Classes

Scene Study

The BHP Approach to Acting, Administration, and Attitude is delivered through intensive scene study. Exercises are kept to a minimum at the BHP, as we want our actors to concentrate on disciplined, researched, high-quality scenes from good scripts, whether plays or movies, from writers like Shakespeare to Mamet and beyond. Actors rehearse the scenes outside class until they feel they have a finished product to bring into the class, and only then will a critique be delivered. Playing a cop? You’d better look like a cop, you better interview some cops. Playing a hooker? You’d better go walking along Santa Monica Blvd. and find one who you think is right for this part – nail the costume, the walk. Playing an addict? You’d better do the research about how that substance affects people, specifically. So, if you want a casual approach to scene study, where you run some lines until you have a scene memorized and kind of throw it up there and see what happens, the BHP is not for you.

Most classes at the BHP meet twice a week, for about four hours per class. Classes are taught on three different levels – Orientation, Intermediate, and Advanced – based on the experience of the applicant. Orientation would include anyone from beginners to college-level arts training, and Intermediate and Advanced are for actors and directors with more professional experience, with an eye as well to union memberships and representation being in place.

Music In Theatre

This is a special class where the BHP approach to Acting, Administration and Attitude is applied to artists in relation to music, encompassing not only Musical Theatre, but Cabaret, Opera, Singer/Songwriters, Pop, etc. The work in this class can include scenes and songs from established musicals, scenes from non-musical works with songs added, audition exercises, individual songs from all sources – literally anything musical. The class also encompasses voice and dance work – everything required to make the student professionally viable in musical theatre world. Open to both experienced musicians and actors who always wanted to sing but never had a place to work out, this class is where dreams of being on Broadway, developing a cabaret act or one-person show, or any dreams involving you and music can be realized. The workshop is taught by Broadway veteran actor Rick Podell, and meets once a week on Saturday afternoons.

Audition Classes

Many actors have difficulty translating what they know about acting to the audition process. Auditions become some hellish exercise where the fun of acting goes out the window, and can often be a major source of frustration regarding the profession. The BHP offers a special audition class where actors in our scene study program can focus once a week on the audition process. The class consists simply of drilled auditions – the actor is given “sides” to read, and other actors play the Casting Director, Producer, etc. The goal is to reduce the stress on this process, and make the actor aware of behaviors and habits that may well be impeding the talent within from making itself apparent.

The BHP Young People's Acting Program

Initial 10-week session: 2x a week, 4-6pm
Performance showcase at conclusion of session

At the Beverly Hills Playhouse we have a three tiered approach:
Acting - Actors will be guided through script and character analysis, rehearsal, blocking and performance of scenes, as well as a series of developmental exercises.
Attitude - Getting them ready for the professional world by boosting confidence, teaching work ethic, on set etiquette, and how to take direction.
Administration - Talks with both children and parents about how to create a career and keep it going. A forum in which to share questions, information and experience.

Creator and Director of Youth Programs
Melissa Hayden
Emmy Award winner and former child actress