Classes & Events for Adults
ACTOR REEL SHOOT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
JUN 22 - 23 CHRISTY IS DIRECTING 1. Scripts written specifically for you, based on the types of roles and projects that you want to be seen in. 2. The opportunity to act in scenes directed by Christy English, owner & founder of the Bay Area Acting Studio. 3. An edited copy of your scene. |
- You will get call times during the weekend and will NOT need to be there the whole weekend.
- Each actor will get scenes professionally shot and edited!
- We've hired a professional director of photography with state of the art equipment
See Highlights from previous Actor Reel Shoots HERE >
Some helpful articles on why a PROFESSIONALLY shot reel is important:
Some helpful articles on why a PROFESSIONALLY shot reel is important:
In this beginning class, actors will learn the foundations of the Meisner Technique of acting and apply it toward: on-camera acting, prepping for auditions, nailing the comedy and/or drama of a scene, working on commercials, and much more!
This class presents actors with MANY opportunities to get on their feet and apply their training in practical ways. Students will finish this course as more well-rounded actors (who can possibly graduate into an intermediate-level class!).
The Meisner Technique builds confidence and empowers actors to be more truthful in their scenes and characters. Rather than faking or pretending to feel emotions, our actors learn to work through self-consciousness, get grounded in their scenes, and truly be affected by their scene partners moment-to-moment.
Our classes are fun and they empower students to be more open, authentic, and confident performers. Our studios are safe environments; no judgment, no competition, and no pressure.
This class presents actors with MANY opportunities to get on their feet and apply their training in practical ways. Students will finish this course as more well-rounded actors (who can possibly graduate into an intermediate-level class!).
The Meisner Technique builds confidence and empowers actors to be more truthful in their scenes and characters. Rather than faking or pretending to feel emotions, our actors learn to work through self-consciousness, get grounded in their scenes, and truly be affected by their scene partners moment-to-moment.
Our classes are fun and they empower students to be more open, authentic, and confident performers. Our studios are safe environments; no judgment, no competition, and no pressure.
The Meisner Technique, named after its creator Sanford Meisner, was developed as a way to teach actors to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances” using a series of foundational exercises that build one upon the other. Through his experience of creating and teaching this series of interrelated exercises, Meisner developed a technique that provides a proven and reliable framework to help actors “get out of their heads” and focus their attention on the core elements needed to act honestly and genuinely.
Students who master the exercises learn how to stay in the moment, become less self-conscious, and let go of the need to control. The technique provides them with a solid foundation that allows them to be fully present in the moment, which gives them the freedom and confidence to express themselves truthfully while “playing” in the imaginary circumstance.
Actors are taught how to access their emotions authentically without manipulation or imitation. With the Meisner Technique, actors develop an intuitive, keen awareness of “who they are” emotionally and physically which allows them to utilize these aspects effectively and instinctively. They learn to connect quickly and deeply to scene partners as well as to their imaginary circumstance. In this way, the work takes on the natural qualities of real life as it is expressed through art. The actor learns to replace “acting” and imitation with genuinely deep and truthful connection.
Our New Meisner Classes start at the Beginner level, and as the class progresses, will move into the Intermediate and then Advanced stages.
See below for details:
Beginning
In the beginning class, students focus on learning the fundamentals of the technique as Sanford Meisner taught them. These foundational exercises include: the repetition exercise, independent activities and emotional preparation.
Intermediate
In the intermediate class, the student continues to practice and expand the exercises introduced in the Beginning Class and then is shown how to expand these skills into scene work and “Spoon River” exercises -- another powerful tool developed by Sanford Meisner. In this phase of the training, the actor discovers how to personalize scene material and be more specific in their choices while laying the foundation for emotional layering and character work.
Advanced
In the Advanced Class, students continue to hone their skills with the repetition exercise, independent activities, emotional preparation, and Spoon Rivers with the additional focus of learning how to apply the various exercises to character work, scene analysis, emotional layering and performance. It is here that the various aspects of the tools and exercises learned in earlier classes are joined together to help the actor become increasingly adept at making specific and personal choices in their work, whether it is for film, television or the stage.
Students who master the exercises learn how to stay in the moment, become less self-conscious, and let go of the need to control. The technique provides them with a solid foundation that allows them to be fully present in the moment, which gives them the freedom and confidence to express themselves truthfully while “playing” in the imaginary circumstance.
Actors are taught how to access their emotions authentically without manipulation or imitation. With the Meisner Technique, actors develop an intuitive, keen awareness of “who they are” emotionally and physically which allows them to utilize these aspects effectively and instinctively. They learn to connect quickly and deeply to scene partners as well as to their imaginary circumstance. In this way, the work takes on the natural qualities of real life as it is expressed through art. The actor learns to replace “acting” and imitation with genuinely deep and truthful connection.
