BE DOING SCENE WORK.

So, fear be damned (you'll actually find that's not something I espouse, but that comes later)!

Starting Thursday, September 10th, I'll be holding a Three C's of Acting class (that will have some acting for film mixed in, because we're already using the medium, so why not?)

For those who have taken my classes before, you'll know that they're gentle, but never comfortable. They do well for actors who are just starting out, as well as those who have been working and studying for a long time. I enjoy having a mix of experience levels in my classes, as it enhances the environment for everyone. Each course runs for six weeks. 

For those who haven't taken my classes before, I'd love to welcome you in! I promise to create a safe environment that will nurture you, but take you beyond where you ever thought you'd be able to go. That's a big claim. I fully intend to back it up.

In addition to the newness of the class being online, I'll also be providing for everyone who signs up (even if you're not able to make it into the class due to the group being too large), two links for previously recorded classes. One is on Connection. The other is on Communication and Commitment. Those are the Three C's, by the way. Now you know. Mystery solved.

For those who are accepted into the class, you'll also get one free hour of one-on-one coaching with me. No extra charge.

The classes will meet at 6pm PDT, 7pm MDT, 8pm CDT, 9pm EDT. The classes will typically run for three hours. If you have to arrive late or leave early, that is totally acceptable. The online format makes it WAY less intrusive.

Signing up:
To sign up, please go here and fill out the form. Once that's done, the payment links are below. Full payment is $195 for the 6 week course. The non-refundable deposit is $35. If you make a deposit, the remainder of the payment ($140) will be due on or before the first day of class.

Payment links:
Three C's of acting full amount--go here.
Three C's of acting deposit--go here.
Three C's of acting balance--go here (only use this option if you've paid the deposit and need to pay the remainder).

I do also accept Venmo payments (@Ben-Hopkin).

Once the classes have started, the entire amount of $195 is due, regardless of the number of classes you end up attending. If something happens during the course (for example, you get cast in a show or film!) and you need to withdraw, talk to me about it. I can pro-rate the remainder of the classes and use it as a deposit for my next round of classes.

For those who might need some flexibility on payment, contact me (actingwithoutthedrama -at- gmail -dot- com) with a payment plan already thought through. I'll let you know whether or not it's something I can work with. I don't want the price to keep you from studying with me, so I'll do what I can to help you out!

Enrollment is limited (I like to keep the classes small), so make sure and sign up quickly! Your deposit insures your place in the course. Don't worry. If the classes fill up, I'll refund your deposit fully.

A note on tuition: you are signing up for the entire course. If you have to miss a class, you won't be refunded for that day. You're encouraged to clear your schedule on the day of class for the entire 6-week course.

Once you sign up for the Three C's of Acting, make sure you find and prepare a one-minute monologue (have it memorized and ready to perform for when the class starts). That will be the first thing we'll be working on in class. If you're having trouble finding something, email me (actingwithoutthedrama -at- gmail -dot- com) for tips and places you can start looking.

I'm excited to work with you, so let's get started!

Note(s) on Acting (Training)

When I was in grad school, one of my mentors, Richard Easton, came into class one day with a sheaf of papers that he started handing out.

This was a strange occurrence, as up to that point, Richard had never brought so much as a pencil to class. He was a true master of the stage, and we were learning Shakespeare from him. Our efforts were often punctuated with his most repeated phrase, "Yes. Something like that."

We were all 99.9% sure that's not at all what he meant.

Anyway, this morning, he waltzed into the room, speaking in his booming British accent, "I was on my second bottle of wine last night, when I decided to write down some notes on acting." He then proceeded to run down his list. It was eclectic, droll, and... much like Richard... spot on.

In my recollection, the page even had the title, "Notes on Acting." That may or may not be real.

That's basically what I'm doing here, today, sans the wine. Oh, and I really only have one note that I'm going really dissect right now. I can't promise that my insights will be nearly as helpful and entertaining as Richard's were (perhaps I'll share his at some point), but they are mostly mine, and they're in my brain and need to get out.

So what better place than the Interwebs?

There are a lot of things I've picked up over the years. Some of the things I've gathered have ended up with a hefty layer of dust on them, as I haven't bothered much with them since then. Other gems I've taken, examined, cut a bit on this side or that, and polished to a high sheen.

One of the most important things I think I've learned is that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to acting. If there's an approach I'm using, if it can't be flexible enough to adapt to the needs of each individual, that approach is ultimately a failure. Yes, it might have helped many others, and sometimes in exactly the same way, over and over. But that doesn't mean it will work this time.

And in acting, this time is the only time that really ever exists.

