Bill Esper Acting Teacher – Mentor and Artistic Father – Maggie Flanigan
William Esper was the preeminent acting teacher in NYC when I trained with him as an actress and then as a teacher. He was also the authentic interpreter of Sandy Meisner ‘s work.
It was a privilege to have known him, to have worked with him and to have him as a friend and mentor.
Maggie FlaniganArtistic Director, Master Teacher
Bill had high standards and he held his student’s feet to the fire so they could be the best actors they could be. His students loved him. And they still tell their “Bill Tales” even if they worked with him 20 years ago. Bill had such a wicked sense of humor.
It was a privilege to have known him, to have worked with him and to have him as a friend and mentor.
Maggie Flanigan – Maggie Flanigan Studio – Remembering Bill Esper
When I spoke with Bill 9 months ago he said to me that he thought in some way he had been instrumental in the success of my studio. And indeed he was. He was my mentor and artistic father.
And in my work I have tried to honor Bill and Sandy — their work, their standards and their love of actors and the art of acting.
William Esper was the preeminent acting teacher in NYC when I trained with him as an actress and then as a teacher. He was also the authentic interpreter of Sandy Meisner ‘s work.
Bill had high standards and he held his student’s feet to the fire so they could be the best actors they could be. His students loved him. And they still tell their “Bill Tales” even if they worked with him 20 years ago. Bill had such a wicked sense of humor.
It was a privilege to have known him, to have worked with him and to have him as a friend and mentor.
When I spoke with Bill 9 months ago he said to me that he thought in some way he had been instrumental in the success of my studio. And indeed he was. He was my mentor and artistic father.
And in my work I have tried to honor Bill and Sandy — their work, their standards and their love of actors and the art of acting.
Actors who commit to the professional actor training at the Maggie Flanigan Studio establish the skills and tools that they need to succeed as professional actors. Hailey Vest talks to Katie about the confidence that she has gained at auditions and the actors who are inspiring her right now.
18 Month Acting Programs in New York – Maggie Flanigan Studio – (917) 789-1599
Q: How were your auditions before you started the 18-month program?
A: I felt pretty good with them. Like you leave the room, and it’s this moment of like, “I did the best I could. Okay. Cool.” Or, “That was horrendous.” We’ve all had those auditions like it’s just not great [laughs]. With the training that I have here is you walk into the audition, you are so emotionally prepared, “I know exactly what I’m doing. I know what I want to do.” I do it, and it’s like, “I did it. Okay. That was it. I could have– maybe I was off maybe by 10%, but I know what I need to fix,” or you leave the room, “I nailed that, that was the best I could have done.” I feel it’s that euphoric energy that you have. I want to leave every audition room feeling that way, and that’s what this studio provides.
Q: Tell us about your worst audition.
A: Oh gosh. I think– worst audition. There’s always these moments where I feel that you can have a terrible audition, but you can also have an exciting director who is having a little too much fun playing with the actors. You have those terrible auditions where it’s just like that was– I remember I was in an audition, it was for a film. I booked it, but it was this scene where I was supposed to be talking to my friend and trying to make her see why we had to go to a party and find this guy, and I did it. The director was like, “That was great. Now, can you do it as if there were two dogs having sex in front of you?”
"I now walk into the audition and I am so emotionally prepared. I know exactly what I'm doing. I know what I want to do and I do it."
Hailey VestStudent, January Acting Program
You’re just doing– you’re trying to reread it in a way and go with it and take the note. I don’t know, it was weird. I booked it, but it was so uncomfortable. Then at the end, they’re like, “Yes, I feel like I could see the dogs on the floor.” I’m like, “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.” I just wanted to go to the party with my friend to find this guy. That’s all I wanted.
Q: Who was one person that influenced your decision to become an actor?
A: It always changes. I think the first person– it ever breaks, but Judy Garland. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like her. Because I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz and my first lead role as Dorothy, which made me love her that much more. Just like being able to see her, she goes on stage, and it’s effortless. She’s singing, she’s dancing, and she’s just having the time of her life. It just looks so simple, that’s what it should be. They were talking about this in class the other day of like, our job is to make the complicated look simple, and it’s just she nailed it.
Someone who I love right now, I love Claire Foy. She’s incredible– Oh, my God, she kills me. I love her. I also got to see a panel with Olivia Wilde recently, about a year ago. It’s just her passion and even just this like female drive of like, “I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines now. Come on, ladies, let’s do this.” It’s just so inspiring. I’m like, “Yes, we’re going to write our material, we’re going, telling the truth, and I’m not just going to be here to look pretty for you.” It’s just like, “Let’s do this.”
It’s just I’m allowed to feel my emotions, I’m allowed to explore them thoroughly. I think that we’re stepping into a time of theater and film where that’s actually what people want to see, and people want to play with. These are the only roles I can play. It’s a little, and I like that.
Q: What artists inspire your scene work right now?
A: My scene right now, it’s very messy. It’s taken me a good couple of weeks to wrap my head around from where I’m coming from because, in the beginning, I could not understand my character, Allison, at all. I didn’t follow her. I recently saw an interview with Amy Adams because she’s in Sharp Objects which is on HBO right now, which is fantastic.
