Conservatory

This class is taking place on consecutive Fridays (April 11 & April 18) for this week only. Class schedule will return to its regular  bi-weekly cadence in May.

Fridays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Ron Torgow

This class is designed to help students achieve a successful commercial audition in a fun and informative environment. The class consists of working with Commercial copy board and hand held paper copy. Various techniques are used to achieve a natural, honest, and unique audition. Improvisation techniques may also be used. Students may bring their own material or use commercial copy available. Auditions are played back and reviewed.

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App.

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Thursdays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Mia Christo

This class will introduce acting terminology, screenwriting, and genre and how that affects acting for the camera. 
This course will help students begin to develop a personal preparation system for an on-camera role and introduce them to the business of film and television. Filled with a mix of science and artistry this class focuses on bringing your best for the camera, and learn basic set etiquette.

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Weekly

Teacher: Robert Goodman

Via mainstream acting theories and techniques, proven exercises and improvisation, students are exposed to the stylish and technical demands of camera performance. With emphasis on the ensemble and exposure, today’s audition obligations, to understanding how multi-media training relates to a 21st century actor, we will explore, challenge, and apply the vernacular, etiquette, discipline, and nuance of acting, and note how the process of storytelling applies to the actor. 

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Thursdays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Evan Bass

Have you been daunted by self-producing or are you an old hat? Self-Producing 101 will delve
into everything pre-production, production, and post-production to give you a template for how
to be prepared at each level of your filmmaking. Featuring Q&As at the end of each session,
bring your notepads and questions and get ready to create your own work!

PART 3: POST-PRODUCTION

• Final Cast List
• Editing
• ADR
• Color Correction
• VFX
• Sound Design
• Score
• Film Festivals
• PR (Website, Social Media, etc.)
• Q&A
   

Topics to be covered in future sessions:

PART 4: EVERY QUESTION, FROM EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE

PART 5: DAVINCI RESOLVE EDITING -- DIVE INTO THE EDIT

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Wednesdays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Jill Stern

Through the lens of the self-tape audition, we'll focus on what you can do to bring your work to the next level. Please bring a TV/Film scene not more than 2 minutes in length (about 2 pages). Up to 8 participants will have the opportunity to work on a scene.

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Weekly

Teacher: Jon Freda

Exercises for playing the purpose of a scene by focusing on choices in scripted and unscripted scenarios.

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Tuesdays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Marc Baron

Discussions will include delving deeper into the screenwriting process with new materials each meet. It's recommended to take the Introduction to Screenwriting. 
 

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open on Monday, April 7. Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Weekly

Teacher: Robert Goodman

Via mainstream acting theories and techniques, proven exercises and improvisation, students are exposed to the stylish and technical demands of camera performance. With emphasis on the ensemble and exposure, today’s audition obligations, to understanding how multi-media training relates to a 21st century actor, we will explore, challenge, and apply the vernacular, etiquette, discipline, and nuance of acting, and note how the process of storytelling applies to the actor. 

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open below on Monday, April 7. 

Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Tuesdays Bi-weekly

Teacher: Marc Baron

Discussion will include story, structure, character development, formatting, software, festivals and more.
 

RSVP: The registration form for this class will open on Monday, April 7. Please bring your SAG-AFTRA member ID card, or digital card in the Member App for admittance. 

If you have questions about the class or need to request an accommodation please email us at ny.conservatory@sagaftra.org. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed are those of the individual guests, not of SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for applicable professional advice. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

This event is only open to SAG-AFTRA NY Conservatory Members.

Working actor Michael Kostroff (HBO’s The Wire, Marvel’s Spider-Noir) has dedicated a lifetime to studying the mental side of the audition process. He’s presented his popular Audition Psych 101 workshop all over the country to thousands of actors, reframing that process with logic, humor, and field-tested experience. In this interactive discussion, he’ll share some of those insights and field questions from participants.

Key Takeaways:

• How interpretation affects experience
• The trouble with positive thinking
• Popular actor mythologies that fail the logic test
• Why most actors aren’t working
• Conquering the mental gremlins
  

Cost: 

• Free for SAG-AFTRA San Diego Local members in good standing (paid through April 30, 2025) with registration.
• If you are not a member or not a San Diego Local Member you can attend for a fee of $10. You must register below AND you must also pay via this link.

RSVP: Registrations are required below. 

Check-in begins at 6:00 p.m.

About Michael Kostroff: Michael Kostroff is an established TV, film, and stage actor with over 100 on-screen credits. He’s the author of several books, including Audition Psych 101 and The Stage Actor’s Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional. A former advice columnist for Backstage, he’s a frequent guest on actor podcasts and at acting schools and universities. In addition to his popular Audition Psych 101 workshop, Michael is an audition coach and acting instructor.

Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

Please note that ADA requests must be received 72 business hours before the start of the event.