A brilliant performance, repeated perfectly, is no longer quite as brilliant the second time through. It's the bugger-all of acting, to be honest. In order to really achieve excellence, we have to let go of the idea of perfection.

We have to let go of the plan.

If I'm sticking to the roadmap of my performance I've painstakingly laid out, how well am I taking in the tiny, exquisite changes that are happening all around me? The person opposite me delivers their line with a slightly different inflection, a distinct change of body language... and I miss it, because I'm too busy checking in with my mental version of Siri. "Take a left... in... one hundred feet."

I've digressed. It was a fun digression, but a digression nonetheless.

The point is that, in teaching as in performance, we have to be completely tuned into the NOW. What's happening in this moment, right in front of us?

Another way of putting this is, if something I say doesn't work for you, chuck it. Defenestration is an art, and you can practice it right now.

I mean, give it a shot. Try to be open to the experience. But ultimately, if it doesn't do it for you, it doesn't do it for you. And I, as the one doing the instructing, need to be sensitive to that... and THEN CHANGE WHAT I'M DOING.

So part of what I'm doing here, and on my Twitter feed (@actingnodrama) is opening up a conversation. I don't expect or want it to be one-sided. If you disagree, say so. If something isn't clear, ask. And definitely if you ever feel even the slightest bit of disrespect, CALL ME ON THAT SHIT.

New Classes Starting in June!

***EDIT--The dates for both classes have been postponed! Also, the time for the Salt Lake Three C's class has changed!***

Well, it's been a hot minute since I've taught one of my classes. Now I'm starting up TWO!

Actors (or those wanting to start learning)! I'm starting up classes in June: The Three C's of Acting (in Salt Lake City) and Acting for Film (down in Orem)! The Three C's will start Tuesday, June 2nd, and Acting for Film will start Thursday, June 4th. I would love to have you join us for one or both!

The Three C' will meet Tuesdays (starting June 2nd) from 6-9pm. It will focus on my specific approach to the art of acting. If you've never taken a class from me before, this is a really good place to start. :)

The Acting for Film class will meet Thursdays (starting June 4th) from 7-10pm. This class will focus around on-camera techniques, and your work will be recorded for you to review.

For those who have taken my classes before, you'll know that they're gentle, but never comfortable. They do well for actors who are just starting out, as well as those who have been working and studying for a long time. I enjoy having a mix of experience levels in my classes, as it enhances the environment for everyone. Each course runs for six weeks.

The Three C's of Acting will meet at Scene 1 Talent Agency in SLC. The address is 747 E South Temple, Suite 120.

The Acting for Film class will meet in Orem at 381 East, 230 South. It's a house, and we'll be meeting in the studio space above the garage. There will be signs, but you will enter through the gate on the right side of the house, then take the stairs up to the studio.

Signing up:
To sign up, please go here and fill out the form. Once that's done, the payment links are below. Full payment is $195 for the 6 week course. The non-refundable deposit is $35. If you make a deposit, the remainder of the payment ($160) will be due on or before the first day of class.

Payment links:
Three C's of acting full amount--go here.
Three C's of acting deposit--go here.
Three C's of acting balance--go here (only use this option if you've paid the deposit and need to pay the remainder).

Acting for Film full amount--go here.
Acting for Film deposit--go here.
Acting for Film balance--go here (only use this option if you've paid the deposit and need to pay the remainder).

I also now accept Venmo payments (@Ben-Hopkin)

Once the classes have started, the entire amount of $195 is due, regardless of the number of classes you end up attending, which can be paid by cash, check or card. If something happens during the course (for example, a show or film) and you need to withdraw, talk to me about it. I can pro-rate the remainder of the classes and use it as a deposit for my next round of classes.

For those who might need some flexibility on payment, contact me (actingwithoutthedrama -at- gmail -dot- com) with a payment plan already thought through. I'll let you know whether or not it's something I can work with. I don't want the price to keep you from studying with me, so I'll do what I can to help you out!

Enrollment is limited (I like to keep the classes small), so make sure and sign up quickly! Your deposit insures your place in the course. Don't worry. If the classes fill up, I'll refund your deposit fully.

A note on tuition: you are signing up for the entire course. If you have to miss a class, you won't be refunded for that day. You're encouraged to clear your schedule on the day of class for the entire 6-week course.

Once you sign up for the Three C's of Acting or Acting for Film, make sure you find and prepare a one-minute monologue (have it memorized and ready to perform for when the class starts). That will be the first thing we'll be working on in each class. If you're having trouble finding something, email me (actingwithoutthedrama -at- gmail -dot- com) for tips and places you can start looking.

I'm excited to work with you, so let's get started!