The William Esper Studio offers one of the most comprehensive training programs in the country for professional actors, and is considered the foremost studio dedicated to Meisner-based actor training.

PART TIME PROGRAM
The Two-year Part-Time Program consists of two 32-week sessions: Acting Technique I, and Acting Technique II. Payments for part-time students are due every month (8 classes). Optional supplementary classes can be added on a class-by-class basis, allowing each student to custom-build their own program.

FULL TIME PROGRAM
The Two-year Full Time Program consists of two 32-week sessions: Acting Technique I, and Acting Technique II, as well as various supplementary classes designed to accompany the Acting Technique classes. The minumum class requirement for full-time students is 18 hours per week. Payment for the Full-Time Program is broken down into three installments throughout the year.

CORE STUDENT PROGRAM
In addition to the acting technique class, students are required to take 4 hours of Movement and 3 hours of Voice & Speech per week, for a total of 13 hours of class time per week. Payment for the Core Student program is broken down into three installments throughout the year.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Each session begins in the third week of September and finishes at the end of the first week of June. Students in all programs vacation during the summer and then return in September for the second year. Admission to the second year is by invitation only.  

In addition the studio offers the opportunity to begin the training in January of each year. Students on this schedule begin in January and continue until the end of July. They vacation in August and return at the beginning of September to complete first year. They then continue immediately into their 2nd year the third week of September. Both schedules have identical course work and requirements for completion.

THE APPROACH
Work at the studio derives from William Esper's close association with Sanford Meisner, with whom he worked as a teacher and director for 17 years. For the past 25 years, Mr. Esper has also been a Full Professor and Head of the Professional Actor Training Programs at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Each acting class meets for three 3 to 3.5 hours twice each week. Students are expected to present work at each class. In addition, the Studio expects students to spend at least 4 to 8 hours in outside rehearsal with their partners.

