Fun, affordable classes in the arts, offered through one of Seattle's most respected noncredit schools.
For a full list of Seattle acting classes, writing classes, art classes, film classes and more, visit http://www.classesandworkshops.com

Class 27.15 section 1: Beginning Acting!
Sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College
Dates and times: Mondays, 7/13-8/10, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (five meetings)
Where: Seattle Center
Nils Osmar, instructor
Course fee: $150

Course description: Acting is fun! In this enjoyable class, held in Seattle (and open to everyone), you'll learn how to create characters, memorize dialogue, and use your voice, body and emotions as acting tools and perform short scenes onstage in front of other students. Plus: warm-ups, theater games, improvisational acting, information about the Seattle theater scene, how to audition. Great for beginners, and for those wanting to get back into acting after a break from it. Instructor has participated in live theater for over twenty years as an actor, playwright, producer and director, and has taught acting classes in Seattle since 1996. He is the creator of an award-winning television series (THE EDGE). His feature film, XEROS, premiered to sold out audiences in the Seattle True Independence Film Festival. See also: Writing Classes Seattle~ Acting classes Seattle ~ Filmmaking classes Seattle

To sign up now, call 206-420-1309 or click the Add to Cart button below. If you don't see a button, go to http://www.classesandworkshops.com

We'll do a number of exercises in this class, including:

____warm-ups and theater games, to help people get more comfortable and confident performing in front of a group.
____vocal and breathing exercises
____improv (unscripted acting - making it up as we go along - one of the foundations of learning to act - fun!)
____sense memory work (such as drinking a cup of coffee, when you don't really have one in your hand - used by actors to create a sense of reality onstage)
____scenework (memorizing short scenes & performing them in front of the group)
____monologues... and more.

You'll also learn about headshots, auditions, and relaxation techniques in this class, as well as memorization methods, and opportunities for actors in Seattle on stage, film and television. The focus will be on training our whole "instruments" (i.e., our selves -- voice, body, mind and emotions) Whether you're a total beginner, a professional actor, or somewhere in between -- whether you're taking the class just for fun, or thinking about a career in acting -- everyone is welcome.

Student comments

Nils Osmar created a safe atmosphere which enabled me to do things I'd never done before. He has a calm positive demeanor that is very supportive. The course was well structured with exercises that required participation and that were actually fun to do. - L.P.A, Seattle

Nils is very patient and does a fantastic job at encouraging and providing positive feedback. He makes you feel comfortable about performance. - J.G., Seattle

Hey Nils, thanks for the class - had a really good time this quarter.

I really came at the class from the direction of directing. I had successfully directed two plays back in Britain, but I always felt that I was on shaky ground when I tried to give advice to actors that went beyond "okay, say it louder this time". There's nothing that makes you feel a fraud quicker than standing up in front of lots of people who look to you for advice and not having any to give.

This class definately helped - as well as helping me to develop my own acting it helped me to appreciate how to develop that craft in others. I was suprised how much of a difference the warm up exercises (sound ball, name ball, even something as simple as yawning) made in my performance. I warn you that I plan to steal these techniques wholesale and use them in my own rehearsals.

I really enjoyed the improv element of the class - it always felt like just one step away from playing a childish game, which I always enjoy. It was also great to have a chance to work on a monologue with you, especially in front of a small, friendly audience. Your advice on the 'business' side of acting - headshots, auditioning, etc. - was also very useful.

Great class, Nils. The perfect way to break into acting, as well as being a really fun time.

Cheers,
Mark
(Seattle/London, England)

Hi Nils, I just wanted to thank you for a great class last night! Clearly, people were a little nervous about getting up to perform their monologues, but you have fostered a very supportive environment which makes it much easier to get up there. For the monologue I did, I initially didn't feel any relationship to the character who was speaking, but somehow during your questions, I was able to identify what I felt was motivating the speaker. After that, I almost felt like she was inside me...so thank you for helping me to make that leap. I think you did an excellent job at figuring out how to help each individual to take the next step with their piece, despite a wide range of skill levels. I'm looking forward to next week!
- Marnie M. (Kirkland)

I wanted an introduction to acting, to see if it was something I was interested in pursuing further, and also to take some of the mystery
and fear out of it.... I really like that we did a variety of different exercises - we got a broad overview intro to acting that was really thorough. I thought the monologue was more fun than any of the others - perhaps because I got an unexpected charge out of it because of my unexpected performance! I also enjoyed the short skits we memorized in advance.

I really think you are a great instructor, and you seem to have a genuine interest in and enjoy helping people develop their skills (I hope it's not just your excellent acting ability . . . no, I know it isn't!) =) And it was fun

- Pritam (Seattle)

A week after your class (I) went to my very first audition! Talk about absolute terror. I did the same monologue I did in class, for ________. and guess what? I got offered not only one role, but two roles from two different directors, from that one petrified , shaking monologue. on my very first audition! I was shocked... anyway i took up one of the projects (two just seemed overwhelming), and the final shoot will likely be this monday. ...i couldn't have done it without your great class. thanks!
-Randy T. (Seattle)

...I felt a difference in my own performance about halfway through the exercise. Your encouragement, and your attitude that everyone is a natural actor, are really helpful.
- Catherine Y. (Seattle)

I dropped out of _____'s acting class because I was feeling lost... (your class) has been a kind of remedy in helping me to get over it.
- Jan C. (Bothell)

There were a lot of fun exercises that made the class real enjoyable.
- Mike C., Seattle