She’s had this super long career and how her rules have changed, and she’s like, “I am a mess in real life, and this is the first time I’ve ever been able to play someone who’s a mess. It’s refreshing, and also I get to capitalize on because everybody’s a mess in their way. To be able to walk into a room and not apologize for it.”
That translated over to my scene because I was just in this situation I’m in this room, I am uncomfortable, I want so many different things. I am a mess, and I am ashamed for it and embarrassed for it. Then at the same time, it’s me, and it’s my truth, and I have to live it through and not know what’s on the other side. That resonated with me very recently.
Q: How do you relieve stress after a tough class?
A: I’m still working on that because I’m originally from Colorado, so I’m used to living in the mountains and being around nature and trees and real trees and mountains and elevation. For me, being in the city is always a little bit difficult because I feel very trapped, but I’ve been working on breathwork recently — Breathwork and trying to find a park or a community garden and just sitting in there and decompressing. I took the Reiki class; I think it was two weeks ago.
A: I have never released so much tension in a small amount of time and then felt like– it was the calmest I’ve ever felt in probably the last ten years. My whole body felt different. I’ve done yoga, and I’ve been to classes similar to this where they’re like, “You could have this experience.” You’re like, “Okay, but how?” We got in there, and it was terrific. I’m so glad that we have Reiki for actors now.
Q: What gets you fired up and going?
A: Oh gosh. Fired up and going, I mean it’s usually people disrespecting my time because we got things to do. This city moves, we’ve got to go places. I think sadly right now, the idea that kills me, and I can’t get past and I will, but dishes in the sink. I don’t know what it is, but I think I’ve attached some metaphorical [laughs] some response to it. My boyfriend, he’s an angel. He’s doing so well trying to deal with it. Dishes will be in the sink; I’ll walk by and just let out a scream of rage like, “I’m sorry.”
A: At the dishes. It’s so benign and ridiculous. That’s what it is right now.
18-Month Acting Program in January – Maggie Flanigan Studio – (917) 789-1599
January Acting Programs at Maggie Flanigan Studio
The January New York acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is an acting program created for serious actors that lasts for 18 months. Students who are ready to commit to developing the work ethic of professional actors should apply online for acceptance into the studio programs. Actors who have questions about the January acting program should call the studio at 917-789-1599.
Actors who commit to the professional actor training at the Maggie Flanigan Studio establish the skills and tools that they need to succeed as professional actors. Hailey Vest talks to Katie about the confidence that she has gained at auditions and the actors who are inspiring her right now.
Q: How were your auditions before you started the 18-month program?
A: I felt pretty good with them. Like you leave the room, and it's this moment of like, "I did the best I could. Okay. Cool." Or, "That was horrendous." We've all had those auditions like it's just not great [laughs]. With the training that I have here is you walk into the audition, you are so emotionally prepared, "I know exactly what I'm doing. I know what I want to do." I do it, and it's like, "I did it. Okay. That was it. I could have-- maybe I was off maybe by 10%, but I know what I need to fix," or you leave the room, "I nailed that, that was the best I could have done." I feel it's that euphoric energy that you have. I want to leave every audition room feeling that way, and that's what this studio provides.
Q: Tell us about your worst audition.
A: Oh gosh. I think-- worst audition. There's always these moments where I feel that you can have a terrible audition, but you can also have an exciting director who is having a little too much fun playing with the actors. You have those terrible auditions where it's just like that was-- I remember I was in an audition, it was for a film. I booked it, but it was this scene where I was supposed to be talking to my friend and trying to make her see why we had to go to a party and find this guy, and I did it. The director was like, "That was great. Now, can you do it as if there were two dogs having sex in front of you?"
You're just doing-- you're trying to reread it in a way and go with it and take the note. I don't know, it was weird. I booked it, but it was so uncomfortable. Then at the end, they're like, "Yes, I feel like I could see the dogs on the floor." I'm like, "That's great. I'm so happy for you." I just wanted to go to the party with my friend to find this guy. That's all I wanted.
Q: Who was one person that influenced your decision to become an actor?
A: It always changes. I think the first person-- it ever breaks, but Judy Garland. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like her. Because I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz and my first lead role as Dorothy, which made me love her that much more. Just like being able to see her, she goes on stage, and it's effortless. She's singing, she's dancing, and she's just having the time of her life. It just looks so simple, that's what it should be. They were talking about this in class the other day of like, our job is to make the complicated look simple, and it's just she nailed it.
Someone who I love right now, I love Claire Foy. She's incredible-- Oh, my God, she kills me. I love her. I also got to see a panel with Olivia Wilde recently, about a year ago. It's just her passion and even just this like female drive of like, "I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines now. Come on, ladies, let's do this." It's just so inspiring. I'm like, "Yes, we're going to write our material, we're going, telling the truth, and I'm not just going to be here to look pretty for you." It's just like, "Let's do this."
