Work in the Second Year will reinforce and build upon the learning experiences of the First Year. Advanced acting, voice and movement training are combined with rehearsal and performance of both projects and full-length plays. Admission to the Second Year is by invitation. Selection is made on the basis of progress, potential and readiness to benefit from advanced training, as evidenced by classwork and examination plays from the First Year.

NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES COURSES

ADVANCED ACTING In the Second Year, advanced scene study is undertaken using the principles of relaxation, concentration, objectives, actions and moment-to moment spontaneity as a base. Roles assigned require more imaginative extensions of technique, greater stretch, specificity, personalization and justification, along with more intensive background research. Scenes assigned include the works of Ibsen, Chekhov, Strindberg and Shaw, as well as contemporary playwrights.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE Students continue the study and application of basic and advanced acting techniques through rehearsal and performance of roles that may be in projects, one-act or full-length productions.

CAREER PREPARATION A number of industry professionals and guest speakers are scheduled for seminars and workshops toward the end of the Second Year to familiarize students with basic procedures of professional employment. Guidance is offered concerning résumés, photographs, auditions, agents, casting directors, unions and other issues related to the development of a career in film, television and theatre.

A series of audition preparation workshops is also offered on the selection and preparation of audition monologues from both classical and contemporary theatre. These career counseling courses help provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop personal business strategies and to sustain a professional career.

STAGE DIALECTS This course gives the actor knowledge and practice in researching and preparing dialects for the stage. Students study the International Phonetic Alphabet and a variety of commonly used dialects, including, but not limited to, English (both Received Pronunciation and working class Cockney), Irish and others such as French, German, Russian, Scottish, New York (Brooklyn) and American Southern.

ADVANCED VOCAL PRODUCTION / SINGING This course continues the work of Vocal Production in the First Year with a greater emphasis on the development of the voice for the demands of musical theatre. Students will begin to look at repertoire and develop several audition pieces over the course of the semester.

NEW YORK COURSES

STYLES II: SHAKESPEARE An intense study of performing in Shakespeare's plays, in which students develop a solid foundation for the appreciation and use of heightened, poetic language. Major focus is given to researching the period, learning meter and understanding its importance to a character and a play.

VOICE & SPEECH III Students study standard stage speech by applying the fundamentals of speech and voice production as a base and advanced use of the International Phonetic Alphabet. With attention toward performance, variations in pitch, rhythm, resonance and pronunciation are explored, and learning techniques developed to acquire other dialects and accents.

STAGE COMBAT The purpose of this course is to train students in the basic skills of stage combat, focusing on unarmed combat and emphasizing safety, dynamics, and believability. The exercises and practice are also intended to increase mental and physical strength, flexibility and coordination.

STAGE MANAGEMENT This is a non-credit, optional internship in which students serve as assistants/production coordinators for Academy play directors.

CAMERA TECHNIQUE This course is designed to give students complete freedom and confidence when auditioning in front of a camera. It begins with on-camera interviews so students may view their screen images in playback and observe any facial or physical tensions that need correction. Students learn to relax and to project energetic and positive images rooted in truth. It continues with the exploration of different types of audition techniques for film, television, commercials and industrials in which cue cards and actual scripts are used. Students work behind the scenes as well as on camera, and are trained to operate cameras, sound equipment and the recording computer.

FENCING Basic fencing movements are taught. Once mastered, a scene from a film or play with a choreographed fight scene is assigned. This class will give grounding, focus and center the actor.

MOVEMENT III This course is designed to strengthen the actor's physical and emotional connection using ensemble composition and character development.

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS The Academy offers a limited number of unpaid internships and volunteer positions for qualified Second Year students and Academy Company members in entertainment-related fields. They provide excellent opportunities to actively participate in the profession while making valuable contacts. The positions, which may last for a semester and may or may not provide academic credit, require a recommendation from the Director of Instruction, a résumé with cover letter, and an interview. For-credit positions also require regular reports and meetings with an advisor. Students may also arrange their own intern positions with the approval of the Director of Instruction. For-credit positions offer 1 credit, Pass/Fail only.

LOS ANGELES COURSES

ADVANCED VOCAL PRODUCTION / VOCAL POWER This course focuses on advanced development of the speaking voice. Students will enhance core support, flexibility, range, resonance, stamina, variety and vocal power. Students will apply advanced vocalization to individual and group pieces in preparation for the vocal demands of the professional theatre.

MAKE-UP Basic materials of stage make-up are introduced and students are trained to use them effectively. Individual facial structure is studied, as well as the principles of characterization, creating realistic scars and wounds, the effect of lighting and specific practices of historic periods.

MOVEMENT III: STAGE COMBAT & FENCING Students develop the skills needed for unarmed and single sword theatrical combat and apply each to theatrical and cinematic use. While gaining strength, stamina, coordination, balance and flexibility, students develop and integrate imaginative characters into choreographed stage fights, learning strategies, technique, and safety.

STYLES II This course begins with a review of Shakespeare and moves forward with scene study of 17th and 18th century French and English playwrights, concluding with 19th century comic and romantic European drama. Particular attention is paid to the linguistic and physical complexity each era presents.

WORKSHOP REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE In the second semester of the Second Year, students are placed in Advanced Shakespeare, Musical Theatre or One Person Show to further explore heightened styles of acting. These workshops lead to evening performances for the public on The Academy's main stage.

PERIOD MOVEMENT AND DANCE This course is intended as an introduction to and instruction in dance/movement styles and social deportment in European societies since the 16th century.

CAMERA TECHNIQUE: SCENE STUDY Building on the work of Camera Technique: Fundamentals, students work on television and film scenes on camera, honing their text analysis and acting skills for media performance. Through rehearsal, taping scene work and viewing final edited scenes, students develop crucial skills for working before the camera. Material from the class becomes the basis for developing each student's show reel.

STAGE MANAGEMENT Each student serves as a stage manager or co-stage manager for One Acts, Workshop Performances or Academy Company Productions. Serving as an assist to the director, students notate blocking and coordinate production elements, which helps them to gain an important perspective on the rehearsal process and serves them as actors. Students may not receive more than 2 credits combined for First and Second year in the area of Stage Management.

VOICE & SPEECH III: DIALECTS Students apply advanced principles of voice and speech production to the acquisition and performance of the major dialects of English. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet, students study British Received Pronunciation, Cockney, Southern Irish, New York, and two types of American Southern. Students apply these to performed monologues in preparation for theatrical auditions. In addition, students research and present other dialects and various foreign accents, which may include Australian, French, German, Italian, Russian, Scottish, South African, Spanish and others.

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS Students are required to work off-campus for a minimum of 12 hours in a professional setting. Internships may be arranged through The Academy, or may be designed by the student and approved by the Director of Instruction. Internships available include working as actors at professional film training schools for classes and projects, volunteering for community arts outreach programs, and working in a professional setting in an agent or casting director's office or a professional theatre. Internships may be repeated for a total of 1 credit, Pass/Fail only.