Intro is the first half of Session One of the Formal Training — the same Repetition work, the same emotional preparation, the same room — just paced so a working life can hold it.
The introductory class is not a workshop. It’s not an intensive. It’s not a highlight reel of exercises from the two-year program.
The Meisner technique is a brick-by-brick, step-by-step process where each class builds on the one before it. That’s exactly how the introductory class is taught.
What you’re receiving is the first half of Session One of the Formal Training, covered at a pace of once a week over three months. Class size is capped at 16 students. In spite of the demand, we don’t go beyond that. Every student works every class. That’s not possible in a larger group.
Each three-hour class starts right on time. There’s a brief introduction to the next element of the technique, and then you’re up on your feet immediately working with a partner. Your teacher will stop you, give you notes and adjustments, and you’ll go again. Then you sit down, another pair comes up, and you keep learning by watching. You’re not waiting your turn. You’re working the whole time.
Practice between classes matters. Sanford Meisner once told a student, “You’re under the impression you’re here to work. That’s a falsehood. You’re here to show me the fruits of your work.” Class is where you receive the next brick. What you do with it between sessions is up to you.
Session One isn’t about scripts, monologues, or camera work. There’s none of that yet. Other classes throw you in front of a camera with a script on the first day. Sandy felt that was a disservice. Before you can handle someone else’s words, you need to be present, focused, and free from the self-consciousness that kills authentic work.
By the end of the introductory class, most students have experienced the single biggest growth they’ve ever had as actors: the ability to get in front of other people and stop caring what people think. When that happens, stage fright starts to go away. As Sandy used to say, “It’s impossible to be nervous if your focus is off yourself.”
If you complete both introductory sessions back to back, you will have Session One of the Formal Training in place. Most students continue into Session Two from there.