MEISNER ACTING TRAINING
The Meisner Acting Training (Core Program) teaches the approach to acting developed by Sanford Meisner and explores what it means to “live truthfully under imaginary circumstances”.
THE LEARNING MODEL
Sightlines Actors’ Space uses a cyclical learning model where actors progress based on their level of comfort, pacing, and proficiency. Actors may choose to continue to work within their current stage; however, they may advance to subsequent stages upon endorsement by the Designated Meisner Teacher.
At Sightlines Actors’ Space, there is always room for actors of ALL LEVELS to continuously hone and sharpen their craft no matter where they are in their acting journey.
- There are 3 stages to the training: Fundamentals, Exploration, & Integration.
- All new students must begin in Fundamentals regardless of prior training or experience.
- Each class is either conducted ONLINE, IN-PERSON, or BOTH (Hybrid).
- The maximum number of students per class is 10 only to ensure the quality of the training that each student receives.
- We only accept students 18 yrs. old and above.
CLASS SCHEDULE
- Each cycle is equivalent to 8 sessions (1 session per week for both Online & In-Person, 3 hours per session).
- Each cycle of classes is launched on a monthly basis. The enrollment period starts a month before the next cycle begins.
- Multiple sections of a class may be offered in some cycles.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: SIGHTLINES MEMBERSHIP
Students of the Meisner Acting Training also receive Sightlines Membership Benefits (including access to weekly open rehearsals, weekly script reading sessions, discounted rates to other classes, access to exclusive events with guest teachers, and more).
- The Sightlines Membership fee for the month is waived for students of the Meisner Acting Class for that month’s respective cycle.
- Registration for the Sightlines Membership is still open to previous students who aren’t currently enrolled in a Meisner Acting Class.
FEE PER CYCLE
ONLINE
- Philippine-based: PHP 8,000
- International Students: USD 200
IN-PERSON
- Philippine-based: PHP 16,000 (early bird discounts available)
THE MEISNER CORE PROGRAM STAGES
FUNDAMENTALS
Meisner Acting Class: Fundamentals aims to instill the foundational skills that actors need to follow their instincts. In order to follow their instincts, they must first manage social editors that hinder them from expressing their full and authentic impulses. This is worked on through the Repetition exercise.
Upon building consistency in expressing authentic impulses, actors can then engage in connecting their instincts to imaginary circumstances through the next exercise: Independent Activity. Emotional Preparation and working with words through Open Scenes are also introduced during this stage of the training.
Upon assessment by the Designated Meisner Teacher, actors are able to proceed to the next stage of their training, Meisner Technique: Exploration.
EXPLORATION
Meisner Acting Class: Exploration aims to apply the foundational skills to scenes. According to Meisner, “the text is your greatest enemy” because it tends to get actors back in their head. They start “performing” rather than responding truthfully to their scene partner. To maintain the freedom they discovered during the earlier stage of their training, the actors will learn the different tools for scene work: First Reading, Improvisation, and Lou Gehrig Exercise.
The actors will be tasked to select and explore contemporary dialogue & monologue scenes based on the strength of their connection to the material. Through exploration, actors will experience what it’s like to equip themselves with tools that allow them to learn how to be responsible for the development of characters in the scenes they encounter.
Upon assessment by the Designated Meisner Teacher, actors are able to proceed to the next stage of their training, Meisner Technique: Integration.
INTEGRATION
Meisner Acting Class: Integration aims to strengthen & expand the actors’ imagination by exploring characters in more complex imaginary circumstances. The actors will engage in material with heightened language (i.e. Spoon River, Shakespeare) and characters with differences (i.e. impediments, cognitive, emotional, physical, and/or vocal differences).
Actors will engage in Character Research & Development to deepen their understanding of their material. As they explore using the tools they have previously learned, the actors may encounter emotional discrepancies between themselves and the character. These discrepancies can then be addressed through Particularization & Fantasy Work.
The Integration stage requires the actor to create and implement their own working process that serves their characters based on the context of the material – empowering them to create bravely and truthfully.
ONGOING REGISTRATION
8-session deep dive into the foundations of the Meisner Technique
Interactive lecture and demonstration of the Meisner Technique
8-session deep dive into the foundations of the Meisner Technique
TESTIMONIALS
ROLANDO INOCENCIO
Meisner Program Graduate
Actor & Teacher
Sanford Meisner’s repetition exercise is something I’ve always been curious of as an actor. Thanks to Designated Meisner Teacher Alecx Lorica, this acting technique has been made available. Not as a one-time workshop but on a regular basis. Having taken all levels, 1-3, under her, I would highly encourage all actors, new & experienced, to enroll in her classes. Meisner’s power lies in its seeming simplicity; and through Sightlines Actors’ Space, Alecx has created an international community with a shared language; where we can bounce off each other & continue to grow. While Meisner is the core of SAS at the moment, other techniques will soon be introduced; which makes for an exciting future.
NORBS PORTALES
Meisner Program Graduate
Actor & Acting Coach
I am very happy with her process and how she handled the class. She is articulate and observant of the participants’ journey in understanding Meisner. I appreciate her methodical approach in teaching the Meisner approach.
LILIT REYES
Meisner Program Graduate
Palanca Awardee, Screenwrtier
Alecx knows Meisner so well and easily makes it translatable to us in exercises, before, during, and after. Very engaging too, and nurturing sessions. And she makes us feel safe and open ourselves truthfully, productively, and encouragingly “in the moment.” She made us become feathers throwing caution to the wind, wherever it takes us, and not overthink. Very enlightening and liberating too.
DAN ANSALDO
Meisner Program Graduate
Actor & Voice Teacher
Alecx is golden. Worth the original spelling of her name. What a wonderful experience being her pupil! Thankful for her openness, generosity, and willingness to try just about anything to get the best out of her students, while at the same time keeping an eye out for everyone’s safety and healthy wellbeing.
ALEXA PRATS SANDIEGO
Meisner Program Student
Actor
The Meisner workshops with Alecx may seem long, but the three hours go by so quickly, you barely realize it. The sessions just flow so naturally and loosely, that they don’t feel constrictive. Despite the lessons being organized, properly structured, and packed with knowledge and activities, the environment stoked within it is just so fun, free, and seemingly organic that it allows so much natural interactions to just happen, allowing so much room for us to play and experiment. These workshops are quite cathartic, in a sense, because it’s such a safe space to let your walls down and just ‘be.’ I learned so much from these workshops, not only about Meisner technique, but also about myself.
GOLD V. LIM
Intro to Meisner Student
Actor
I love Alecx as a facilitator. She is very clear and knowledgeable on the technique. She pushes us to do explore the technique but she handles the process with care. She made us feel safe without playing it safe. And I believe that is vital for actors if we want to grow and develop the craft: to create without fear, without unnecessary judgement.
