Schools for Acting Directing Workshop , New York CIty

Directing I

Cost: $500
Term: 8 weeks

Limited to 10 students.

The Directing I class is intended for new and inexperienced stage and/or film directors who seek to learn how to develop story structure and to communicate with actors by working with a seasoned director, Studio associate director John Grabowski. (Note: This is not a film class.) The class will acquaint students in the detailed work a director does before beginning rehearsals and continues with a step-by-step examination of the rehearsal process. Upon completion of this class, students are offered an opportunity to enroll in Directing II and direct a one-act play with Chelsea Repertory Company at the Studio. Filmmakers are often drawn to this class because it helps them understand how to analyze dramatic texts and how to better communicate with actors.The Directing I class offers directors the opportunities to:

Gain experience in analyzing a play
Learn to make spatial and conceptual decisions
Work with actors with that conceptual base in mind
Observe the actor's process in Studio acting classes

Text Analysis:
Concentrates on dramatic form. A series of plays of varying styles is discussed and analyzed. The director is encouraged to see each play as a sequence of events that is dynamic and in-motion. As the director comes to understand the significance of the events which comprise the play, he/she arrives at a conceptual understanding of the play that is rooted in the play's dramatic structure.

Staging and Composition:
Focuses on stage configurations and composition problems. Each director begins work on a scene from a play and begins to translate his/her ideas about the play into potential stage action. Various methods of working with the actor in the rehearsal process are also discussed here.

Directing I is in-person instruction.

Student testimonials...

"I took John Grabowski's Directing Class and it was fantastic! John is very thorough in his approach and the homework is designed to give you a real-world experience of formalized directing technique. This is a great course for the director who wants to understand script analysis and how to approach actors." Kim S, New Rochelle

"John Grabowski is an amazing teacher who ais dedicated, meticulous and provides honest and in-depth critiques of our work." - Carmen Balentine

"John Grabowski is one of the best teachers/coaches in New York and possibly in the business. He is also a phenomenal director who I've been fortunate enough to work with in several plays." - Ravin Patterson working actor, writer, composer

Upon successful completion of this class students may qualify to advance to the Directing 2 level of the program.

Scheduled Sessions for:

Directing I

Session:	Term	Instructor	Day	Hours	Begins	Fee	Status
Winter 2025	8 Wks	Grabowski	Sun	12:00-4:00 PM	Jan 26, 2025	$500	open
Spring 2025	8 Wks	Grabowski	Sun	12:00-4:00 PM	Apr 13, 2025	$500	open
Summer 2025	8 wks	Grabowski	Sun	12:00-4:00 PM	Jun 29, 2025	$500	open
Fall 2025	8 Wks	Grabowski	Sun	12:00-4:00 PM	Oct 5, 2025	$500	open

Testimonials

The amount of value I have received (from day one!!!) will serve me throughout my entire career. It’s really hard for creatives to find a community especially one that makes you better! The Acting Studio is one you can trust.

— Julia Sjakovs
Having trained in New York at both The Acting Studio and The William Esper Studio, it was abundantly clear within a matter of minutes that The Acting Studio delivered above and beyond on every level. James Price who is the Studio Director at The Acting Studio, is every beginners (and indeed accomplished) actors hero. He is without a doubt, the most emotionally intuitive, charged and lively of any Meisner teacher you’ll ever hope to be training under. I left his class hungry for more, stronger than ever and 100% certain that after his training, success can only follow. When that Oscar win comes in, I know exactly whom I’ll be thanking. James Price, you are my hero.

— Loretta Bogard
I have read every book on acting and taken classes at other studios which lead me to think I had a good understanding of the craft. Then I went through the program at The Acting Studio - New York and learned the truer meaning of craft. The intimate classes, the knowledge of the faculty, and professionalism has influenced my life in every way. Thank you for setting the bar and guiding the students to rise to the level. - Peter Evangelista, 2010 Studio graduate - working actor

— Peter Evangelista
The class i would have to say was a life experience. It built a foundation of acting skills that I can use in just about all walks of life. For up incoming actors, I highly recommend this class.

James Price the professor was an amazing instructor. His methods of teaching are like a mad scientist at work. No matter what he pushes you to get the best acting out of who ever he instructs.

I am so glad I took this class.

— David Valencia
Halfway into their 10-week Introduction to Meisner class I was hooked and seriously thinking about acting as a career. I finished their full acting program one year ago and am still involved with The Acting Studio community, still working, learning, and growing. James Price and John Grabowski are the best teachers and mentors a serious actor could get, and the rest of the faculty is excellent as well.

— Rosa Rodriguez-graduate 2010
James Price is without question one of the greatest acting coaches - fostering, nurturing, and challenging each and every student while uniquely ferreting out their strengths and weaknesses, and enhancing them in a way that allowed virtually everyone to come out of the class as better actors, technicians, and people as well.

— Jeff Ashkenes

Directing I

Directing I

Testimonials

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