The 15-Month Career Acting Program

If you are ready for the experience of a lifetime, then you may be a candidate for the 15-Month Career Acting Program. Focused on acting for film and stage, this intensive, hands-on program teaches students real skills for the real world. This has been consistently the most popular choice among our students.

Today’s ever-growing demand for moving and realistic performance - particularly film’s demand for absolute authenticity – creates high expectations from actors training programs. Our Career Acting Program has been successfully meeting these challenges for the last 26 years.

At the completion of the 15-Month Career Acting Program program students have the opportunity to perform in a live, professionally produced showcase to which agents, casting directors, producers, directors and the general public are invited. Students also receive professionally edited materials that are suitable to put on an actor’s reel, which is one of the primary ways of getting work in the real world. The graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Acting Performance.

The 15-Month Acting Career Program consists of 4 semesters. Each semester runs for 15 weeks and requires total commitment on the part of the student. A standard week of study involves approximately 22 hours of classes, 4-6 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Additional time may be required for rehearsals, shoots or individual work.

The first semester focuses on exploring the practical and theoretical use of the body and mind as instruments for dramatic presentation. This is accomplished through intense movement, voice and acting classes. Using monologue and scene materials, students begin making emotional connections to the character. The acquired skills are applied to commercial copy as students are introduced to basic camera techniques. As we believe that film and stage actors benefit immeasurably from working in front of a live audience, the first semester culminates in a live performance of monologues.

The second semester continues to build on a foundation in acting craft and further develops strong emotional connections to character through scene study. This work is enhanced by script analysis and somatic explorations as students begin working on, listening to and reacting with a scene partner (both on camera and stage). As is the practice in other semesters, the work culminates in a live performance.

The third semester students continue to strengthen their listening and reacting skills as well as identifying and developing the subtext of a script. Speech and phonetics, stage combat and mime further build on student's skills to bring the written text alive. Acting for the camera expands on the more specific techniques needed in film production – the rigors of shooting the scene over and over from multiple angles and matching the performance each time, or doing it all with little or almost no rehearsal time.

The fourth semester curriculum concentrates on refining all the skills students have acquired during their training, and expanding their knowledge of the professional world. At some point all students perform in video shoots of original work that was created and developed by the students in collaboration with their instructors. Through audition techniques, musical theatre classes, and an extensive period of preparation for their final showcase, students learn to identify and develop audition materials and marketing tools that will prepare students for life as a working actor.

Program Curriculum

Introduction to Acting
Through improvisation, script analysis and the study of monologue materials, students are introduced to the fundamentals of performance. Special emphasis is placed on interpretation and translation of the dramatic script as the basis for exploration of characterization, motivation and transition.

Introduction to Voice
Freeing the voice is the primary focus of this class, which includes developing breathing techniques for the actor, all aspects of tone production and vocal flexibility for voice and speech.

Movement I
This course is based on a system of exploration and exercises which are designed to help students overcome their inhibitions and to awaken them to certain truths about themselves. It is a physical approach to acting, developing a character through the use of the body.

Camera Technique I
Through the use of television and commercial copy, students are introduced to basic camera technique and terminology. By incorporating the skills developed in voice, movement and acting classes into a variety of commercial situations students work one-on-one with the camera.

Creative Process
This course is an investigation into the actor’s own creative process. Students will explore the use of visual, literary and performing arts as a means of self discovery.

Forms of Literature
The purpose of this course is to facilitate a comprehensive development of students’ textual/interpretive skills through varied written assignments that are closely connected with readings from different literary genres, including the history of drama.

Acting II
Special emphasis is placed on developing the student’s listening and reacting skills as they begin to work with scene partners. Using the works of contemporary playwrights, students will focus on discovering elements in the script that serve as the basis for characterization.

Vocal Interpretation
The primary focus of this course is the connection between the actors’ emotions and the text. Additionally, this course focuses on the further development, maintenance and care of a well produced voice. This allows and encourages the students to increase their vocal range and variety.

Body Language
Building on knowledge obtained in Movement 101, students explore the kinesthetic dimensions of self awareness through progressively more in-depth somatic lessons and exercises that are creatively intertwined with the various technical aspects of acting.

