Scene Study – Working with Text and Connection

Dates

Monday evenings — May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 5, 12

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Duration

6 weeks

5 working classes (3 hours each)

1 final public presentation

Location

TBC – Waterloo Region

Course Description

Scene Study gives actors the opportunity to apply the principles of attention, listening, and truthful response to scripted material.

Working in pairs, students rehearse and explore scenes from contemporary theatre and film while developing the ability to respond authentically to a partner while working with text.

The focus of the class is not on performance tricks or line readings, but on genuine connection and truthful behavior under imaginary circumstances.

Throughout the course, actors will rehearse and refine a scene that will be presented in a final public showing at the end of the six-week process.

Students will work on:

• listening and responding truthfully in the moment

• building authentic connection with a scene partner

• bringing emotional truth to scripted text

• developing confidence and presence in performance

This class is ideal for actors looking to deepen their craft and apply the principles introduced in Meisner Level One.

Instructor

The course is led by Paul Hopkins, an actor, director, and teacher with over 30 years of professional experience in theatre, film, and television. His teaching emphasizes presence, attention, and authentic human connection at the heart of performance.