It's just I'm allowed to feel my emotions, I'm allowed to explore them thoroughly. I think that we're stepping into a time of theater and film where that's actually what people want to see, and people want to play with. These are the only roles I can play. It's a little, and I like that.
Q: What artists inspire your scene work right now?
A: My scene right now, it's very messy. It's taken me a good couple of weeks to wrap my head around from where I'm coming from because, in the beginning, I could not understand my character, Allison, at all. I didn't follow her. I recently saw an interview with Amy Adams because she's in Sharp Objects which is on HBO right now, which is fantastic.
She's had this super long career and how her rules have changed, and she's like, "I am a mess in real life, and this is the first time I've ever been able to play someone who's a mess. It's refreshing, and also I get to capitalize on because everybody's a mess in their way. To be able to walk into a room and not apologize for it."
That translated over to my scene because I was just in this situation I'm in this room, I am uncomfortable, I want so many different things. I am a mess, and I am ashamed for it and embarrassed for it. Then at the same time, it's me, and it's my truth, and I have to live it through and not know what's on the other side. That resonated with me very recently.
Q: How do you relieve stress after a tough class?
A: I'm still working on that because I'm originally from Colorado, so I'm used to living in the mountains and being around nature and trees and real trees and mountains and elevation. For me, being in the city is always a little bit difficult because I feel very trapped, but I've been working on breathwork recently — Breathwork and trying to find a park or a community garden and just sitting in there and decompressing. I took the Reiki class; I think it was two weeks ago.
A: I have never released so much tension in a small amount of time and then felt like-- it was the calmest I've ever felt in probably the last ten years. My whole body felt different. I've done yoga, and I've been to classes similar to this where they're like, "You could have this experience." You're like, "Okay, but how?" We got in there, and it was terrific. I'm so glad that we have Reiki for actors now.
Q: What gets you fired up and going?
A: Oh gosh. Fired up and going, I mean it's usually people disrespecting my time because we got things to do. This city moves, we've got to go places. I think sadly right now, the idea that kills me, and I can't get past and I will, but dishes in the sink. I don't know what it is, but I think I've attached some metaphorical [laughs] some response to it. My boyfriend, he's an angel. He's doing so well trying to deal with it. Dishes will be in the sink; I'll walk by and just let out a scream of rage like, "I'm sorry."
A: At the dishes. It's so benign and ridiculous. That's what it is right now.
January Acting Programs at Maggie Flanigan Studio
The January New York acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is an acting program created for serious actors that lasts for 18 months. Students who are ready to commit to developing the work ethic of professional actors should apply online for acceptance into the studio programs. Actors who have questions about the January acting program should call the studio at 917-789-1599.
The best 18-month acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio starts the first week of January every year. The acting program is an accelerated two-year acting program. In this interview, Sam Super talks about his experience with acting classes and the Meisner technique before he came to the studio.
Best 18-month Acting Program – Sam Super Interview 02 – (917) 789-1599
Q: Did you study acting anywhere else before you came to the studio?
A: Well, I come from a family of actors. Both my father and my grandmother were actors and had been members of SAG and had done productions and things like that. As a kid, I never really wanted to get into it. They would try to drag me to auditions or drag me to acting classes, and I wanted to play on the playground or do other things. It wasn’t until later in life when I started working in the corporate world that I decided I wanted to give an acting class and acting a try. I took some local acting classes near where I lived in Connecticut and then just decided to make the jump to a real program.
Q: Did you study the Meisner technique anywhere else?
A: I did study the Meisner technique at one program I was going to call the Axl theatre in Westchester, but it was nothing compared to this program. We skipped probably six or seven steps ahead of what we did here. It was kind of an accelerated schedule.
Q: How was the Meisner training at Maggie Flanigan Studio different than what you expected?
A: I think it’s a lot more nuanced when you get into it than what people may see on the surface. A lot of times you see actors, and it looks like it comes so natural to them but what isn’t seen is all the work behind the scenes. All the preparation and time it takes to get to it so that it looks that easy. That’s what I underestimated.
Q: Were there any specific problems that led you to seek professional training?
A: Sure, I spent about a year auditioning for student films and doing a lot of backgrounds and extra work. I was starting to look at some of the video auditions I was doing. I realized that I was not only overacting, but I also wasn’t able to get the energy that I needed for those roles. The school has kind taught me to pick it up when I need to and have a little bit more consistency than being all over the place where I was before my training.
Q: What were the concrete steps that led you to commit to training at the studio?
A: Well, I interviewed for here and then decided three weeks later to join. I’ve probably skipped a couple of steps, but I basically got to the point where I figured out if I really was going to take acting seriously, I was going to need to do real actor training and really focus and put my time and energy into it, instead of just milling around and going by the seat of my pants.
18 Month Acting Program – Sam Super Interview – (917) 789-1599
Q: Why did you choose the two-year program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio?
A: Well, I only interviewed for Maggie Flanigan. That was the only one I wanted to be with. I had met someone who had gone through the first year of the program, and I knew I was looking for something in a Meisner based technique. I came and interviewed with Charlie, and just everything seemed to fall into place. With the timing of everything happened to me that I just made the decision, “All right I’m either going to go for this now, or I’m never going to do this.”