I loved the improv and the character work, and the short scenes, and the longer scenes we did at the end. It was all very well structured. I have to admit that I was concerned about memorizing, and worried that I would have trouble with the monologue. But the memorization techniques really helped...
- Sarah B. (Seattle)

Your class was the highlight of my week for the whole quarter. It was really relaxing and fun.
- Kelly J. (Seattle)

I took it just for fun. It was great actually.
- Mickey R. (Seattle)

Great class!!!!!!!! Thanks Nils!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!! :o)
- H. G. (Shoreline)

Questions about the class

What's the difference between Beginning Acting and your other classes?
Beginning Acting is an introductory class, open to all levels. It's an excellent course for students who would like to get a solid foundation in the fundamentals of acting, which can be applied to either theater or film. For example, in Beginning Acting we'll learn about voice, projection, emotion, monologues, scenework and blocking, which are basic skill areas all actors need to develop whether they are interested in acting on film or stage.

Our other class, Acting in a Movie (also called, Let's Make a Movie) , is a production class in which we actually film a short movie, which is then aired locally in Seattle on cable television and uploaded to Youtube for the world to see. (Students are free to act in the movie, or crew on it, or both). Because Acting in a Movie is a production class, there's less time in it to teach the basics of acting. We just dive in and start making a movie from day one. It's also open to everyone, but if you are more interested in developing your foundation acting skills, Beginning Acting is the best one to start with.

Can you tell me more about the instructor?
Nils Osmar has made his living in the arts for over twenty years, working as a writer (short stories, stageplays & screenplays), illustrator (traditional and modern media), filmmaker and teacher. He currently teaches at the ASUW Experimental College, (a noncredit program of the Associated Students University of Washington) and the Wonder School of the Arts.

Questions about signing up

How do I sign up?
To register, call 206-420-1309, or use the Add to Cart buttons above. Online registrations will be handled securely by Paypal Merchant Services.

Does that mean I need to have a Paypal account to sign up?
No. You can use Paypal if you want, or pay using any Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card or American Express.

How do I pay using a credit card?
Start by clicking the Add to Cart button, then click "proceed to checkout." You'll be taken to a page where you can choose how to pay. If you want to use your credit card just click at the bottom where it says "Use your Credit Card or Bank account," then enter your credit card information.

Can I pay by check?
Yes. If you'd like to pay by check, just download this form, print it, and mail it in with your check or money order. If you have trouble downloading or printing out the form, email Seattleworkshops@aol.com and we'll mail you a form.

How soon will I receive a confirmation email when I sign up?
You should receive a confirming email within a few hours of registering (usually sooner). If you don't get a confirming email, call or email Nils Osmar, instructor at 206-420-1309 Seattleworkshops@aol.com or Nilsosmar@gmail.com

What is your refund policy?
1) If you sign up for a class, and then it is cancelled, or if the date or location are changed in a way that prevents you from attending, you will receive your choice of either a full refund, or a tuition voucher for the full amount paid. 2) If you sign up for a class, then change your mind or are unable to attend, and notify the instructor before the first meeting, you will receive your choice of either a refund of 2/3 of the course fee, or a tuition voucher for the full amount paid. 3) If you notify the instructor after the first class meeting, but before the second meeting, that you have decided not to attend you will receive your choice of either a refund of 1/3 of the course fee or a tuition voucher in the amount of 2/3 of the amount paid. 4) If you attend some meetings of a class but miss some meetings, you can make up the meetings you missed the following quarter at no charge.

Wonder School home page
Nils Osmar home page

Other summer quarter classes

Art classes in Seattle
Drawing for absolute beginners ___ SATURDAYS 9 am-10:45 am ___7/11-8/1 (four meetings)
Learn to Draw Faces ___________ SATURDAYS 11 am-12:45 pm___7/11-8/1 (four meetings)
Figure Drawing __________________ SATURDAYS 1 pm-2:45 pm___7/11-8/1 (four meetings)
Cartooning 101 __________________SUNDAYS 11 am-12:45 pm___7/19-8/9 (four meetings)
Perspective Drawing for Beginners____SUNDAYS 1 pm-2:45 pm___7/19-8/9 (four meetings)
Acrylic Painting for Beginners ____________SUNDAYS 3 pm-5 pm__7/19-8/9 (four meetings)
Exploring Color _________________SUNDAY 10 am-5 pm___ 7/12 only (one-day workshop)

Writing classes in Seattle
Writing Fiction and Short Stories ______WEDNESDAYS 7/15-8/12, 7 pm-9 pm (five meetings)
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay_THURSDAYS, 7/16-8/13, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (five meetings)

Photoshop classes in Seattle
Adobe Photoshop __________FRIDAYS 7/10-7/24___7 pm-9:15 pm___ (three meetings)

Acting & Filmmaking classes in Seattle
Let's Make a Movie ___________________ TUESDAYS 7/14-8/18 (five meetings)
Filmmaking for Beginners _________FRIDAYS 7/31-8/21, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (four meetings)
Documentary Filmmaking___SUNDAY 8/16 only (one-day workshop)
Beginning Acting ____MONDAYS 7/13-8/10, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (five meetings) ***

*** all classes are held on or near the UW campus in Seattle, except for Beginning Acting, which is held at the Seattle Center/Center House. Exact locations and driving directions will be emailed out when you sign up

Questions? Call 206-420-1309 or email Seattleworkshops@aol.com