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Now Accepting Applications for 2 Year Conservatory – Learn more

Summer Intensive is Now Accepting Applications – Learn More

First Year Acting

The beginning of the first year acting Conservatory Program follows Sanford Meisner’s traditional sequence of improvisational exercises and basic scene work, starting with the repetition exercise. You will gradually start to work with imaginary circumstances of your own devising, and then deepen and expand the work over the course of the school year, interspersing the exercise work with basic scene work. All of the first year work is about each individual actor – working as yourself under imaginary circumstances.

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Course Overview

There is no emphasis on character. Rather, the work invites you to develop and explore yourself and your acting instruments. You will expand your self-awareness, sensitivities, empathy, and imaginations.

Core acting skills will become habit. You learn to listen deeply, truthfully respond, express authentic emotional life fully under rich, imaginary circumstances. You will learn invaluable tools, (including emotional preparation) and how to work on basic scenes to keep them fresh and improvisational each time.

You learn how to “craft” – that is – how to do actor’s homework in order to reliably produce authentic, personal, imaginative and meaningful behavior in alignment with any given circumstances.

Through constant practice – both in class and outside of class – you develop solid, positive artistic habits. The work becomes part of your muscle memory. It becomes inevitable. You can’t help but do solid good basic acting as yourself under imaginary circumstances, because you’ve learned a set of tools and a process, and have made those a habit.

Only then, are you ready to begin character work in Second Year Acting of the Two Year Professional Acting Conservatory.

Prerequisites: None

Fall Term: Starts in September and runs for 9 months, concluding in late May

Winter Term: Starts in January and runs for 7 months, concluding in late July

Terry Knickerbocker Studio offers payment plans to all of our students.

Learn More Class Schedule The Meisner Technique
A gray-haired man in a white shirt sits on a table, gesturing animatedly like William Esper, as he talks to an engaged group of people around him. The group, consisting of both men and women, takes notes in the brightly lit room.

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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.

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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:

  • Your contact information
  • A forward-facing photo (don’t worry if you don’t have a headshot, we’re happy to accept other kinds of photos)
  • Your resume
  • Your 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