Q: You mentioned you were auditioning before you started the January class. How did you feel about auditions before you came to the studio?
A: Well, I realized that before I took this class, I wasn’t preparing what I thought was preparation. What I thought was getting me where I needed to go for an audition was only surface level stuff. Maggie Flanigan has taught me how to get down to the nitty-gritty and fine-tune those details to help me get everything I need to do so that when I walk into the room, I know exactly what I need to do to get where I want to be.
Q: Tell us about your worst audition?
A: I’m not a morning person. I had an audition that’s supposed to be at 9:00 AM in the morning, and I drank way too much coffee beforehand. I was just a jittery mess. I was all over the place. There wasn’t a look that I said or did anything. It was just the feeling. I was also just like I don’t know if the guys thought I was on drugs or something, but I was just like way too shaky and jittery than I needed to be for the role I was auditioning for.
Q: How do you feel about auditions now completed the first year of the January class, has your process changed?
A: It’s changed a lot. Specific tools I’ve added in techniques as far as– now I’m starting to craft around the characters and I’m going to play even for a cold read. I’m a lot more prepared for something like that because I’ve gone over that before and done that. I am just being able to know if this is going to be an audition for a sad role. I know the particular song I need to play to get me there. I know I need to do stretching beforehand. These are some of the things I need to do to get in the right mental mind frame to be able to put my best foot forward and audition.
Best 18-month Acting Program – Maggie Flanigan Studio – Call (917) 789-1599
The Best 18-month Acting Program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio
The best 18-month acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio starts the first week of January every year. The acting program is an accelerated two-year acting program. In this interview, Sam Super talks about his experience with acting classes and the Meisner technique before he came to the studio.
Q: Did you study acting anywhere else before you came to the studio?
A: Well, I come from a family of actors. Both my father and my grandmother were actors and had been members of SAG and had done productions and things like that. As a kid, I never really wanted to get into it. They would try to drag me to auditions or drag me to acting classes, and I wanted to play on the playground or do other things. It wasn't until later in life when I started working in the corporate world that I decided I wanted to give an acting class and acting a try. I took some local acting classes near where I lived in Connecticut and then just decided to make the jump to a real program.
Q: Did you study the Meisner technique anywhere else?
A: I did study the Meisner technique at one program I was going to call the Axl theatre in Westchester, but it was nothing compared to this program. We skipped probably six or seven steps ahead of what we did here. It was kind of an accelerated schedule.
Q: How was the Meisner training at Maggie Flanigan Studio different than what you expected?
A: I think it's a lot more nuanced when you get into it than what people may see on the surface. A lot of times you see actors, and it looks like it comes so natural to them but what isn't seen is all the work behind the scenes. All the preparation and time it takes to get to it so that it looks that easy. That's what I underestimated.
Q: Were there any specific problems that led you to seek professional training?
A: Sure, I spent about a year auditioning for student films and doing a lot of backgrounds and extra work. I was starting to look at some of the video auditions I was doing. I realized that I was not only overacting, but I also wasn't able to get the energy that I needed for those roles. The school has kind taught me to pick it up when I need to and have a little bit more consistency than being all over the place where I was before my training.
Q: What were the concrete steps that led you to commit to training at the studio?
A: Well, I interviewed for here and then decided three weeks later to join. I've probably skipped a couple of steps, but I basically got to the point where I figured out if I really was going to take acting seriously, I was going to need to do real actor training and really focus and put my time and energy into it, instead of just milling around and going by the seat of my pants.
Q: Why did you choose the two-year program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio?
A: Well, I only interviewed for Maggie Flanigan. That was the only one I wanted to be with. I had met someone who had gone through the first year of the program, and I knew I was looking for something in a Meisner based technique. I came and interviewed with Charlie, and just everything seemed to fall into place. With the timing of everything happened to me that I just made the decision, "All right I'm either going to go for this now, or I'm never going to do this."
Q: You mentioned you were auditioning before you started the January class. How did you feel about auditions before you came to the studio?
A: Well, I realized that before I took this class, I wasn't preparing what I thought was preparation. What I thought was getting me where I needed to go for an audition was only surface level stuff. Maggie Flanigan has taught me how to get down to the nitty-gritty and fine-tune those details to help me get everything I need to do so that when I walk into the room, I know exactly what I need to do to get where I want to be.
Q: Tell us about your worst audition?
A: I'm not a morning person. I had an audition that's supposed to be at 9:00 AM in the morning, and I drank way too much coffee beforehand. I was just a jittery mess. I was all over the place. There wasn't a look that I said or did anything. It was just the feeling. I was also just like I don't know if the guys thought I was on drugs or something, but I was just like way too shaky and jittery than I needed to be for the role I was auditioning for.
Q: How do you feel about auditions now completed the first year of the January class, has your process changed?
A: It's changed a lot. Specific tools I've added in techniques as far as-- now I'm starting to craft around the characters and I'm going to play even for a cold read. I'm a lot more prepared for something like that because I've gone over that before and done that. I am just being able to know if this is going to be an audition for a sad role. I know the particular song I need to play to get me there. I know I need to do stretching beforehand. These are some of the things I need to do to get in the right mental mind frame to be able to put my best foot forward and audition.
