Acting Workshop with Melanie Smith

Acting Workshop with Melanie Smith

Good acting training dictates that we must first feel safe and comfortable

expressing in our own bodies before we can express in the “body” of the

character. Once this occurs, we can move into learning how to speak with clarity

and power, interact with other actors, and then move onto acting technique and

scenework. This workshop is designed for both those who have never acted

before and those who have.

The Acting Workshop is Divided Into Five Parts

1. Relaxation & Focus: You will be guided through exercises that allow you

to relax and release negative thoughts and emotions so that you can be

present and focused in the now.

2. Vocal Production: You will begin with abdominal or diaphragmatic

breathing, and then lift that breath-supported voice into greater volume

or projection. You’ll next work on the range of your voice with an

exercise that expands your pitch, and finish with a short reading that

demonstrates articulation/enunciation.

3. Theatre Game: You’ll participate in a fun theatre game called “Mirrors”

that helps you enhance concentration and begin working with other

actors.

4. Acting Technique: You will be introduced to the famous acting technique

that’s been the standard in the field since the 1950’s — the Stanislavski

System. This technique is summed up in the phrase “The Magic If,”

which asks the question “What would I do if I were in the situation the

character is in?”

5. Scenework: The workshop will end with the performance of one short

scene that demonstrates the most important components of “The Magic

If.”

Length of Workshop: 4 hours with an additional 10 minute break in the middle.

Cost: $100—payable in cash, check or Venmo.

If you have any questions about the Acting Workshop, please text me at (818) 458-

6618. If you’d like to leave a voice message, please text me and tell me you

have left one!