ABFF MASTERCLASS: Act It Out: Scene Exploration With Patrice Degraff Arenas

The American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent. An event like no other, the festival brings together enthusiasts of Black culture alongside industry executives and content creators from across the globe for five days filled with screenings, engaging talk events, exclusive parties, and invaluable networking opportunities.This year’s festival, will take place from June 11-15 in Miami Beach, followed by our online segment from June 16-24 on ABFF PLAY.

American Black Film Festival

Step into the world of dynamic storytelling and character development! Join us for an immersive session.

NYFA Miami (South Beach)

The American Black Film Festival (Miami Beach)

Now celebrating its 29th year, the American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent.

Camera! Speed! Action!This actor’s masterclass affords the participants to learn the art of scene study and moment to moment listening that leads to believable action. Students will learn the nuance of gesture, voice, and body language that deliver the best auditions.This class will teach the language, tools and winning techniques that help nail a scene. The participants will explore the physicality of acting and characterization which are essential for performance. Students will have a hands-on experience through pre-selected scenes that will give them the immersive experience of acting out roles from television and film scripts. The methods taught in this class are inspired by Adler, Hagen, Meisner and Chekov. About the Instructor:Patrice DeGraff ArenasPatrice DeGraff Arenas is a Miami, Florida native who holds a BFA in Theatre from Florida State University and MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Regional Theatre credits include: Skeleton Crew (Gablestage), Gidion’s Knot (New Theatre), The Tempest (New Theatre), In Darfur (Mosaic), The Rant (New Theatre) Working (Lyceum, San Diego, CA) Hair (Wadsworth, CA) A Most Happy Fella (Freud Playhouse, CA). Television and Film credits include: David Makes Man (Season 2, OWN) Un Pequeno Corte (PBS and HBO 2021), Ludi (Bantu Fi Films 2020) The Jacksons an American Dream. My love for the arts started early and was nurtured by my mother, an arts educator and administrator in MDCPS. My performance expertise has provided opportunities to nurture students through MDCPS as an Arts instructor, and Department Chair of Fine Arts before joining the faculty at NYFA Miami. Teaching highlights at NYFA Miami include: Voice/Speech I,II, Characterization and Movement, Acting for Film I-IV, and directing the Play Production Workshops (So Here We Are 2024, Jesus Hopped the A Train 2023, Circle Mirror Transformation 2023, Eurydice 2022 and Rashomon 2020). Last summer, teaching in ABFF's Masterclass series at NYFA Miami was exhilarating. It’s an honor to reprise “Act It Out” with the ABFF this June!

About the American Black Film FestivalNow celebrating its 29th year, the American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent. An event like no other, the festival brings together enthusiasts of Black culture alongside industry executives and content creators from across the globe for five days filled with screenings, engaging talk events, exclusive parties, and invaluable networking opportunities.

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