Camera Technique II
Students are introduced to scenework for the camera by learning the rudiments of camera awareness and blocking. Through the use of short scenes, the course covers techniques for hitting marks and the differences between close-up, medium and long shots, and over-the-shoulder shots.

Script Analysis
By learning to recognize the hidden beats, intentions and images, students will focus on interpreting a script with emphasis on character study and development.

Human Biology
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the building blocks and components of human life and how they function together to support the organism. Emphasis is on the functions of the human body including anatomy, nutrition and the nervous, circulatory and reproductive systems.

Fundamentals of Public Speaking
An introduction to the principles and practice of presentational communication, including personal history, impromptu speaking, humorous and persuasive speeches. Methods of topic analysis, evidence evaluation organization and delivery are covered.

Acting III
This advanced scene study class allows the student to build on the tools they gained in Intro to Acting and Acting II to stretch their abilities as they attack more difficult acting problems through situations that are foreign and unfamiliar. Recognizing and understanding the subtext of a scene is explored as students examine the texture, tone and timing found in plays of contemporary and classic writers to bring subtle nuances to their performances.

Speech and Phonetics
Using the International Phonetic Alphabet as a basic tool, this course focuses on neutralizing regional sounds and dialects. Using drills and exercises in combination with the IPA, students work to increase their vocal flexibility and ability to approach new dialects for the stage and screen.

Movement III
The first half of this course is focused on the art of stage combat and disciplining the body. Students learn specific techniques to create a striking reality of violence on stage, with safety being the primary focus. The other half of the course introduces students to mime. This ancient art not only heightens students’ awareness of the body, but gives them an additional avenue for artistic expression.

Camera Technique III
Students expand their technical knowledge of acting for the camera with an emphasis on continuity and the importance of matching the action between master shots, close-ups and re-takes. Focus is also placed on creating camera magnetism by encouraging spontaneous behavior and developing the actor’s ability to find the character in him/herself.

Shakespeare
This course is designed to stretch the actor’s vocal and physical range while exploring the rich emotional layers contained in Shakespeare’s writing.

Social Psychology
An introduction to psychological theories and their application to understanding human behavior. The course covers the psychology of learning, language, developmental personality and altered states of awareness and social psychology.

Advanced Acting
This course is designed as a culmination of the student’s acting training and as preparation for entry into the professional community. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing character types, the choice of suitable audition material and interacting with partners. Under the supervision of the instructor, students will focus on selecting and rehearsing monologues for theatre auditions and on partnered scenes to be performed in the graduation showcase.

Musical Performance - Vocal
This course, which is subtitled “How to Act a Song”, focuses on singing performance and concentrates on relaxation, vocal and breathing exercises, characterization and the transition from dialog to song. The appropriate use of the actor’s voice and personality in the selection of audition material is also emphasized.

Musical Performance – Dance
With an emphasis on dance, this course covers the fundamental techniques of dance performance and basic styles through practical application of performing skills. The focus is placed on body awareness, mental discipline and non-verbal communication as students gain experience working with a choreographer and performing in a laboratory setting.

Camera Technique IV
In preparation for entry into the professional community, students work to enhance their audition skills by reading the film audition script, making quick, bold character choices, listening and adding dimension to the character. Students gain practical experience in shooting out of sequence, staying “in the moment”, working off-camera and all aspects of camera acting technique from previous semesters work.

Audition Technique
The focus of this course is on perfecting cold reading technique for commercial, industrial and film auditions, with emphasis placed on identifying and using personal qualities, developing spontaneity, improving concentration and listening skills. Students also work on the preparation, organization and presentation of resumes, headshots and other marketing materials for their graduation showcase.

History of Popular American Culture Through Film
This course is a survey of early film making through modern cinematography, focusing primarily on domestically produced films. The impact of film and cinematic literature on historical and current American culture will be discussed in depth. Also discussed will be the influence of the early studios (personalities such as Thalberg, Warner and Goldwyn will be covered) and cinematic developments through history.

*  *

For more information call our Office toll free:
1-877-278-2283
or drop us a note.

KD Studio Actors Conservatory
2600 Stemmons Frwy, Suite 117
Dallas, TX 75207
214-638-0484
1-877-278-2283