The Best 18-month Acting Program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio
18 month acting program new york - Sydney Nordan - maggie flanigan studio 03 - (917) 789-1599 The 18-month acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is a Meisner based acting program for serious actors who are commuted to professional actor training. In this interview with Sydney Nordan, Sydney talks about the decision to leave college and semi pro soccer to train at the studio. Q: Sydney, tell me about your background in acting? I actually did not study anywhere else, and I don't really have any kind of background in acting. Q: What did you think Meisner training was before you started the 18-month program at Maggie Flanigan Studio? I actually knew really nothing about acting, and I actually read about it on this studio, our website online. Then I looked into a few other places and other definitions of it, but I really didn't understand it fully until I came here. Q: What were the specific steps that led you to Maggie Flanigan Studio? I knew that I really wanted to be serious about acting, and I wanted to find a very serious studio. I was ready to commit myself and my time 100%. I actually researched about a lot of studios in New York, and I called and actually talked to you on the phone. I asked you a ton of questions. Then I came in and I had an interview with Karen. I was going to interview at other studios actually, and I wasn't completely set until I met with Karen and Charlie. I just got this incredible vibe about this studio and what they were doing and how passionate they were when they talked and how they treated me. After my interview-- I actually cried with my interview with Karen. After my interview, I was like, "Let me come. Let me be here, please." Then I joined the studio after that. Maggie Flanigan Studio 153 W 27th St #803 New York, New York 10001 +1 917-789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/goo.gl/maps/oxqqExybwL32plus.google.com/112291205845820496849 https://flic.kr/p/RY6uUy
18 month acting program new york - Sydney Nordan - maggie flanigan studio 02 - (917) 789-1599 Q: Where were you living before you moved to New York? Did you move here specifically to pursue your acting career? Absolutely. I moved here-- I originally had no plans. I'm from Alabama. I’ve transferred up here to play soccer in college actually from the University of Alabama. I played in Connecticut for two years. Then when I decided and I started into this program, I was actually commuting about two and a half hours and I was playing soccer. I was going to college, I was taking eight classes because I was ready to graduate. I was working two jobs and it just-- this program was absolutely worth it to me. We were doing our scenes. Charlie came in to visit and to see our scenes, which he does in first year. He told us after our class, he was just like, "If you want to do this work, you have to fully commit. You need to be here, be on time, and everything like that." I sat in my seat and I sobbed because I realized I was doing so many other things that I couldn't fully commit. I actually have played soccer my entire life. I played semi-professional and professionally overseas. I did not end up finishing out my last year of eligibility in college. I had one more year, I did not do it. I decided right then in that class when he talked to us that I was moving to New York. I actually moved in with a girl who is going to the studio right now and we’re best friends and we live together. It’s been amazing, but I did commute for the whole first-- the January session. Maggie Flanigan Studio 153 W 27th St #803 New York, New York 10001 +1 917-789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/goo.gl/maps/oxqqExybwL32plus.google.com/112291205845820496849 https://flic.kr/p/2d18rdA
18 month acting program new york - Sydney Nordan - maggie flanigan studio 01 - (917) 789-1599 Q: Did your family support your decision to move here? My family doesn’t know that I'm up here acting actually. They think it's a hobby. I made the move by myself. I did everything by myself. My cousins, they support me and my acting friends here support me and they’re my family here. That's all that really hasn't mattered to me. My parents just wouldn't understand the whole turn from-- I was supposed to go down this road and then completely changed my life to a career that isn't always stable and they don’t get that, but you know, like I said, my friends here are my family and I love it. Acting has completely fulfilled my life and I have never been happier than I am right now at the studio. Q: What advice would you give to people or prospective students watching this video who are thinking about moving to NYC to train? Get ready. It's going to be a great ride. Honestly, you learn so much about yourself. I didn't even know who I was until I came here. I'm actually gay and my family doesn't even know. I was so conflicted on the inside about that. Last year through the acting training, I came completely out because I couldn't hide it anymore. You just learn how to look at other people and look at the world in such a new perspective. I think that you should be aware when you come to training that that's what's going to happen to you. You are going to open up. You are going to be emotionalized. I don't know, the world is just a really bright place. It's really good. Q: Do you have any advice for people who are feeling anxious or scared or nervous? It was a hard journey but I ultimately, I needed to do this. I needed to do it for myself. I knew my family wasn't going to be completely behind me. I honestly believe that this is your life. You have to do what is going to make you happy, ultimately. That's just, that's really it. Be ready. You're going to have your days. I had a day that I just broke down and just and cried. I was like, "What am I doing? My whole life is different." There is such beauty in that, your life is going to change. Everyone evolves. I think, honestly, just step into it with courage and go for it. Just be happy. Maggie Flanigan Studio 153 W 27th St #803 New York, New York 10001 +1 917-789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/goo.gl/maps/oxqqExybwL32plus.google.com/112291205845820496849 https://flic.kr/p/RY6uXj
