The fifth annual Theatre for All Actor Training Program took place in October 2022
Queens Theatre presents its 5th annual Theatre for All Professional Training Program for Deaf/Disabled actors aged 18 or older. This year's workshops and events were held October 17 – 28, 2022, online via Zoom. The program is free of cost for the students. The application window for the 2022 session closed on September 30. Applicants selected to participate in the program will be notified by Friday, October 7.
Workshops will be taught by disabled and non-disabled industry professionals, including: Tony Award Winner Tonya Pinkins (“Women of the Movement”, “Madam Secretary”, “Red Pill”, “Caroline or Change”, Jelly’s Last Jam); Brigid Brady (Broadway: “The Phantom of the Opera” “Gossip Girl”); The Second City alumnae Pat Shay (“FBI”, “The Blacklist”, “Girls 5 Eva”) and Mary Theresa Archbold (“Inventing Anna”, “Girls 5 Eva”, “Bull”, “Law & Order: SVU”); leading disability advocate and performer Christine Bruno (“Public Servant”, “Best Summer Ever”, “Law & Order”, The Actors Studio); and Roundabout Director Group member Evan T Cummings (Director, Lincoln Center: An Evening of Short Plays). Additional instructors will be announced soon.
The program offers two training levels: Early Career and Working Actor. Applicants must select the level they would like to enroll in. After reviewing applications, Queens Theatre staff reserves the right to suggest a placement that we believe will better serve you. The courses culminate with the students performing in a livestreamed industry showcase.
Accessibility information: ASL Interpretation and Audio Description will be available.
Students in the New York City area are also invited to join us for two special in-person TFA events:
- Saturday, October 22 at 8:00 PM: Play reading of Tim Lord's We Will Never Reach The Shore at Queens Theatre
- Saturday, October 29 at 8:00 PM: Broadway performance of Cost of Living, featuring former TFA Director Gregg Mozgala and form TFA Instructor Katy Sullivan at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
All photos on this page credited to Dominick Totino.
TFA Training Program Course Descriptions
Early Career Level:
Professional Training
This course is designed for "Early-Career" actors to build on the actor’s existing set of skills. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this course. The program will provide actors with the tools they need to create authentic, truthful and exciting performances in the audition room, on stage and on screen with confidence. Students will be introduced to straight-forward, effective tools to help further develop their practice for stage and on-camera work. This program includes Intermediate Monologue and Scene Study. Early Career Training will culminate in a Live Streamed performance of monologue and/ or scene work developed in class for a select group of industry professionals.
Audition Technique
This newly expanded course will offer students tools for preparing for all elements of a theatrical audition. Class topics will include reading from sides and how to make smart, active choices about character and intention. Selecting monologues, scenes, or songs that can best showcase you and your unique voice. Cold Reading skills: skimming scenes for clues, finding spontaneity and confidence in brand new material. How do I incorporate my access needs when asked to cold read? Maintaining confidence and composure in an audition setting from the minute you enter the building to the minute you leave. The “Day before” and “Minute-before” preparation: Digging deeply into character, need, and story, even when you don’t have the full script.
Scene Study
This course investigates understanding and interpreting the scene by exploring the layering of conscious and unconscious behavior and applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside your comfort zone. Through extensive examination, research, and experimentation, you discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play. Special Instructions: Bring a scene (5 minutes or less)
Advanced Voice and Song Selection
This class combines singing technique with valuable audition insights. The course will begin with an extensive warm-up and group voice lesson. In addition to singing already prepared material, students will be offered new material and assistance with building a strong repertoire for auditions. This will include instruction on choosing the right songs for auditions and the best cuts to use.
Special Instructions: Bring 2 contrasting songs (3 minutes or less)
Classical Theater
Through the exploration and performance of Classical scenes and characters, students will get connected with a vibrant and authentic expressivity in their performance of non-contemporary dramatic work. Emphasis will be placed first on the emotional and intellectual understanding of the texts, then on their uninhibited physical and vocal expression. Core acting work on intentions, tactics, obstacles, and relationships will be reinforced.
Working Actor Level:
Advanced Training
This professional course is designed for Working Actors to build and deepen their acting practice for the stage and camera. Prior stage and/or on-camera training or experience is a prerequisite for this program. Training for the Working Actor will culminate in a livestreamed showcase of scene work rehearsed in class for a select group of industry professionals. Students will also receive a copy of their recorded scene to use for their professional reels.
On Set and On Camera
Students dive into the technical aspects of on-camera acting including framing, continuity, stillness, thinking and breathing. In this class you will also learn methods to conserve your energy during long intervals between shots whether you are a day player, co- or guest star, recurring character or series regular. Students will examine the economics of being a working actor and the elements of life on set will be explored including shoot schedules and actor accommodations.
Advanced Scene Study
This course will encourage students to explore the layering of conscious and unconscious behavior and applying technique as a tool to solve challenges outside your comfort zone. Through extensive examination, research, and experiment, you discover and rediscover the level of action and commitment needed to fulfill the form and idea of the play.
Special Instructions: Bring a scene of 5 minutes or less.
Voice Over Acting
Students in the Voice Over course will learn techniques to help them build a voice over reel and prepare for VO auditions - for example: how to break down copy and how to make bold character choices. Students will practice techniques on how to use their voice, mouth and body as an instrument that can fulfill their intentions for the character and/or copy. Subjects will include audio book reading, performing animated characters, performing commercial copy and creating/working in a home studio.
Script Analysis: Film/TV Auditions
Whether you’re auditioning for a co-star, guest star, or series regular on TV or a principal or lead role in a film, chances are you’ll get the sides with little time to prepare. And because we’re often given little to no information about our character and how they may fit into the overall storyline, it’s our job as actors to create the character and their backstory -- sometimes in as little as 24 hours. This course is designed to provide you with the tools necessary to analyze any script; to help you make truthful, specific and actable choices and build a three-dimensional, believable character who fits into the world of the show or film.
Please come prepared with a two-to-three-page scene from a television show or film of your choice. It should be material you are not familiar with and should not be memorized. We will be breaking down scenes together in class using the fundamentals of script analysis.