Master Class

Advance work in scene study, monologues, improvisations, and professional coaching. The class meets once a week for a seven week session. This class is open to students already enrolled in the Ruskin school or to new students by audition.

Each week of the seven week class, students are instructed by a different actor or director. Most sessions begin with a casting director teaching. Past and present teachers include:

Anthony Hopkins
    Tony Franciosa
         Dylan McDermott
              Edward Asner
                  Bruce Davison
                       Paul Michael Glaser
                          Brenda Vaccaro
                               Daniel Attias
                                    Tony Bill
                                        Michael O'Keefe
                                    Chris Mulkey
                                Christine Lahti
                           Danny Cannon
                       Catherine Hardwicke
                    Olivia d'Abo
                 Paul Sand
             Stephen Metcalfe
          John Finn
      Karen Landry
   Joel Polis
Spencer Garrett
   Barbara Tarbuck
      Robert Costanzo
         Shari Belafonte
             Debra Zane
                April Webster
                     Marci Liroff
                          Bonnie Gillespie
                               Edward Edwards
                          Chris Allport
as well as many others.

Meisner Technique Classes

The program consists of a two year course of study in the formal Meisner technique. John Ruskin was Sanford Meisner's apprentice for many years and served on the faculty at the Neighborhood Playhouse under Meisner.

Ruskin brings his first-hand experience with Meisner to his teachings. The course is divided into a two year program described below.

First Year

The first year of work is the foundation of Sanford Meisner's entire technique. Exercises in repetition, independent activities, emotional preparation, and scene work. The class meets twice a week.

Second Year

Training in advanced Meisner technique exercises including work in characterization, relationship, improvisation, and Spoon River Anthologies: applied scenes performed from plays of both modern and classic text. The class meets twice a week.

Workshops

Introduction to Meisner Technique

Alexander Technique

Commedia dell'Arte - Viewpoints

Movement Training

Voice Classes

Acting Classes for Children and Young Adults

We are proud to offer a series of classes designed to train children & young adults in the Meisner Technique
Our classes begin a great introduction to the Meisner work, with exercises in repetition, independent activities, monologues, and scene study. Students will learn to use Meisner’s techniques to memorize text, rehearse scenes, & perform in front of an audience.

We also play Improv Games that are both fun & unlock the imagination while also teaching important lessons about listening, relationships and storytelling.
More advanced classes continue the work as students write and develop their own original pieces, study movement, vocal training, mask work & Shakespeare. We also go behind the scenes to work on costume, sets and technical design.

New Session Starts Next Month
Classes meet once a week
Ages 6- 16, all levels of experience

Private coaching available by appointment

All students are invited to audition for the Ruskin Group Theatre Company & its professional shows!

CALL NOW TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW
(310) 390.4212

Recommended Reading:

The Mystic in the Theatre: Eleonora Duse.
(Biography of Eleonora Duse) By Eva Le Gallienne

Letters to a Young Poet. By Rainer Maria Rilke. Translated by Stephen Mitchell

Sanford Meisner on Acting.
By Sanford Meisner and Dennis Longwell.

Acting: The First Six Lessons.
By Richard Bolesklavsky.

The Fervent Years: The Group Theatre and the Thirties.
(History of the Group Theatre)
By Harold Clurman.

The Captain's Verses.
By Pablo Neruda.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom.
By Don Miguel Ruiz.

The Holy Man.
By Susan Trott.

An Incomplete Education.
By Judy Jones and William Wilson.

Open Secret: Versions of Rumi.
Translated by John Moyne and Coleman Barks.

The Prophet.
By Kahlil Gibran.

Tao Te Ching. By Lao-tzu.
Translated, with foreword and notes by Stephen Mitchell.

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.
By Sogyal Rinpoche.

Tuesdays With Morrie.
By Mitch Albom.

Dylan McDermott & John Ruskin teaching Master Class

Anthony Hopkins teaching Master Class

Bruce Davison teaching Master Class

Ed Asner talking with Mikey after teaching Master Class

Brenda Vacarro teaching Master Class

Young Adults Acting Class Warm-up

Childrens Acting Class Improv Game

Dylan McDermott teaching Master Class