Sydney Nordan is an actor at the Maggie Flanigan Studio in New York City. In this interview Sydney talks about the decision to train at the studio and what it has been like coming out while she was enrolled in the program. Q: Sydney, tell me about your background in acting? I actually did not study anywhere else, and I don't really have any kind of background in acting. Q: What did you think Meisner training was before you started the 18-month program at Maggie Flanigan Studio? I actually knew really nothing about acting, and I actually read about it on this studio, our website online. Then I looked into a few other places and other definitions of it, but I really didn't understand it fully until I came here. Q: What were the specific steps that led you to Maggie Flanigan Studio? I knew that I really wanted to be serious about acting, and I wanted to find a very serious studio. I was ready to commit myself and my time 100%. I actually researched about a lot of studios in New York, and I called and actually talked to you on the phone. I asked you a ton of questions. Then I came in and I had an interview with Karen. I was going to interview at other studios actually, and I wasn't completely set until I met with Karen and Charlie. I just got this incredible vibe about this studio and what they were doing and how passionate they were when they talked and how they treated me. After my interview-- I actually cried with my interview with Karen. After my interview, I was like, "Let me come. Let me be here, please." Then I joined the studio after that. Q: Where were you living before you moved to New York? Did you move here specifically to pursue your acting career? Absolutely. I moved here-- I originally had no plans. I'm from Alabama. I’ve transferred up here to play soccer in college actually from the University of Alabama. I played in Connecticut for two years. Then when I decided and I started into this program, I was actually commuting about two and a half hours and I was playing soccer. I was going to college, I was taking eight classes because I was ready to graduate. I was working two jobs and it just-- this program was absolutely worth it to me. We were doing our scenes. Charlie came in to visit and to see our scenes, which he does in first year. He told us after our class, he was just like, "If you want to do this work, you have to fully commit. You need to be here, be on time, and everything like that." I sat in my seat and I sobbed because I realized I was doing so many other things that I couldn't fully commit. I actually have played soccer my entire life. I played semi-professional and professionally overseas. I did not end up finishing out my last year of eligibility in college. I had one more year, I did not do it. I decided right then in that class when he talked to us that I was moving to New York. I actually moved in with a girl who is going to the studio right now and we’re best friends and we live together. It’s been amazing, but I did commute for the whole first-- the January session. Q: Did your family support your decision to move here? My family doesn’t know that I'm up here acting actually. They think it's a hobby. I made the move by myself. I did everything by myself. My cousins, they support me and my acting friends here support me and they’re my family here. That's all that really hasn't mattered to me. My parents just wouldn't understand the whole turn from-- I was supposed to go down this road and then completely changed my life to a career that isn't always stable and they don’t get that, but you know, like I said, my friends here are my family and I love it. Acting has completely fulfilled my life and I have never been happier than I am right now at the studio. Q: What advice would you give to people or prospective students watching this video who are thinking about moving to NYC to train? Get ready. It's going to be a great ride. Honestly, you learn so much about yourself. I didn't even know who I was until I came here. I'm actually gay and my family doesn't even know. I was so conflicted on the inside about that. Last year through the acting training, I came completely out because I couldn't hide it anymore. You just learn how to look at other people and look at the world in such a new perspective. I think that you should be aware when you come to training that that's what's going to happen to you. You are going to open up. You are going to be emotionalized. I don't know, the world is just a really bright place. It's really good. Q: Do you have any advice for people who are feeling anxious or scared or nervous? It was a hard journey but I ultimately, I needed to do this. I needed to do it for myself. I knew my family wasn't going to be completely behind me. I honestly believe that this is your life. You have to do what is going to make you happy, ultimately. That's just, that's really it. Be ready. You're going to have your days. I had a day that I just broke down and just and cried. I was like, "What am I doing? My whole life is different." There is such beauty in that, your life is going to change. Everyone evolves. I think, honestly, just step into it with courage and go for it. Just be happy. Learn more about Karen Chamberlain, Charlie Sandlan and the acting programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio by visiting the acting programs page on the studio website. Actors who are interested in applying for the 18 month acting program should apply online and contact the studio at (917) 789-1599 to arrange a personal interview with Charlie Sandlan. https://flic.kr/p/2e2wgeq
The eighteen month acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is an accelerated acting program based on Meisner acting techniques and principles. Oriana, a student in the acting program, talks about what it was like auditioning without professional training and her decision to start training in the acting program at the studio. Q: Oriana, tell me about your background in acting. What were you doing before you came to the studio? A: Before I started at the studio, I was studying Theater in general at Hunter College. It was a pretty good education, but I felt that as soon as I graduated, I wasn't ready to start auditioning and I wasn't sure what was missing for me. I decided to look into this studio where I had a lot of friends that had been here before, and they said terrible things about it. I was like, "Okay, I'll try it." Here I am." Q: Have you ever studied the Meisner technique before you started the program at Maggie Flanigan Studio? A: I was 18 when I found this studio that's focused on the Meisner technique. For me, that was a weird experience because I was very young, and it felt as if the program was intrusive in a lot of ways and I wasn't ready to dive