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Speak L.A. Online Acting Class Offerings

 

Speak L.A. offers two class options: A beginning Acting Class (offered twice a year) and a monthly Master Class (both taught by Camille).

Each class dives into the actor's process of developing a character so that the you (the fabulous actor) feels confident and free in your auditions and performance.

Hi Actor!
 
I LOVE the process of acting.
I remember watching performances in my twenties wondering … what defines a thrilling and a non-thrilling performance?
I wanted to watch an actor that wasn’t “acting,” someone who was fully present, open and connected to their bodies.
What I saw instead was so much pushing, over exertion, physical stiffness in the body and self-consciousness when delivering a line. 
And of course, I felt it too, that clunky, uncomfortable feeling in the creative process.
I was determined to figure out the secret of how to develop a character that felt human instead of acted. My decision to find this elusive secret (as I thought of it), led me to train and study the craft of acting in England, Paris and back to the U.S.
My favorite part of acting is the rehearsal process where the creation and development of the character unfolds. I realized that magic and impulse (those words used so often when talking about acting), happen within an individual actor's defined process.
In other words: knowing how to do your work as an actor = magic.  
I have taught process and technique to hundreds of actors. I have been on the faculty of the USC School of Drama, Santa Barbara City College and the University of Washington as well as led weekend retreats and master classes. In addition to teaching acting, I have taught business of acting seminars throughout schools in the US and abroad.
Teaching actors how to access technique and process so that they feel freedom as they act is my greatest joy. Come and work with me!

See you soon, Camille

Delve Deeper into the Actor's Process

 

Which Class is right for you?

Beginning Acting Class

This is an online 6 week Introduction to Acting Technique Scene Study Class. This class focuses on the the fundamentals of acting. You will leave this class with an understanding of how to break down a script and apply it to character work.

It is offered three times a year and offers a fundamental understanding of how to process and analyze a script in order to prepare you for ongoing scene study. 

Speak L.A. Master Acting Class

 

This ongoing monthly master class is for the experienced actor. In this class we take a more detailed and deeper look into application of script analysis, sensory work, performance technique and character transformation. Admittance is by invitation only. Please inquire to see if this class is appropriate for you.

 

Taryn Pearce

 

"Camille Thornton-Alson is the best-kept secret in Hollywood. Her training is a unique and necessary experience for anyone looking to elevate their skill level as an actor. Her Script Analysis class has been paramount in helping me learn how to attack a script and derive character from it, whether I’ve been given a whole play, screenplay, or only a couple pages of audition sides to work with. She helped take me through all the stages of preparation, and while she provides a safe and nurturing space within which to work, she pushed me to stretch the limits of what I thought I was capable of. She helped me to see that there is no ‘right’ answer, but rather directed me to find the truth in the words and in my characters. I am by far a better, more confident performer after having trained with Camille than I could have hoped to be before. Anyone who is looking to gain a solid foundation in script analysis, wants to learn how to go deeper into developing character, and generally has the desire to unleash their creative potential should absolutely start training with Camille."

Martina Ziesack. TV Director & Producer, SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (Swiss National Television)

 

"I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of acting and how to communicate best with actors. Camille helped me dive into the craft by teaching me proper technique and a deeper understanding of character work. By getting me to change sides and letting me experience acting first-hand I gained a deeper understanding of how to better communicate with actors. Not only is it easier to get direction “on the same page”, my approach on working with actors has become a far more creative process."

Martina Ziesack. TV Director & Producer, SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (Swiss National Television)

 

"Camille is a very bright and powerful teacher, quick to adapt to your learning needs and she knows how to challenge you in order to bring you to your goal faster. I absolutely loved working Camille."

Lola Gilmore

"Where to start? I wish I could forever be a student of Camille's. Her classroom was always a safe space to learn and grow where experimentation, questions and trial and error were just as important as nailing a performance. Camille taught me that what I bring to the table is special, even on days when I had myself convinced otherwise. Her class provided me with knowledge and a newfound confidence in my acting that I will bring with me to auditions and classrooms in the future."

Nuk Moore, USC School of Drama

"To have you as a professor is amazing. You truly care for us (your students). Care for our talents, but most importantly our overall well-being. You push us to be better, but not too much to where we feel we hate what we're doing and want to quit. And you also don't hold out hands through the whole process as if we're babies. You have amazing balance in your teachings."

Neema Muteti, BFA School of Drama

"I owe so much to Camille. She's forever changed the way I approach acting and performance in general. She's genuine and kind, but at the same time not afraid to tell you that you suck and need to go back to the beginning. There's no half-asking or bullshitting in her class. She can tell when you don't know your shit. Hands down the best acting teacher I've ever had."

Sign up for a Speak L.A. Acting Class

Beginning Acting - Fall Session

Thursday October 5th - Thursday November 9th 2023 12:00pm - 1:30pm PST

$375.00 6 classes

Speak L.A. Monthly Master Class

Currently Full (Reach out to [email protected] to join the wait list)     Wednesday 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm PST

$295.00 Monthly

Is this acting class right for you?

....................

An acting class needs to be the right fit for you. 

If you have a question e-mail me below.

What Are My Class Options?

 

  • Classes are taught in a monthly format either online or in person. 

Online classes

  • focus on script analysis work and the process of how to break-down and develop a character based on the evidence within the text. Doing this work enables the actor to fully embody a character and develop a role no matter what material the actor is presented with. 

In person classes

  • focus on movement and connecting the physicality of the actor's impulse to the text. The practice enables the actor to find freedom in their acting and a deeper sense of connection with how their body moves and how physicality and impulse changes your body naturally.

Introduction to Acting Technique

 

In this 6 week Zoom class you will learn the fundamentals of acting.  The focus will be on how to breakdown and analyze a script. This is an introduction to scene study class that will enable you to enter into any scene study class with an understanding of how to fully develop and portray a character.

 

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Master Class

 

This 4 week online scene study class is for experienced actors.  The Master Class is an ongoing monthly class that takes a deeper look at script analysis, sensory work, character work, performance technique and character transformation. Admittance is is by invitation only. Please inquire to see if this class is appropriate for you.

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