Adult/Teen Acting Classes

The Thursday Adult/Teen Acting Classes taught by Vaughn Taylor are divided into 5, 6 or 8 week sessions depending on the time of year. Each 5-week, 6-week or 8-week session has a different focus and no material is repeated.

If you would like more information, please call (210) 557-1187.

Following are examples of the material covered in a session:

AUDITIONING – This is not a superficial class going over how to “slate your name” or “hit your mark.” These sessions focus on teaching you the professional way to break down scripts so you can make choices that create the character and the reality of their world. More people lose opportunities because they try to make a character comfortable to the actor instead of learning how to make the correct character choices in the audition process. We also cover techniques that allow the actor to pull the words off the page and not be tied to the audition sides. All the work is taped with a revue at the end of each class.

CHARACTER – People are driven by goals, feelings and desires but most inexperienced actors try to create character by how they say a line.  Character is created by allowing the character to experience the feeling created by preceding moments, to act through the intentions necessary to pursue their goals and to react to actions taken by other characters in a way that is consistent with their character. When you learn how to work organically and make the correct choices you allow the people you’re auditioning for, or the audience, to experience the character’s world–instead of watching actors. An inexperienced actor can say lines truthfully and motivate them, and still have it be a lie from the character’s perspective. You’ll be amazed at how powerful you can be when you make the right choices. All the work is done on-camera with a revue at the end of each class.

ACTING ON FILM – When you’re on stage you can indicate to a certain degree because you have to “play to the back row”.  You can’t do that on-camera because the lens will catch you in the lie and amplify it in the close-ups.  You cannot cheat or indicate in a close up! The camera requires that you be more committed to the character’s truth you portray in your performance or audition while at the same time the physical reality and size of the performance needs to be smaller so you’re not seen as “over acting.” There is a lot of one-on-one work to help you understand the process you need to apply to film work. All the classes are taped with a revue at the end of each class.

PRODUCTION CLASS – This class focuses on a live production or showcase at the end of the session. The class is designed to bring a greater amount of freedom into your work. The freedom you develop through exercises and exploring different methods for choosing intentions is very beneficial for working on camera, especially when the character doesn’t come naturally to your personality. We rehearse the scenes during class and there is a lot of one-on-one coaching to help students grow in their individual acting technique. Two-person and multi-character scenes are cast out of the class.