into those parts of me. It was good once I started at this studio because I realized that the technique isn't intrusive at all. It allows you to find yourself, but it shouldn't feel like you're being violated emotionally. That was my experience way back, and it turned me off for a little bit, and then I decided to try it a few years later. Q: You mentioned it just right now, by saying that one of the things you've learned here is that it's not intrusive in any way. How is Meisner training at Maggie Flanigan studio different than what you expected? Well, I'm not sure what I was expecting to be honest, but it's demystified acting for me in a good way, where now I have so much more respect for it. I know that nothing is arbitrary. Everything you're watching there's an entire process, and knowing what that process feels rewarding, versus just being like, "Oh, I'm talented. I think I can dive into a script." I don't know if that makes any sense. Q: Were there any specific problems that led you to seek professional actor training? A: Well, for one, I definitely couldn't make any choice. I would go into an audition room and just flat, read the script, and it would be super flat. I was like, "I hope they're getting what I'm trying to do." It was horrible, both for them and for me watching each other go through this. I feel being comfortable with making choices and claiming the time of being on stage and feel like I had something to say. I feel like being at the studio has taught me that I am more of an artist than I gave myself credit for before and I do want to say certain things and make them clear. Q: How did you feel about auditions before you started the two-year acting program? A: Petrified. I was not ready to go out and audition, it just felt like the next thing that I had to do after college. After trying it out for a little bit, it just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. It wasn't because I wasn't right, it was only because I didn't know what I was doing. Q: If you started auditioning again tomorrow, how do you feel about auditions now? A: Absolutely. I feel when you go to an audition, you always feel like the people auditioning you have all of the power. Now, because I know what I'm doing and I'm sure I'll know even more once my two years they're done, I feel like it's a conversation at auditions. They're not as intimidating anymore. Q: What are the specific steps that led you to the studio? A: Well, I used to do costumes as well, and I was assisting someone on a show. I remember the main actress; she blew me away. There were three actors in the show. It was mad. I remember everyone was insanely talented, really hardworking, but something that stood out for me about her was that the stage managers loved her because she would hit every little thing that she had to do and keeping the same emotional life for as I saw the other actors had to play around a little bit, which was also excellent. The fact that they couldn't be as consistent as she was, and I was wondering how she did it. When I asked her, she said that she'd come to this studio. At that point, I was sold. That would be it for me. Q: Why did you choose the two-year program? A: That's something that I can't really-- As soon as I walked out of the elevator and I came in, I was like, "This is it." I didn't know what it was. There's just something about the space that feels sacred. It's just like it matches up with your passion like you're walking in and you don't know what you're doing, and then you open the door. I remember there was this little thing on one of the walls that it's like, "The home of the serious actor." I remember looking at that and being like, "Okay, I'm home. This is it. This is the next step." To learn more about the eighteen month acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, as well as the other acting programs at the studio, visit the acting programs page on the studio website. Interested actors with questions about enrollment and class schedules should call the studio directly at 917-789-1599. https://flic.kr/p/2e291xf
Eighteen Month Acting Program New York NY – Maggie Flanigan Studio – (917) 789-1599
Acting Demystified – The Eighteen Month Acting Program
Q: Oriana, tell me about your background in acting.
A: Before I started at the studio, I was studying Theater in general at Hunter College. It was a pretty good education, but I felt that as soon as I graduated, I wasn’t ready to start auditioning and I wasn’t sure what was missing for me. I decided to look into this studio where I had a lot of friends that had been here before, and they said terrible things about it. I was like, “Okay, I’ll try it.” Here I am.”
Q: Have you ever studied the Meisner technique before you started the acting program here?
A: I was 18 when I found this studio that’s focused on the Meisner technique. For me, that was a weird experience because I was very young, and it felt as if the program was intrusive in a lot of ways and I wasn’t ready to dive into those parts of me. It was good once I started at this studio because I realized that the technique isn’t intrusive at all. It allows you to find yourself, but it shouldn’t feel like you’re being violated emotionally. That was my experience way back, and it turned me off for a little bit, and then I decided to try it a few years later.
When you go to an audition, you always feel like the people auditioning you have all of the power. Now, because I know what I'm doing, I feel like it's a conversation at auditions. They are not as intimidating anymore.
Well, I’m not sure what I was expecting to be honest, but it’s demystified acting for me in a good way, where now I have so much more respect for it. I know that nothing is arbitrary. Everything you’re watching there’s an entire process, and knowing what that process feels rewarding, versus just being like, “Oh, I’m talented. I think I can dive into a script.” I don’t know if that makes any sense.
A: Well, for one, I definitely couldn’t make any choice. I would go into an audition room and just flat, read the script, and it would be super flat. I was like, “I hope they’re getting what I’m trying to do.” It was horrible, both for them and for me watching each other go through this. I feel being comfortable with making choices and claiming the time of being on stage and feel like I had something to say. I feel like being at the studio has taught me that I am more of an artist than I gave myself credit for before and I do want to say certain things and make them clear.