Our New Meisner Classes start at the Beginner level, and as the class progresses, will move into the Intermediate and then Advanced stages.
See below for details:
Beginning
In the beginning class, students focus on learning the fundamentals of the technique as Sanford Meisner taught them. These foundational exercises include: the repetition exercise, independent activities and emotional preparation.
Intermediate
In the intermediate class, the student continues to practice and expand the exercises introduced in the Beginning Class and then is shown how to expand these skills into scene work and “Spoon River” exercises -- another powerful tool developed by Sanford Meisner. In this phase of the training, the actor discovers how to personalize scene material and be more specific in their choices while laying the foundation for emotional layering and character work.
Advanced
In the Advanced Class, students continue to hone their skills with the repetition exercise, independent activities, emotional preparation, and Spoon Rivers with the additional focus of learning how to apply the various exercises to character work, scene analysis, emotional layering and performance. It is here that the various aspects of the tools and exercises learned in earlier classes are joined together to help the actor become increasingly adept at making specific and personal choices in their work, whether it is for film, television or the stage.
ABOUT RIA PAVIA:
Ria Pavia is a director, producer, writer and acting coach. Her film directorial debut, Second Team, nabbed 16 awards at various prestigious festivals, wrapping up at Cannes last year. Her career in the entertainment industry launched with performing gymnastics in a commercial in the ‘80s. This stint propelled her into acting in TV commercials, guest spots, and film roles. Back in the day, she recurred on Who’s the Boss, The Hughley’s, and the soap opera Santa Barbara.
In the theatre world, Pavia has collaborated with Noah Wyle, Jennifer Aniston and Mark Ruffalo; directing over 45 plays and musicals. She is in her 6th season as Acting Coach on Freeform’s Grownish and recently directed her first music video in partnership with TikTok and Apple. Earlier this year, she also served as Acting Coach on the latest installment of the Disney Descendants franchise, coming soon! She’s been touted as The Cast Whisperer and vows her favorite gig remains setting actors up for success through private coaching sessions via Zoom and in person.
Pavia attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school as a Theatre Major, studied under the late great Sanford Meisner in the West Indies, and finished up at UCLA focusing on Theatre, TV & Film. Her most rigorous training revolves around the title of Mother to Adrianna (22 years old) and Dominic & Rocco (19 year old twins).
Please email us at info@bayareaacting.com to confirm Private Coaching availability.
Ria Pavia is a director, producer, writer and acting coach. Her film directorial debut, Second Team, nabbed 16 awards at various prestigious festivals, wrapping up at Cannes last year. Her career in the entertainment industry launched with performing gymnastics in a commercial in the ‘80s. This stint propelled her into acting in TV commercials, guest spots, and film roles. Back in the day, she recurred on Who’s the Boss, The Hughley’s, and the soap opera Santa Barbara.
In the theatre world, Pavia has collaborated with Noah Wyle, Jennifer Aniston and Mark Ruffalo; directing over 45 plays and musicals. She is in her 6th season as Acting Coach on Freeform’s Grownish and recently directed her first music video in partnership with TikTok and Apple. Earlier this year, she also served as Acting Coach on the latest installment of the Disney Descendants franchise, coming soon! She’s been touted as The Cast Whisperer and vows her favorite gig remains setting actors up for success through private coaching sessions via Zoom and in person.
Pavia attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school as a Theatre Major, studied under the late great Sanford Meisner in the West Indies, and finished up at UCLA focusing on Theatre, TV & Film. Her most rigorous training revolves around the title of Mother to Adrianna (22 years old) and Dominic & Rocco (19 year old twins).
Please email us at info@bayareaacting.com to confirm Private Coaching availability.
ABOUT ESTELLA GABRIEL:
Estella is passionate about storytelling. She has over 20 years of experience as an actress. Some of her acting credits include “Southland” on TNT, “Bones” on FOX, “The Young and the Restless” on CBS.
Estella is also an award-winning screenwriter, she creates transformative female lead characters set in powerful, controversial, and relevant worlds. Overall, her scripts have placed in a dozen screenwriting competitions.
Here are some that are noteworthy:
Her TV pilot, “AMERICANA” (formerly ICE) was the recipient of the Showtime Tony Cox Award - TV 1 Hour. Her feature film, “GRINGAS”, was a finalist in the 2022 Black List Lab. Her TV pilot, “Lady of the Lake,” was on the prestigious “Coverfly RED LIST” and was ranked #18 out of over 7,000 sci-fi scripts. Her TV pilot, ORO, was selected for the 2nd round for the Sundance Episodic Lab and was 1 of 30 out of 8,627 submissions deemed worthy of sending to AMC for consideration by the Austin Film Festival. Estella has also produced and acted in her own work as well.
