The Alexander Technique is a set of skills and insights about how to find ease, confidence, and precision in the way you move, breathe, and communicate. We enter into the process through the body to restore connection to your sense of unity or wholeness—your understanding of how you manifest your physical, psychological and cultural interconnections is the essential core of this work. In this way, it will give you a foundation for syncing up your acting, voice and movement training.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a set of skills and insights about how to find ease, confidence, and precision in the way you move, breathe, and communicate. We enter into the process through the body to restore connection to your sense of unity or wholeness.
Course Overview
TRANSFORM
Meet Your Instructor
Belinda Mello – Belinda Mello is an Alexander Technique Teacher, Director and Movement Specialist. She brings over 30 years of experience with theater, movement and mask to her teaching. Her attention to the individual creates the space for performers to resolve issues of chronic tension or anxiousness.
What You’ll Learn
Level I:
You will learn a process for uncovering your playful responsiveness in the moment -tuning your nervous system to be steady, ready and flexible. You will learn more about:
- how to use your senses — to invite rather than defend against sensation.
● developing a dependable sense of center so that you can organize your core strength
● how to use space and open your focus — freeing up your breath to support your voice.
● recognizing and changing habitual patterns reflected in posture, demeanor and vocal support.
Class meetings begin with orienting: skills to help you establish a steady sense of grounding. These skills playfully open up your awareness of choice and freedom from dependency on habits. The Alexander Technique process is unhurried, allowing you to manage change with less anxiety. And with joy!
Level II/III:
This course welcomes anyone who has taken the first level, or equivalent.
You know, from experience, how much Alexander Technique supports your work, your steadiness and your stamina. In this course we will bring AT into action–in daily living, and in acting–while continuing to build brain-to-body skills. In this integrative Alexander Technique class, we’ll use a playful, practical approach that supports your preparation and character development. We will emphasize the power of doing less in order to gain a more free, courageous presence.
In this semester we’ll unpack habits and acting tendencies, building helpful habits to foster your growth as a craftsperson. We will be using AT in improvisation and with text: exploring people and animals/creatures using a graphic-art book as a launching point.
Each student receives individual feedback and will be expected to practice outside of class time. The course includes follow-up resources and assignments for self-paced practice.
Conservatory Program Tracks
At TK Studio, we offer multiple tracks of Conservatory training to customize your journey. You can also add classes a la carte to enhance your experience!
Fundamentals
Conservatory Fundamentals consists of the Meisner curriculum plus Script Analysis, Theatre History, and one Movement and one Voice class (one each year). rnrnThe Fundamentals program provides the groundwork of the Meisner Training which is at the heart of TK Studio’s approach to acting training, while also inviting the actor to experience how Theatre History, Script Analysis, and Core Movement and Voice training expand the actor’s toolkit in order to meet the demands of the industry.
Essentials
Conservatory Essentials consists of the Meisner Curriculum, Script Analysis, Theatre History and four Core Movement and four Core Voice classes – one every semester. rnrnConservatory Essentials offers Core Voice and Movement training that enhances each actor’s talent and expression.The movement, voice, and acting classes work synergistically, allowing you to master your instrument and fully embody imaginary circumstances. The final semester culminates in a Capstone Project, where you develop and share your work with an invited audience.
Complete
Conservatory Complete consists of everything in the Essentials program, plus classes in Clown, Alexander Technique, and additional selections from our array of Special Topic classes. rnrnConservatory Complete is a full-time program for students committed to holistic training of their instrument, resembling top university conservatories. Clown work fosters creativity and play in a judgment-free space, while the Alexander Technique deepens understanding of the body for creating embodied characters. Together, these classes elevate each actor, equipping them with tools for sustained career success.
Who is this Program for?
In short, we seek students who enrich the diversity of the Studio and who are generous, curious, collaborative, passionate and committed to excellence.rnrnu003cstrongu003eExcellence and quality matter to you.u003c/strongu003ernrnWe hope your North Star is that you aspire to being the very best actor you can be, and you are unapologetically committed to achieving that excellence. In short: you’re all in.rnrnu003cstrongu003eYou understand that anything worth doing doesn’t come easy.u003c/strongu003ernrnThis program is not designed to be a quick and dirty get-successful-quick program, but rather a comprehensive journey to mastering a craft. There are no shortcuts. We seek artists who are aspirational high-achievers, who come to their practice with grit, determination, a love of learning, and a hunger for growth, and who are ready to commit to themselves and to their careers.rnrnu003cstrongu003eYou are passionate about storytelling.u003c/strongu003ernrnYou share our passionate love for storytelling and art-making, and the belief that art and stories are important.rnrnu003cstrongu003eYou’ve developed an interest in the Meisner technique specifically.u003c/strongu003ernrnThis may not mean that you’ve taken a Meisner class, but rather that you’ve done some research and see the value and benefit that training in Meisner can do for your development as an actor of impeccable craft and skill.rnrnu003cstrongu003eYou are here to learn, not to get it right. u003c/strongu003ernrnPerfectionism is not going to help you.rnYou enjoy being a part of a community and are looking to join a brave and diverse group of people.
Conservatory Essentials Year One
A high-level description of TKS’ short-term offerings, including workshops, intensives and specialty classes.
Community
Join our vibrant acting community and connect at our Industry City campus and social events.
Advanced Options
Access to core classes and workshops throughout the semester
Flexible Scheduling
Explore our flexible pricing plans designed to fit your schedule and budget.
Conservatory Essentials Year One
$15,897*
- First Year Acting
- Theatre History (Spring)
- Movement I u0026 II
- Voice I u0026 II
*15,697 + 200 admin fee
Apply Now
Schedule a Discovery Call
Have questions? Book a one-on-one chat with our Director of Admissions and Enrollment. We’re here to help you determine if Terry Knickerbocker Studio is the right fit for you.
FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our Studio.
What is the Meisner Technique?
The Meisner Technique is a highly regarded acting method developed by Sanford Meisner. It focuses on truthful and spontaneous acting, emphasizing the actor’s connection with their scene partner.
Do you offer acting classes for beginners?
We do—in fact, most of our classes can be taken without any prior experience. Our Conservatory and Intensive programs each offer foundational training which can be equally suitable for someone just starting out and for the seasoned actor, as can most of our Special Topicsclasses (unless prerequisites are otherwise noted). At our studio, how much or how little experience a student has is much less important than the student’s sincere desire for and commitment to becoming the best actor they can be.
Do you offer virtual classes?
Most of our offerings are in-person, because we believe that face-to-face instruction allows us to develop a more nuanced understanding of our student’s strengths, current challenges, and progress. It also allows both teacher and student to be fully present, and for students to connect with their peers. That said, we occasionally offer virtual Special Topics classes. Please refer to the Programs and Classes page for more information.
Do you offer Scene Study classes?
TK Studio offers an Advanced Scene Study class taught by Nathan Flower for students who have already completed foundational training. On occasion, Terry teaches a Scene Study Master Class at the Studio, online, and outside of New York City. He has taught at studios in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Berlin. Please contact Christopher Booth to inquire further.
How do I apply to TK Studio?
To be considered for admission to any courses or workshops at Terry Knickerbocker Studio, you must submit an official application through the website. There is no application fee to apply to TKS, only the following elements:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eYour contact informationu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eA forward-facing photo (don’t worry if you don’t have a headshot, we’re happy to accept other kinds of photos)u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eYour resumeu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eYour answers to a few questions that tell us who you are (including your relationship to values around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), what you’re looking for, and how you think our classes might help youu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e