OUR CLASSES

SUMMER ACTING PROGRAM

The Meisner Six-Week Summer Intensive is the perfect opportunity for anyone curious about the Meisner Technique and looking to discover what a serious professional acting program can be. Our NYC summer acting conservatory will challenge and inspire anyone interested in pursuing an artistic life.

The Six Week Summer Intensive is an 18-class program that provides students the opportunity to get the beginning third of Meisner’s first year of Meisner Technique training. Summer acting intensives are ubiquitous in NYC. What distinguishes the Maggie Flanigan Studio is our belief that a brief summer course can actually teach and provide something of value. A great deal can be gained with six weeks of hard, dedicated work. Our summer session approaches the class with the same high standards expected of our conservatory students. Twelve classes are dedicated to establishing a better understanding of the fundamentals, while also teaching our students the importance of simple, specific, and personal crafting. The last two weeks will be spent applying this work to scenes. Although six weeks is an incredibly short time, we will still challenge our students to discover the freedom and originality that comes from truly breaking free from the issues that plague untrained, hack actors: adjusting to the text, general crafting, waiting for cues, line readings, and an inability to listen or work in a free and spontaneous way.

It is important to understand, however, that one cannot become a fully trained actor and artist in six weeks. It is not possible. Those that say otherwise are either lying or incredibly misinformed. We approach our summer acting class dedicated to inspiring and teaching students the beauty of the art form and the importance of pursuing serious training. Our six-week summer intensive is a tremendous introduction for students contemplating a commitment to craft and artistry. Choosing the best professional actor training is the most important decision an aspiring actor can make. What is the Meisner Technique? Is the program serious? Does the studio accept anyone that walks in the door? Do they have standards? Will I be in class with other students as committed as I am? Does the place feel like a factory? Are their teachers just frustrated actors? Our Summer Meisner Intensive will answer these questions. This is why many of our summer students continue on into the two-year program. These students get the chance to do the first third of the first year again, and often, their growth happens in a far deeper and more substantial way.

The summer acting program was created to provide currently enrolled, or those who have completed their undergraduate degree with an understanding of the real professional training necessary to be a serious actor and artist. Most undergraduates understand they still don’t yet possess the craft and technique necessary. This ultimately requires 2-3 years of immersive training. In our Meisner Summer Intensive, the student-actor will come away knowing what professional actor training is, why the Meisner Technique is the healthiest, most creative way to train organic actors.

Summer Session is also a good refresher course for trained actors, or those looking for a serious place to train but want to get a taste of the work first, before committing to a two-year program. Many actors who live internationally also have found our Meisner Summer Intensive as a fantastic way to come to NYC for a few months without the pressure of obtaining an M1 Student Visa. It’s an incredible opportunity to visit one of the greatest cities in the world, while also adding to your artistic growth and development.

Our full Summer Acting Conservatory also includes a range of auxiliary classes that students can add to their class load for a more well-rounded conservatory semester. These classes include Intro to Movement, Intro to Voice, Intro to Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Intro to Alexander Technique, Intro to Playwriting, and Mask and Character.

CHARLIE SANDLAN

Charlie’s unique relationship with Maggie Flanigan began over twenty-five years ago. He received his MFA in acting from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School Of The Arts where Maggie and Bill Esper trained him in the Meisner Technique. Over the past 30 years Charlie has also studied and collaborated with many artists including Ben Kingsley, Fiona Shaw, Mark Wing-Davey, and Ellen Stewart.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

“Studying at Maggie Flanigan re-injects the ambition that real acting truly involves, because the quality of work demanded cannot be falsified. What’s demanded of you is presence, and an honest aspiration to free yourself.”

Marco Bettencourt Urbina

Soli Partovi

“I attended the MFS summer intensive because I wanted to be a better actor. In every class, my limits were pushed. The level of commitment that is expected from you is nothing short of 100%. Charlie has a complete domain of the craft.”

Marco Bettencourt Urbina

Gibran García

“Maggie Flanigan Studio is a transformational experience! You walk into this training intensive as one person and walk out an improved one. If you are willing to take yourself seriously as an artist this is a good place to do that.”

Marco Bettencourt Urbina

Nicole Almanzar