John at the Actory in Miami

SCHEDULE  

FRIDAY, FERUARY 10TH

CHECK, PLEASE! (Part 1)| Ages 14+ | 6pm-9pm

Cap at 16 students

Need Original Content for your website or your Actors’ Access? This course will help you get it and will unfold in three stages.
1) You participate in the writing of a scene from an original scene template where you create critical portions of the dialogue or if two scene partners prefer, they can write their own totally original diner scene with John’s guidance, then–
2) Actors rehearse and re-tool the scene with their scene partner on Friday, Feb. 10th, then–
3) Actors perform scenes on tape on either Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon

The background for the scene will be a diner/restaurant. It could be a date, a break-up or both, a betrayal or possibly, the discovery of a murder. Scenes will begin or end with the line “Check, please!”

As soon as actors register, they will be teamed up with a partner, then scheduled for a zoom appointment with John, where they will decide the direction of the scene. Actors can just perform an original script without being involved in the writing or they can have a hand in crafting their own.

If you’re willing to get creative with a scene and risk something in the process, this is the course for you! 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH

Magic Rectangle | Age Range: 7-13 | 9:30-11:30 AM

De-mystify acting for the camera with John’s simple math for delivering dynamic and indelible on-camera performances. John’s simple camera math technique will immediately improve student’s taped auditions by imposing structure on the imaginary canvas of the fourth wall that exists around the camera. This is a great place to start if you have not previously trained with John. This is one of John’s signature classes that he has taught in Hollywood and across America. Get ready for your taped auditions to dramatically improve!
 

Active Interrogation | Ages 7-13 |12-2 PM

Acting Interrogation is a technique, developed by John D’Aquino, that infuses true human reaction into scripted lines. Actors typically experience a disconnect between how they would organically respond versus how they respond to a line of dialogue they were anticipating. This technique illuminates human traits that you use every day that you may not understand how to employ in your work. The great thing is, you’re already doing it! You’re just not bringing it to your work. 

Vixens, Villains, and Voldemorts: Becoming the Villian | Ages 14+ | 2:30-5 PM

Often, the Hero isn’t the most interesting character. The people we remember are the Villains! You know, the people we love to hate? But what makes a villain a villain? Why do we hate them? Why do they seem to be having so much fun being evil? In this course, we’ll dive into the background, archetypes, psychology, and nuances of these wonderfully, horrible characters and let you work on scenes with some psychotic and iconic antagonists. Tap into your ability to be evil, cunning and despicable and have a blast doing it!
 

CHECK, PLEASE! (Part 2) | Ages 14+ | 5:30-9 PM
Group 1

Content Creation performers (Group 1) will shoot their scenes according to their call time. We will set the stage with elements of a restaurant with waiters and customers in the background. This is where we finally bring your work to life! 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH

The Actor’s Environment | Ages 7-13 | 9:30-11:30 AM

EXT. GRAVEYARD – NIGHT. The cold breeze cuts to the bone. The spirits are restless and this will be a night like none other. For this is the night of the Reckoning.” – Are you interested, yet? Scared? Can you feel the cold wind? Do you see the strange clouds cutting across the moon? Are you shivering from the cold, the fear or both? Well… what if that’s the environment of the audition you are about to tape? Are you allowing the environment to affect your character? What if we change the location to Key West in August. How does the oppressive heat and humidity affect the mood of your character as you await the next big storm? Can you feel the weight of what lies ahead and does it fill you with trepidation?

Well, it’s our job to feel… everything! It’s what we get paid to do. Most actors don’t even allow the environment to affect their character, their behavior and their choices. Most actors, of course, don’t work. Working actors know that the key element that the great writers impose the environment upon the characters. How will you incorporate that into your character for the scene? Whether it’s an interior or exterior, busy city or desert landscape, the environment informs the actor. Learn how to become the character living truthfully in their environment and bring your auditions to life!
 

Active Interrogation | Ages 14+ |12-2 PM

Acting Interrogation is a technique, developed by John D’Aquino, that infuses true human reaction into scripted lines. Actors typically experience a disconnect between how they would organically respond versus how they respond to a line of dialogue they were anticipating. This technique illuminates human traits that you use every day that you may not understand how to employ in your work. The great thing is, you’re already doing it! You’re just not bringing it to your work. 

CHECK, PLEASE! (Part 2) | Ages 14+ | 2:30-6:30 PM
Group 2

Content Creation performers (Group 2) will shoot their scenes according to their call time. We will set the stage with elements of a restaurant with waiters and customers in the background. This is where we finally bring your work to life! 

PRICING

• One Class: $175 
• Two Classes: $250
• CHECK, Please! (Content Creation Course): $300