QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Here are some of the frequently asked questions that actors, thinking about starting our scene study workshop, ask:

  • What is the Howey Acting Studio style of teaching?

The Howey Acting Studio is well known for guiding actors in finding and embracing their uniqueness. We use the Socratic* coaching approach, actors are challenged with pointed questions bringing the actor to an understanding of their own exclusive qualities that will make them a standout. Casting directors and audiences alike are attracted to an actor’s distinguishing qualities.

*Socratic: named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of inquiry and discussion between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas.

  • Why should I take a scene study workshop?

In scene study workshops actors develop a personal menu by working on character stories. Your menu is made up of the elements, the ingredients that you use to create a character. Scene study workshops are a safe place to test these elements. You may have qualities that you don’t bring to a character because you think they are too quirky or even embarrassing. However, these qualities may be what your characters need to have to bring them to life. Every actor must discover their range through trial and error in a supportive, challenging environment. That place is the Howey Acting Studio. See BECOMING A WORKING ACTOR

  • May I audit a class?

We do offer auditing but ours is a little different. Instead of coming into a class and watching the teacher, Carla Howey, critique actors you don’t know he wants you to audit him by making an appointment to come to the studio, perform a short monologue (1 to 3 mins) and he will critique it.  You will experience how Carla Howey teaches. Based on this meeting you and he can decide which class is right for you but there is no obligation to join the acting school and no charge for the critique.

The audit monologues are done on class nights at 5:15pm and run 20 mins or so. The class nights for the working audit are Tues, Wed, and Thursday. If you want to schedule an audit call 480-584-5184. The Audit Monologues are only for actors who have had prior training and have an agent.

For actors with no prior training  please contact Carla and she will set up a time for you to come to the studio meet Bill and Carla and look around.

(To schedule an appointment with Carla Howey email howeyactingstudio@gmail.com or call Carla Howey at 480-584-5184.)

  • On what days and what times do the acting classes meet?

All our acting classes are on-going and meet once a week. See CLASSES for days, times and prices.

  • How many actors do you have in each workshop at your acting school?

No more than 14 actors will be in a class. Because we are a scene study workshop we need two actors for each scene, that comes out to 7 scenes a night. Our classes run 6pm to 9pm. 7 scenes performed twice with a full in depth critique after each performance is all that we can do in the three hours. We need time to find your acting problems and fix them. Any more students in class shortens the amount of time each actors gets in the critique.

  • How often do we get to work?

Every actor works every class, either by doing a scene, a monologue or a cold read. You learn acting through doing, not watching. Workshops are for working first and networking a distant second.

  • How Do Your Classes Work?

Scenes are emailed to the actors; Carla chooses the scenes and partners. The scenes come from movies, TV shows, plays and sitcoms. We have thousands of scenes and cold reads. The actor memorizes the scene and prepares the story. It is not required to meet up with your scene partner and rehearse outside of class. We do the scenes in class as a “shoot” as that demands the actor listens and reacts in the moment. After the scene is presented Carla gives an in-depth, detailed critique. Based on these notes the actors perform the scene again. All scenes are done at least twice a night; more when there’s time. The scene is worked on during the next week and presented again. All scenes are performed twice a night for three weeks. Working a scene this way allows you to work on the character by becoming more personal, trying different approaches and allowing the teacher to address specific problems. It is this style of acting class that develops one’s acting overall and prepares the actor for auditions and for work on camera.

  • Do we pick our own scenes and scene partners?

The scenes and scene partners are picked for the students but actors may bring in their own scenes and request a particular student to work with. We have thousands of scenes from movies, TV shows and plays. We have hundred’s of cold reads for when we work on cold reads.

  • How long do we get to work on the scene?

All actors work on their scene for at least three weeks. Some actors want to work more weeks and they are allowed to. After the three weeks you are given a new scene and a new scene partner.

  • Do I have to schedule a rehearsal time with my scene partner outside of class?

No, we do the scenes in class as a “shoot”. But you can run lines with each other if you come to class early.

  • What makes your workshop different from other acting classes?

There is no outside-of-class rehearsal required. Second, you work every class. You’ll do your scene at least twice a class for three weeks. Third, our class is personal, honest and challenging. We want to let each actor know how they really come across. Sometimes this is not easy to hear. But actors should know how they come across before they audition not after. From this feedback they can make their choices and acting elements more personal. Acting classes should not be your career, they are what you do to get a career.