Join us in our new home!

All classes and workshops are suitable for ages 16 and up and take place at 528 Main Street in South Portland. 

**Please note that tuition payments are non-refundable unless we have to cancel the class**

Semester 1: Sept 5-Nov 5, 2019

Semester 2: Nov 4-Dec 18

Intro to Acting – free class!

Come experience what acting classes are all about in a FREE workshop hosted by Acorn Acting Academy Director Jared Culverhouse. Whether you are curious to know how an actor thinks or are wondering if an actor’s life is for you, we invite you to come to the Acorn Studio to participate in a series of acting games and theater exercises that will introduce you to many common acting terms. No experience necessary, but pre-registration required.

Pre-register here!

Acting for Ordinary People

An introductory course for everyone! If you’ve ever wondered what an actor does, this is the class for you! This class creates a fun and safe environment for beginning students looking to gain confidence in their public presentation skills while taking some first steps into acting. Students in the class will use monologues to explore the basic choices an actor must make while working on a role. The emphasis will be on doing — students will be performing in class regularly throughout the semester. No experience necessary!

Instructors: Jared Culverhouse (semester 1)
Tess VanHorn (semester 2)
When: Semester 1: Mondays (Sept 9-Oct 7) 6:30-8:30pm,
Semester 2: Tuesdays (Nov 12-Dec 10) 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $190 New Students, $160 Returning Students, $95 College Students

Acting For Ordinary People New
Acting for Ordinary People Returning
Acting for Ordinary People College Student

Advanced Scene Study

This class is for the more advanced actors that have taken an Intro to Acting and an Acting II class. This class will be a scene study with other experienced actors focusing on script analysis, character development, and creation of character. If you are a very experienced actor interested in taking the course and have not completed the above mentioned requirements please contact Jared Culverhouse at jaredculverhouse.acorn@gmail.com and we can discuss your fit in the class. This class will culminate in a showcase for the public at the end of the course.

Instructor: Karen Ball
When: Wednesdays (Sept 18-Oct 23) from 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $140

Playwriting

Have you had an idea for writing a play, but aren’t sure how to take the next step and turn it into dialogue? Or are you looking for some tips and expert feedback on how to finish a play you’ve started? This 5-week session will focus on practical approaches and techniques for how to write a short play from beginning to end and develop your story in creative and powerful ways! Open to playwrights of all experience levels looking to develop their skills, from beginners learning the fundamentals to writers looking for some new tricks of the trade. By the end of the course, you’ll have completed a short play that’s ready to submit for the Maine Playwrights Festival! Culminates with a staged reading by actors of the pieces in progress on November 5th.

Instructors: Dan Burson and Karmo Sanders
When: Tuesdays (Oct 8-Nov 5) from 6:30-9pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $95

It’s Called a ‘Play’ Not a ‘Work’: Intro to Acting Workshop

This two-day workshop will explore the ‘play’ aspect of acting (like playing in a sandbox). It is meant for those who want to try it to see if they like performance, as well as for those who want to dust off the cobwebs of past acting endeavors. We will explore ways of freeing up the physical and mental barriers via improvisation games, monologue presentation, and…well, playing.

For the first class please have a monologue that is either written by you or speaks to your personality.

Instructor: Karen Ball
When: Saturdays, October 19 and 26, 10am-1pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $35

The Actor’s Instrument: The Body of Acting Technique

Learn to be EXPRESSIVE and FLUID in this fun exploration of the use of the body that infuses every performance…THE ACTOR’S INSTRUMENT!

Teacher Al D’Andrea and his students will use a variety of games, exercises, improvisations, and techniques to take an in-depth look at how to prepare the actor’s instrument for honest and spontaneous interpretation of a role. 

Special attention will be given to Grotowski’s work on body, voice, movement and feeling; Stanislavski and Stephen Book’s methods for achieving and replicating authentic emotion; and the use of Michael Chekhov’s “Psychological Gesture” to embody character essence.

The workshop is ideal for experienced actors who seek to master their use of these important elements of stagecraft, while beginning actors receive a strong foundation in understanding the many and varied aspects of these critical tools in the actor’s arsenal. The class is open to all, ages 16 and up. 

Instructor: Al D’Andrea
When: Sundays (Oct 20-Nov 24) from 6-8:30pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $150

Acting II

This is for students who have taken Acting for Ordinary People or are somewhat comfortable with being in front of an audience. Whether you are a seasoned vet, or have been in a play or two come and work on scenes and a variety of exercises that will help you grow as a performer. This class is a nice gentle step into the upper level courses the academy offers.

Instructor: Lyndsey Higgins
When: Thursdays (Oct 24-Dec 5) from 6:30-8:30pm *no class on Halloween
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $190 New Students, $160 Returning Students, $95 College Students

Acting II New Student
Acting II Returning Student
Acting II College Student

Advanced Scene Study Workshop: Comedies

This class is for the more advanced actors that have at least taken an Intro to Acting and an Acting II class. This class will be a scene study with other experienced actors focusing on script analysis, character development, and creation of character. If you are a very experienced actor interested in taking the course and have not completed the above mentioned requirements please contact Jared Culverhouse at jaredculverhouse.acorn@gmail.com and we can discuss your fit in the class. This class will culminate in a showcase for the public at the end of the course. This course will be exploring scripts of comedic plays from classic and contemporary playwrights.

Instructor: Jared Culverhouse
When: Wednesdays (Nov 6-Dec 18) from 6:30-8:30pm *no class on Nov 27
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $140

Monologues Workshop

Monologues can be incredibly difficult to find and prepare, however with the right tools this can become a valuable part of a performers arsenal. In this four week course where we will explore techniques for preparing a monologue audition. There will be text work each class and students will leave with material that has been selected for them by the instructor to use for future auditions. Sign up today and never miss an audition again because you aren’t ready.

Instructor: Jared Culverhouse
When: Mondays (Nov 11-Dec 2) from 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $80

Imagination and Instinct: The Spirit of Acting Technique

Learn to be SPONTANEOUS and AUTHENTIC in this informative exploration of the spirit that infuses every performance…IMAGINATION & INSTINCT!

Teacher Al D’Andrea and his students will use a variety of games, exercises, techniques and improvisations to take an in-depth look at how to develop a strong and fluid imagination and hone the actor’s instinct to bring spontaneity and authenticity to the actor’s work. 

Much of the teaching comes directly from Al’s studies with stage legend Stella Adler.

The workshop is ideal for experienced actors who seek to master their use of this important element of stagecraft, while beginning actors receive a strong foundation in understanding the many and varied aspects of these critical tools in the actor’s arsenal.  The class is open to all, ages 16 and up. 

Instructor: Al D’Andrea
When: Sundays (Dec 8-Jan19) 6-8:30pm
Where: Acorn Studio
Price: $150