6-WEEK SUMMER INTENSIVE

The 6-Week Summer Intensive is designed to introduce actors to the methods of training employed by the studio. For those students who continue into the Fall and Winter it provides a strong send-off into the Two Year Program. Acting classes in the Intensive meet 3 times a week for 3-3 1/2 hours. Supplementary classes are also offered in On Camera TV and Film Acting, Voice and Speech, Movement and Mask. These additional class offerings allow a student to create a full or part-time conservatory program that fits their schedules. This program begins mid June and runs 6 weeks. The program requires a full commitment from students. Students are not allowed to miss classes and must also commit to rehearsals between classes. There are classes that meet in the morning, afternoon and evening to accommodate work conflicts or other obligations the student might have. Once accepted, we will place you in a class that meets your schedule. There are several options of study: Part time: Acting class only which meets 3 times a week for 3-3 1/2 hours each class. Core: Acting class, Movement and Voice & Speech for a total of 16 hours. Full time: Acting class, Movement, Voice & Speech, Mask, *Intro to on Camera work and Accent Reduction (optional for foreign students). (22-24 hours per week) You may also choose to add any of the additional classes to your acting class however placement priority is given to core and full time students. *Due to limited spots the on Camera class is only available to full time students. Interviews begin in February. Please read about our requirements for admission.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Acting for Film - Summer Session 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester This comprehensive program has been designed to give each student specific tools to meet the demands of working on camera for film. The class will explore such issues as performance size, the difference between acting for theatre and film, hitting marks, close-ups, behavioral continuity, subtext and screenplay analysis - adding elements one at a time. All students will work each class on camera and evaluate their work on the monitor. Incorporating a cumulative, step by step approach, this class will give students the confidence and freedom to have a full and artistic experience within the framework of film. TEACHERS: Clark Middleton Acting for Film I 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester This comprehensive program has been designed to give each student specific tools to meet the demands of working on camera for film. The class will explore such issues as performance size, the difference between acting for theatre and film, hitting marks, close-ups, behavioral continuity, subtext and screenplay analysis - adding elements one at a time. All students will work each class on camera and evaluate their work on the monitor. Incorporating a cumulative, step by step approach, this class will give students the confidence and freedom to have a full and artistic experience within the framework of film. TEACHERS: Clark Middleton Acting for Film II 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester Continued practice before the camera. Dealing with close-ups and the realities of working on sit-coms and soap operas. TEACHERS: Clark Middleton Acting Technique I (First Year) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester The first year utilizes improvisational exercises and written texts to guide the actor to a full realization of self and the building of a truthful acting instrument. The class instills basic principles of good acting, stresses the actor's connection to his spontaneous impulses and fosters a sensitized connection to his fellow actors. TEACHERS: W. Esper, S. Esper, Knickerbocker, Rooks, Jackel, Chamberlain, Marchant, Newer Acting Technique II (Second Year) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Extends the work of Acting I into the area of advanced character work and interpretation. Students work with texts by major writers such as Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill, Sean O'Casey and Henrik Ibsen among others. Actors explore their interpretive powers without losing their authentic sense of self. TEACHERS: W. Esper, S. Esper, Knickerbocker, Marchant, Chamberlain, Newer Alexander - Summer Session 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester Performers require a finely tuned feedback system – they must approach their work with clarity -- efficiently coordinating vitality, inspiration and technique. Alexander Technique provides a dynamic process to observe and improve the quality of one’s use of the body -- without compromising connection to the moment. It helps performers streamline their approach. By learning to recognize and release mental and physical habits that interfere with presence and performance, the ability to choose freedom and coordination of the whole self increases. Actors learn that concentration, focus, and emotional presence do not require physical over-tension and rigidity. They are better able to breathe easily and support their sound. Freedom and coordination of the whole self nourishes and frees the imagination, thus performers become more open, spontaneous and responsive to what arises artistically. The technique is taught through language, movement and a unique, guiding touch. During this Summer class, students become aware of their individual movement tendencies in daily life as well as performance situations. They learn Alexander’s approach to releasing patterns that interfere with optimal physiological presence and functioning. TEACHERS: Judith Grodowitz Alexander 1 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Performers require a finely tuned feedback system – they must approach their work with clarity -- efficiently coordinating vitality, inspiration and technique. Alexander Technique provides a dynamic process to observe and improve the quality of one’s use of the body -- without compromising connection to the moment. It helps performers streamline their approach. By learning to recognize and release mental and physical habits that interfere with presence and performance, the ability to choose freedom and coordination of the whole self increases. Actors learn that concentration, focus, and emotional presence do not require physical over-tension and rigidity. They are better able to breathe easily and support their sound. Freedom and coordination of the whole self nourishes and frees the imagination, thus performers become more open, spontaneous and responsive to what arises artistically. The technique is taught through language, movement and a unique, guiding touch. All students receive individual, private instruction from the teacher throughout the semester, along with weekly participation in group class. In Level 1, students become aware of their individual movement tendencies in daily life as well as performance situations. They learn Alexander’s approach to releasing patterns that interfere with optimal physiological presence and functioning. TEACHERS: Judith Grodowitz and Anne Waxman Alexander 2 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester In Level 2, Alexander skills are developed and refined, with an increased application to acting challenges. TEACHERS: Judith Grodowitz and Anne Waxman Auditioning: Tools of the Trade (2nd year only, not open to actors not enrolled in the program) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester This workshop is designed to build professional level audition skills. This class features working agents, casting directors, and personal managers as guest teachers. TEACHERS: Jackel and guests Cold Reading 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 2 Weeks per Semester This course deals with the problem facing the actor when he must audition with material he is given on the spot. Class guides the actor in making quick and decisive choices. TEACHERS: Jackel Dialects 1.5 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Mask Workshop - Summer Session 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester This six-week summer workshop utilizes Balinese masks and Michael Chekhov's physical imagery work to connect the actor to his/her deepest non-intellectual, instinctive responses. TEACHERS: Brahe Mask Workshop I 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester This workshop utilizes Balinese masks and Michael Chekhov's physical imagery work to connect the actor to his/her deepest non-intellectual, instinctive responses. TEACHERS: Brahe Mask Workshop II 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester This workshop continues the work started in Mask workshop I TEACHERS: Brahe Monologue 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 4 Weeks per Semester This class is designed to help you make a monologue your own, so that it fits like a glove. Where to find a monologue, what makes it good textually, how to approach it from an “active” perspective, the materials and tools you need to build it, including actions, personal meanings, objective, connection with whom you are speaking; all of these elements will be covered in the workshop. Actors will have the opportunity to work on two to three monologues every class. The goal is to find and develop a monologue (or two!) that will get you an acting job. TEACHERS: David Newer Movement - Summer Session 2 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester Williamson Technique: Physical training for the organic actor. The summer session stresses physical freedom, emotional openness, and release. This work pinpoints and dissolves physical blocks in the body which inhibit the actor's ability to freely process his ongoing experience. Actors who have not trained at Esper Studio may apply (subject to interview). TEACHERS: Morin Movement Level I 2 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Williamson Technique: Physical training for the organic actor. Level 1 stresses physical freedom, emotional openness, and release. This work pinpoints and dissolves physical blocks in the body which inhibit the actor's ability to freely process his ongoing experience. TEACHERS: Morin Movement Level II 2 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Stresses alignment and physical characterization, and extends the work into the realm of period physicality. TEACHERS: Morin Movement Level III 2 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Level III of Williamson Movement - Students do extensive research of historical periods, in particular the unique physical behaviors of the Elizabethan, Victorian and Restoration periods. Script Analysis I (2nd year only, not open to actors not enrolled in the program) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester Taught by a working playwright, this class teaches actors how to read scripts and understand the author's intentions. Students gain a clear understanding of play and film script construction, as well as the ability to discern different genres and styles. TEACHERS: Ribalow Script Analysis II (2nd year only, not open to actors not enrolled in the program) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 8 Weeks per Semester Taught by a working playwright, this class teaches actors how to read scripts and understand the author's intentions. Students gain a clear understanding of play and film script construction, as well as the ability to discern different genres and styles. TEACHERS: Ribalow Shakespeare (Grads only, not open to actors not enrolled in the program) 3 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester Shakespeare Voice & Speech - Summer Session 1.5 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 6 Weeks per Semester Classes focus on the basics of good speech and voice production. Students learn to free their voices into vibrant, flexible instruments. They learn the phonetic alphabet in order to aid them in their mastery of American Standard speech, and the elimination of any regional or foreign accents. TEACHERS: Mayans, Fletcher Voice & Speech Level I 1.5 Hour(s) per Class, 2 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Classes focus on the basics of good speech and voice production. Students learn to free their voices into vibrant, flexible instruments. They learn the phonetic alphabet in order to aid them in their mastery of American Standard speech, and the elimination of any regional or foreign accents. TEACHERS: Mayans, Fletcher Voice & Speech Level II 3 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 2 Semester(s), 16 Weeks per Semester Continues the work dealt with in Voice and Speech I and extends the work into a concentration on classical texts including Shaw, Moliere and Shakespeare. TEACHERS: Mayans, Fletcher Voice and Speech Tutorials 0.5 Hour(s) per Class, 1 Class(es) per Week 1 Semester(s), 32 Weeks per Semester (Available to students taking Acting Technique I and II) One on one sessions which focus on the particular needs of the student in this area. Shorter durations of less than 32 weeks may be arranged. TEACHERS: Mayans, Fletcher