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New Date Announced for the Summer Acting Program
The Maggie Flanigan Studio announces that the summer acting program, which includes the Meisner Summer Intensive, will begin July 20, 2020.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, NY
APRIL 1, 2020
The Maggie Flanigan Studio (MFS) (https://www.maggieflaniganstudio.com) has announced it will begin interviewing for its prestigious Summer Acting Program beginning March 16th for the program that begins July 20th. This fast-paced actor training program condenses the first two months of the studioās two-year conservatory program into six weeks.
The intensive is unlike most summer acting programs, due to the full coursework it offers and highly trained instructors. The core of the Summer Acting Program is the studioās Meisner Summer Intensive training, with three acting classes; Acting 1 (Meisner), Voice 1, and Movement 1. Also included in this intensive are auxiliary classes, excellent for preparing for life as a professional actor. The full class load means actors are in training at the studio for an average of 20 to 30 hours per week. However, due to the accelerated learning, expectations are that students will practice additional hours outside of the classroom. The Summer Acting Program begins in early June and runs until the end of July.
Graduates of the program have found it changes the way they think about the craft. Sam Willett, a Meisner Intensive and Summer Acting graduate, says about the program, “After graduating college with a degree in theater, taking acting classes and working in NYC for a few years, I expected to be farther than I was. In the summer program, I learned that I need to take my time and actually work on my technique.”
Maggie Flanigan Studio is a celebrated actor training conservatory grounded in Meisner training. Meisner is one of the most respected acting techniques, going back decades to original founder and innovator Sanford Meisner. Discipline is integral to the practice, as actors build a foundation of skills and then scaffold up to a full repertoire of organic, authentic human emotions and responses. Considering it an art form, Meisner felt acting demands excellence and years and years of formal training. Otherwise, actors will not be capable of āacting truthfully under imaginary circumstances,ā the goal in Meisnerās work. The Summer Acting Program is an in-depth introduction to the technique. Students begin work exercises, many of them preserved in their original form as passed down from Sanford Meisner. These practices strip the actor of their reliance on words and language, forcing them to become aware of emotional underpinnings instead. The work progresses from that point and ends with scene study work.
The core acting classes in the summer intensive will be taught by studio Director and Head of Acting Charlie Sandlan. As a teacher, Sandlan strikes a balance between being caring and empathetic and placing students under pressure to learn all that they can about themselves and human nature and creating an open channel, what he calls the actorās instrument. According to Sandlan the process requires intense discipline. āIn our summer intensive, you can get a sense of what real professional actor training is, what it means to be a real artist, and what it means to begin to ground yourself in important fundamentals,ā says Sandlan. The acting track includes Meisner Acting 1, Voice 1, and Movement 1, all integral to beginning work as a Meisner actor. Auxiliary classes include On Camera, Commercial Acting 1, Mask & Character, Playwriting, Nutrition, and Reiki for Actors.
While this is an introduction to Meisner, the program is designed for serious actors with experience, who are committed to pursuing mastery of the art form. The accelerated pace suits enrollees who are BA or BFA degree holders from universities or acting conservatories. Itās also appropriate for international students who desire an introduction to the Meisner technique. Working actors who have already trained find that it helps sharpen their skills and deepen their focus. Many dramatic arts majors or experienced actors find that they still have gaps in their training.
Actor Sara Kohler says the summer intensive experience changed her limited understanding of acting and training. āI was trying to step into these characters in my scene studies classes and found I had no idea how to step into a character, I had no technique.ā She adds, āWith the Meisner technique you really start to understand what itās like to craft, develop a character and circumstance and live through something.ā
Apply Today for the Meisner Summer Acting Program
Because Maggie Flanigan Studio training is personal and intense, instructors are trained to build safe spaces and a supportive community. For this reason, all potential enrollees interview with Director Charlie Sandlan first, to ensure that the actorās goals align with the program. Any interested actor can schedule an interview by visiting maggieflanigan.com or they can call the studio for more information at (917) 794-3878.
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan. Ā I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”
āMaggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.ā
āMaggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.ā
“Maggie Flanigan is uncompromising, her instincts as a teacher are razor sharp. She doesnāt miss a beatā
āMaggie Flanigan has been one of the most important people in my artistic life. I want to work with Maggie trained actors. As an actor myself, she is my first source. I do not say this lightly, if you are serious about acting, and willing to work very hard, then go to Maggie.ā
āMaggie helped me find my sense of truth, an actors greatest asset. Maggie is an expert at instilling that vital ingredient, which allows an actor’s potential to become limitless. My work will forever be rooted in the clarity and honesty she helped me develop.ā
āAfter working for ten years, I did the 2 year program, and now feel that I have the tools I need to become the actor Iāve always dreamed of being. Maggie Flanigan instilled in me a clear sense of truth and a standard of perfection. I am a better actor because of this studio.ā
āAs an actor, the core of what you have to rely on is your sense of truth and humanity. Maggie allowed me to discover and embrace mine. Trusting my sense of humanity and truth has given me the ability to take risks in my work and my career decisions.ā
āMaggie Flanigan has the unique ability to get an actor to the essence of what is true in a moment. She creates a safe and caring environment in which to work.ā
āMaggie Flanigan introduced me to my own spirit and my own sense of Truth. Her passion for teaching and ability to communicate are rare gifts to any actor looking for a technique to set his or her talent free. Maggieās voice has been the one constant guide in my career.ā