History and Philosophy
The Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting has been one of the top theatrical training institutions for over 50 years. The program is based on Stella Adler's Technique and perhaps more importantly o her spirit. The Stella Adler Technique consists of: exploring the universal ideas embedded in dramatic literature, developing the limitless potential of the imagination, encouraging awareness of each actor's heritage as a responsible participant in a continuing theatrical tradition and perhaps most importantly creating an independent actor.
An independent actor is an actor who makes bold choices based on their own sense of truth. Stella Adler's spirit was one of fearlessness and openness with an uncompromising commitment to human growth and theatrical excellence. For Stella, human growth and theatrical growth were synonymous.
Here at the Stella Adler Conservatory the curriculum includes Adler Technique, Scene Study (contemporary and classical) Shakespeare, Voice and Speech, Voice, Language and the Text, Movement for Actors, Mask, Improvisation and many other supplemental workshops given by both faculty members and professional actors, directors and outside teachers.
The school's commitment to human growth as a vital element of theatrical growth has lead to the creation of a series of events in honor of the late director/critic Harold Clurman. For example, the Harold Clurman Lecture Series, a series devoted to theatre artists and other kinds of performing artists who come to speak to and with our students. Speakers have included Sidney Poitier and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Harold Clurman Poetry Reading Series is a forum, in which poets come and read their own work. Poets have included John Ashbury and Mark Strand. An finally the Harold Clurman Literate Actor Series which brings actors to the school to read their favorite poems and short stories. Actors have included Lois Smith and David Margulies.
Curricula Overview
First Year
The first year of training is devoted to the process of work and the development of the actor's self. There are no productions the first year. The curriculum focuses for the most part on pre-text technique work. Each term ends with a Movement Project, which grows out of their Movement Techniques class and is performed for fellow first year students and faculty.
Second Year
In the second year students continue to focus on the process work but they do so in the context of scene work and what Stanislavski called building a character. Second year students perform Poetry Projects in the first week of their second term. The Poetry Projects are self-produced five (5) minute theatre pieces performed for the entire student body and faculty. They end their second term with a Rehearsal Project, a play rehearsed and performed with no production budget or values.
Third Year
The third year of training is divided between class work and production/performance work. In each term students perform a Rehearsal Project, this time with a small budget and an invited audience, followed by a fully produced play with increased production values and often an outside director.
Fourth Year
The fourth year (the Company year) is a production year which includes two (2) fully produced plays and an Agent Showcase. The classroom has become a rehearsal hall.
Rehearsal and Productions
In the fall semester of the third year Rehearsal Projects are usually movement driven. These projects are student scripted with an emphasis on movement. They are followed by fully produced productions: AS YOU LIKE IT, TWELFTH NIGHT, and A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM by William Shakespeare are examples of plays performed. In the spring semester of the third year. Rehearsal Projects are text driven (a series of one-act plays directed by several different directors) to be followed by fully realized productions.
Administration
Artistic Director
Director of Student Affairs
Associate to the Artistic Director
Head of Acting
Head of Movement
Registrar Tom Openheim
Joanne Edelman
Angela Vitale
James Tripp
Joan Evans
Yvette Lopez
Faculty
Lisa Benavides
Ron Burrus
Steven Cook
Jed Diamond
Joanne Edelman
Joan Evans
Todd Farrari
Steffany Georg
Alithea Hages
Mark Hammer Milton Justice
Bruce Katzman
Jason Little
Anne Occiogrosso
Elizabeth Parrish
Robert Perillo
James Tripp
Angela Vatale
J. Steven White
Noel Wilson