Q: How did you feel about auditions before you started the two-year acting program?
A: Petrified. I was not ready to go out and audition, it just felt like the next thing that I had to do after college. After trying it out for a little bit, it just felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. It wasn’t because I wasn’t right, it was only because I didn’t know what I was doing.
Q: If you started auditioning again tomorrow, how would you feel about auditions?
A: Absolutely. I feel when you go to an audition, you always feel like the people auditioning you have all of the power. Now, because I know what I’m doing and I’m sure I’ll know even more once my two years they’re done, I feel like it’s a conversation at auditions. They’re not as intimidating anymore.
Q: What are the specific steps that led you to the studio?
A: Well, I used to do costumes as well, and I was assisting someone on a show. I remember the main actress; she blew me away. There were three actors in the show. It was mad. I remember everyone was insanely talented, really hardworking, but something that stood out for me about her was that the stage managers loved her because she would hit every little thing that she had to do and keeping the same emotional life for as I saw the other actors had to play around a little bit, which was also excellent.
The fact that they couldn’t be as consistent as she was, and I was wondering how she did it. When I asked her, she said that she’d come to this studio. At that point, I was sold. That would be it for me.
Q: Why did you choose the two-year program?
A: As soon as I walked out of the elevator and I came in, I was like, “This is it.” I didn’t know what it was. There’s just something about the space that feels sacred. It’s just like it matches up with your passion like you’re walking in and you don’t know what you’re doing, and then you open the door. I remember there was this little thing on one of the walls that it’s like, “The home of the serious actor.” I remember looking at that and being like, “Okay, I’m home. This is it. This is the next step.”
Eighteen Month Acting Program New York NY – Karen Chamberlain – (917) 789-1599
Apply for Admission to the Eighteen Month Acting Program
Acting Demystified - The Eighteen Month Acting Program
Q: Oriana, tell me about your background in acting.
A: Before I started at the studio, I was studying Theater in general at Hunter College. It was a pretty good education, but I felt that as soon as I graduated, I wasn't ready to start auditioning and I wasn't sure what was missing for me. I decided to look into this studio where I had a lot of friends that had been here before, and they said terrible things about it. I was like, "Okay, I'll try it." Here I am."
Q: Have you ever studied the Meisner technique before you started the acting program here?
A: I was 18 when I found this studio that's focused on the Meisner technique. For me, that was a weird experience because I was very young, and it felt as if the program was intrusive in a lot of ways and I wasn't ready to dive into those parts of me. It was good once I started at this studio because I realized that the technique isn't intrusive at all. It allows you to find yourself, but it shouldn't feel like you're being violated emotionally. That was my experience way back, and it turned me off for a little bit, and then I decided to try it a few years later.
Well, I'm not sure what I was expecting to be honest, but it's demystified acting for me in a good way, where now I have so much more respect for it. I know that nothing is arbitrary. Everything you're watching there's an entire process, and knowing what that process feels rewarding, versus just being like, "Oh, I'm talented. I think I can dive into a script." I don't know if that makes any sense.
A: Well, for one, I definitely couldn't make any choice. I would go into an audition room and just flat, read the script, and it would be super flat. I was like, "I hope they're getting what I'm trying to do." It was horrible, both for them and for me watching each other go through this. I feel being comfortable with making choices and claiming the time of being on stage and feel like I had something to say. I feel like being at the studio has taught me that I am more of an artist than I gave myself credit for before and I do want to say certain things and make them clear.
Q: How did you feel about auditions before you started the two-year acting program?
A: Petrified. I was not ready to go out and audition, it just felt like the next thing that I had to do after college. After trying it out for a little bit, it just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. It wasn't because I wasn't right, it was only because I didn't know what I was doing.
Q: If you started auditioning again tomorrow, how would you feel about auditions?
A: Absolutely. I feel when you go to an audition, you always feel like the people auditioning you have all of the power. Now, because I know what I'm doing and I'm sure I'll know even more once my two years they're done, I feel like it's a conversation at auditions. They're not as intimidating anymore.
Q: What are the specific steps that led you to the studio?
A: Well, I used to do costumes as well, and I was assisting someone on a show. I remember the main actress; she blew me away. There were three actors in the show. It was mad. I remember everyone was insanely talented, really hardworking, but something that stood out for me about her was that the stage managers loved her because she would hit every little thing that she had to do and keeping the same emotional life for as I saw the other actors had to play around a little bit, which was also excellent.
The fact that they couldn't be as consistent as she was, and I was wondering how she did it. When I asked her, she said that she'd come to this studio. At that point, I was sold. That would be it for me.
Q: Why did you choose the two-year program?
A: As soon as I walked out of the elevator and I came in, I was like, "This is it." I didn't know what it was. There's just something about the space that feels sacred. It's just like it matches up with your passion like you're walking in and you don't know what you're doing, and then you open the door. I remember there was this little thing on one of the walls that it's like, "The home of the serious actor." I remember looking at that and being like, "Okay, I'm home. This is it. This is the next step."
Apply for Admission to the Eighteen Month Acting Program
