Class Schedule

All classes are conducted in-person at the Actors Bridge Studio.
We are a mask-friendly space.


Read our full COVID Safety Protocols.

The Meisner Technique Series 

Created by Sanford Meisner of New York’s influential Group Theatre and the Neighborhood Playhouse, the Meisner Technique creates truthful, emotionally-connected actors. Meisner-trained actors include Steve McQueen, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Allison Janey, Dylan McDermott, and Connie Britton.

The Meisner Technique gets you out of your head and into the moment. We take students through a step-by-step approach to the Meisner Technique giving them a strong foundation in being emotionally available, truthfully responsive actors.

Whether you are an actor interested in deepening your craft or someone looking for greater confidence, spontaneity, imagination, and intuition in your everyday life, the Meisner Technique can help you on your journey.

All students begin at Level One regardless of previous acting experience because the technique is designed to carry students through a very specific set of exercises that build on one another across six levels of study.

Below is a listing of our current classes. Read student feedback about studying at Actors Bridge.

Level 1

Taught by Vali Forrister

This acting class will give students a strong understanding of the foundational exercises of the Meisner Technique. Using Meisner’s foundational exercises of Repetition and the Independent Activity, Level One students will: 

  • Develop the ability to be in the present moment with a scene partner, 
  • Learn to effectively read human behavior, assign meaning that is personally significant to that behavior, 
  • Recognize their organic impulses to stimuli, 
  • More deeply trust their intuition, and act upon those impulses and intuition in the immediacy of the moment.
  • Rehearse at least one-hour outside of class with a partner in between each session.

All new students begin at Level One regardless of experience.

This is a 6-week course.
No memorization is required. Outside study with a partner each week is required.
No prerequisites.

Mondays,
January 16 – February 20
6:30-8 p.m.

Register Meisner L1

Level 2

This acting class applies the skills built in Level One to scriptwork. Students will:

  • Work with a partner on a scene chosen by our Meisner instructors. 
  • Learn to memorize in the Meisner way.
  • Deepen their “actors faith” and ability to believe their imaginary circumstances.
  • Gain an awareness of “public solitude” and how to build it.
  • Discover how to authentically embody a character’s point of view and create believable relationships.
  • Rehearse at least one-hour outside of class with a partner in between each session.

This is a 6-week course.

Memorization and outside study required.

Prerequisite: Level 1

Mondays, March 13-April 24

(no class on April 10 due to TECH rehearsals for HEAVY)

6:30-8 p.m.

$325

Register Meisner L2

Level 3

Taught by CJ Tucker

This acting class uses monologue work to introduce Meisner’s concept of Emotional Preparation. Using THE SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY by Edgar Lee Masters, students will:

  • Apply all the skills built in Levels 1 and 2 to monologue work. 
  • Gain practical experience with Meisner’s concept of Emotional Preparation.
  • Learn to analyze text and make the language your own.
  • Memorize 2 monologues using the Meisner method.

This is a 6-week course.
Memorization and outside study required.
Prerequisite: Level 1, Level 2


Wednesdays
January 18 – February 22
6:30-8 p.m.

$325

Register Meisner L3

Level 4

Taught by Vali Forrister

In this acting class, we return to improvisation with the Domestic Exercise where students will:

  • Gain experience with Meisner’s Coming Home exercises.
  • Explore the nuances in building authentic relationships.
  • Discover how to raise the emotional stakes and embody them in character.
  • Deepen character work through point of view.
  • Harness personal powers of instinct under imaginary circumstances.
  • Rehearse at least one-hour outside of class with a partner in between each session.

This is a 5-week course.
Memorization and outside study required.
Prerequisite: Levels 1, 2, 3.

Tuesdays
January 10 – February 7
6:30-8 p.m.

$300

Register Meisner L4

Level 5

Taught by Vali Forrister

This acting class is a return to scene work using more advanced material. Applying the skills developed in Levels 1-4, students will:

  • Deepen their abilities to create believable characters.
  • Develop a more in-depth analysis of character and dramatic text.
  • Create rich inner life for each character they play.
  • Rehearse at least one-hour outside of class with a partner in between each session. 
  • Perform before a public audience in a culminating Scene Showcase.

In this level, we apply all of Meisner’s methods to advanced scene work. Actors confront challenges associated with performance. Students develop the ability to apply personal interpretations to the text and build appropriate characters through attention to culture, period, language, and physical adjustments.The class culminates in a public showcase.

This is a 6-week course.
Memorization required. Weekly in-person rehearsal with a partner outside of class required.
Prerequisite: Levels 1, 2, 3. 4.

Tuesdays,
February 21 – March 28
6:30-8 p.m.
$325

Register Meisner L5

Level 6

Taught by Vali Forrister

In this course we will practice creating specific impediments (aches, pains, injuries, diagnoses) and learn how to sustain them while maintaining the ability to play out the moment-to-moment improvisation with your partner.
Pre-requisites: Levels 1-5.

This is a 6-week course. No class April 10 due to tech rehearsal for HEAVY.
Memorization required. Weekly in-person rehearsal with a partner outside of class required.
Prerequisite: Levels 1-5.

Tuesdays,
April 4- May 16
6:30-8 p.m.
$325

Register Meisner L6

Meisner Levels 1-6

Our first Meisner class begins by teaching you basic concepts and encouraging your instinct and our sixth is for advanced students, with an emphasis on individual performance and longer scenes.

Acting for the Camera

By the end of this class, students should feel confident enough to book an on-camera acting job and begin working on-set like an experienced pro. Join us and find your on-camera potential!