During a break from acting and screenwriting, Estella was the founder of a social streaming platform, 10 Block - A TV guide for the social media generation with a patent pending - that was sold in 2020. 10 Block was venture-backed by Mogility Capital and advised by entertainment industry leaders with backgrounds at Universal Studios/NBCU, DreamWorks Animation, Disney, and Paramount Studios. In 2019, SXSW named 10 Block a top-10 cutting-edge product. 10 Block had evolved from a short-form streaming platform with social aspects to a universal discovery tool, allowing viewers to make playlists, review, and discuss content across all television platforms.
Please email us at info@bayareaacting.com to confirm Private Coaching availability.
Estella is passionate about storytelling. She has over 20 years of experience as an actress. Some of her acting credits include “Southland” on TNT, “Bones” on FOX, “The Young and the Restless” on CBS.
Estella is also an award-winning screenwriter, she creates transformative female lead characters set in powerful, controversial, and relevant worlds. Overall, her scripts have placed in a dozen screenwriting competitions.
Here are some that are noteworthy:
Her TV pilot, “AMERICANA” (formerly ICE) was the recipient of the Showtime Tony Cox Award - TV 1 Hour. Her feature film, “GRINGAS”, was a finalist in the 2022 Black List Lab. Her TV pilot, “Lady of the Lake,” was on the prestigious “Coverfly RED LIST” and was ranked #18 out of over 7,000 sci-fi scripts. Her TV pilot, ORO, was selected for the 2nd round for the Sundance Episodic Lab and was 1 of 30 out of 8,627 submissions deemed worthy of sending to AMC for consideration by the Austin Film Festival. Estella has also produced and acted in her own work as well.
During a break from acting and screenwriting, Estella was the founder of a social streaming platform, 10 Block - A TV guide for the social media generation with a patent pending - that was sold in 2020. 10 Block was venture-backed by Mogility Capital and advised by entertainment industry leaders with backgrounds at Universal Studios/NBCU, DreamWorks Animation, Disney, and Paramount Studios. In 2019, SXSW named 10 Block a top-10 cutting-edge product. 10 Block had evolved from a short-form streaming platform with social aspects to a universal discovery tool, allowing viewers to make playlists, review, and discuss content across all television platforms.
Please email us at info@bayareaacting.com to confirm Private Coaching availability.
LA's TOP Auditioning Coach, ANNIE GRINDLAY
is Returning to BAAS for THE AUDITION EXPERIENCE
ADULT Workshop (18yrs & older)
TEENS Workshop (13 - 17yrs)
Registration now closed. NEXT CLASS TBA
Annie Grindlay, one of the top audition coaches in Los Angeles, is returning to Bay Area Acting Studio to teach her "Audition Experience" class!
Annie trains her actors to carve out moments, use the page, and to experience truthful moments in auditions. During this hands-on workshop, you will be given sides to work on with Annie. Annie has an extensive list of FILM/TV actors who study with her regularly.
This program will allow you to train and hone your acting and AUDITIONING skills with Annie.
Her guidance has helped many actors on their way to groundbreaking careers:
Rami Malek (Oscar Winner), Jaina Lee Ortiz (LEAD Series Regular on STATION 19), Masi Oka (Heroes), Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights), Crista Flanagan (Hank) and Garret Wang (Star Trek Voyager) and these are just a few of the actors she has worked with!
Annie teaches actors
to take ownership of the material by examining 3 basic areas:
1. "The Stated" (aka the lines). This is where actors spend 85 % of their prep time. Huge mistake! By the time you get in the room, they have heard these lines a hundred times.
2. "The Unstated" (aka the pauses). This is where your creativity truly stands out. You need to create a life, a thought process, that links your words together. So often when I put 12 actors on tape for the same role, what they are "not saying" is the most compelling and interesting part.
3. The physical life. Too often, the actor feels restricted physically in the audition room. Even if you have to sit in a chair, there is a lot you can do to tell the story with your whole being. Tell the truth, live the life, and your body will respond.
Read More >
Please review our POLICIES page before registering.
To view the dates and prices of our scheduled upcoming classes, click on ENROLL or go to UPCOMING SCHEDULE^
**When enrolling for classes, please use a valid email as our instructors use these email addresses to send important updates regarding classes**
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To view the dates and prices of our scheduled upcoming classes, click on ENROLL or go to UPCOMING SCHEDULE^
**When enrolling for classes, please use a valid email as our instructors use these email addresses to send important updates regarding classes**
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Disclaimer: Bay Area Acting Studio conducts entirely optional workshops with solely educational intent. Our workshops are not job interviews or auditions and the presence of a Casting Director, Associate, Assistant or any other industry professional is neither a promise nor guarantee of employment. Contact with an industry professional solely through a workshop in and of itself does not result in a contract with the guest or the company they represent. Workshops and Showcases are not auditions for employment or for obtaining a talent agent or talent manager. Labor code: 1703.1(b).