Created by Sanford Meisner of New York Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater, the Meisner Technique creates truthful, emotionally-connected actors. Meisner-trained actors include Gregory Peck, Steve McQueen, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Allison Janey, Dylan McDermott, and Chadwick Boseman.
The Meisner Technique gets you out of your head and into the moment. Using a brick-by-brick process, Meisner gives actors a strong foundation in being emotionally available, truthfully responsive actors. The technique places a heavy emphasis on listening, reacting, and fully engaging with scene partners, thereby creating a natural and spontaneous performance.
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.
Meisner’s innovative approach begins with his iconic “repetition exercise,” which serves as the foundation of his technique and is where all training at Actors Bridge begins.
At the end of 10 weeks, students receive a written evaluation of their work in 4 areas: participation, preparedness, works to full ability, attitude/commitment.
At the conclusion of the third module, students will interview with Meisner faculty to determine the best track to meet their needs going forward.
Find all class times and dates on our Class Schedule page.
Everyone starts in the beginning regardless of prior training or experience. If you have studied Meisner before, we will assess your familiarity with the technique during the first 5 weeks and promote accordingly.
If you have completed the full Meisner series with us at Actors Bridge and wish to return to a specific level, contact us.
The total cost of our Meisner Foundation is $1085. Students may choose to pay the entire tuition up front at a discounted rate of $985.
There is also a payment plan available. A deposit of $185 secures your place in the program. Each of the three modules is then $300, with a $300 payment due by the start of each session. That means you’ll invest $485 at the start of the program, $300 at the top of M2, and $300 at the top of M3.
Electives are priced according to the cost to host them. Find those prices on the Class Schedule page.
Students must be able to commit to attending every class in their module. You must be able to commit to at least Modules 1 & 2 (Repetition + the Independent Activity = 10 weeks) when signing up. We recommend taking all 3 Modules consecutively for maximum efficacy of the Technique.
Attendance in class is mandatory. Students who miss more than one class per module may be asked to repeat the module before moving on.
If you need to drop a class before the start of the session, you must give the office at least ONE WEEK’S NOTICE prior to the start of your class or workshop.
If you do so: any tuition paid toward the class and the non-refundable $100 deposit will be kept on credit at the studio for up to one year, to be applied to a future class or workshop.
If you drop the class ON THE DAY OF THE FIRST CLASS, the full tuition is non-refundable but will be kept on file for up to one year and is also transferable to another student.
If you drop a class MIDWAY THROUGH THE CLASS, you will need to have a conversation with your instructor about when you will be eligible to retake the class. Tuition payment is required to retake the class.
