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Classes

 

ACTING CLASSES & More!

Lehigh Valley / Allentown Area - in Pennsylvania

~ ACTING, DRAMA AND PERFORMANCE ~

Instructor: Tesia Nicoli


If you have a need to satisfy your acting bug – then you’ve found exactly what you’re looking for! Acting classes are offered every fall and spring, and private lessons and workshops are offered year-round. The classes touch on all major aspects of performance, scenes, monologues, and character development. Each week is packed with invigorating exercises that enhance specific areas of performance that can be used with theatre, commercial work, film, and television. These opportunities are perfect for the novice actor, seasoned actors looking for practice, or someone looking to break out of their shell and have fun doing it. The Acting, Drama, and Performance class is designed so that it can be taken over and over every semester. This is one of the only places for affordable acting courses, private lessons, and workshops regularly offered in the Lehigh Valley! Please scroll down below to read some testimonials from past students.

  • Acting, Drama, and Performance will be offered each Fall (starting in early September) and Spring (starting in early March) through the East Penn School District’s Community Education Program on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 for six weeks. Classes are held in the Lower Macungie area. This class is designed for both beginners looking to dabble in acting, as well as experienced actors looking for practice. Students will be instructed on overcoming inhibitions, character building, monologues, scene work, improvisation, local acting opportunities, and much more. Join us in this relaxed and fun atmosphere to build your performance skills. The cost is typically around $45 for residents and only a few dollars more for non-residents. You must register by the deadline to be enrolled in the class. You will register online and pay by mailing a check or money order – they do not accept credit card payments. You will NOT receive enrollment notification. Consider yourself enrolled unless otherwise notified. Ages 17 and up. Enrollment is limited to 14 students. For more details contact TesiaNicoli@hotmail.com or to sign up for this class please visit their site directly at: http://www.eastpenn.k12.pa.us/Community%20Education/

  • Acting Classes (similar format to Acting, Drama & Performance) will also be offered in the late spring/early summer (May/June) for six weeks through the Lower Macungie Township Education Program (you do not need to be a resident to sign up for classes). These classes will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Wescosville Recreation Center on Hamilton Boulevard. This course is geared for beginners through more experienced actors. We will cover common theatre terms, play fun drama games, and learn through relevant exercises in this enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. Laugh until you cry and learn more about yourself along the way! Cost is $48. All ages 17 and over are welcome! Enrollment is limited to 14 people. Please email TesiaNicoli@hotmail.com for more information about how to sign up. Visit Lower Macungie Township’s web page directly at: http://www.lowermac.com/index2.cfm - scroll to the bottom of the “Programs” tab and click on “Acting Classes”.

    At the conclusion of this course students should better understand: how to find local acting opportunities, ways to relax their body and mind before a performance, character development, how to enrich scenes, preparation for auditions (with a cold reading and/or a monologue), and how to demonstrate refined acting skills for all facets of performance.

  • Acting: The Play Experience will be offered occasionally either in the fall or spring through the East Penn School District’s Community Education Program on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 for six weeks. This class will take the student through the basic process of a staged production - from auditions to a final performance that friends and family can attend.  Everyone is guaranteed a role. No memorization necessary, the scripts can be performed as staged readings. Experience is helpful, but not necessary. The cost is typically around $45 for residents and only a few dollars more for non-residents. You MUST register by the deadline to get enrolled in the class. You will register online and pay by mailing a check or money order – they do not accept credit card payments. You will NOT receive enrollment notification. Consider yourself enrolled unless otherwise notified. Ages 17 and up.  Enrollment is limited to 14 students. For more details or to sign up for this class please visit their site directly at: http://www.eastpenn.k12.pa.us/Community%20Education/

  • Acting: Focus on Film is a one-night class where we will have discussions and scripts readings from our favorite films. Come prepared with a list of your top ten favorite films of all time and be ready to discuss them! We’ll talk about unforgettable characters and creative plot lines. We’ll then vote on which films are the best among several categories. Bring along at least two copies of some dialogue from one of your favorite scenes. Please bring a pen, paper, your top ten list, and any scene you’d like to have the class read aloud. The cost for this class is around $10 for East Penn School District residents. Ages 18 and up and limited to 14 students. Offered each semester.

  • Private Acting Lessons for Adults and Youth are currently offered for $25 an hour during any time of year! These lessons are geared toward your level of talent. We’ll work as often as you’d like to enhance your abilities and fine-tune your skills. Whether you want to work on a role/character, prepare for auditions, or simply want to learn about acting for fun – there are plenty of opportunities in private lessons! These lessons are held in the Fogelsville, PA area and are scheduled at your convenience. Ages 10 and up. Kids are welcome for preparing for LVPA auditions (The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts) as well as any other purposes or auditions. A one-time $10 preparation/starter fee is charged and due for our first meeting in addition to the hourly fee. Please send an e-mail of interest to: TesiaNicoli@hotmail.com for more information.

  • Acting Workshops for a Group are available for your organization! The workshops are tailor-made to your desire. While each workshop can encompass many areas of acting, some groups prefer certain focuses.

Choose from the following topics:

      Relaxation Techniques Surviving Stage Fright
      Acting Terms & Stage Directions Emotions & Conflict
      Character Development Communication
      Getting in Touch with Yourself Listening
      Voice Projection Headshots & Resumes
      Audition Info and Tips Dealing with Rejection
      Avoiding Scams Memorization Tips and Techniques
      Acting Methods Creativity & Freeing the Imagination
      Improvisation Concentration
      Using Space  

Most topics can include a brief yet informative lecture followed by exercises that illustrate the points made in the lecture.  Any combination of the topics above can be incorporated in the workshop.  Once you have decided what topics to focus on, a flat price can be figured out based on how many hours you’d like the workshop to last and how many people will be in attendance. If you have any additional questions about setting up workshops please feel free to send an e-mail to TesiaNicoli@hotmail.com. Thank you!

TESTIMONIALS

“Acting, Drama, and Performance is the first acting class I’ve ever taken.  I didn’t want it to end!  Coming to class was a mini escape for me.  It was so nice to meet others who have an interest in drama.  Our class was such a cool blend of ages and personalities.  We had some great laughs!  Tesia has created a comfortable and relaxed environment for discussion, discovery, and learning.  And her stories and information have been helpful and interesting.  I really appreciate her for being so open and sharing of her experiences.” 
- Nanci White

“I have taken three of Tesia’s classes and have thoroughly enjoyed them all.  Tesia brings both experience and excitement to her classes; along with an opportunity to express one’s individuality and gain a sense of what it truly means to be an actor.”
- Jamie Drozdowski

"I took Tesia's acting class last Fall 2009 and enjoyed it immensely.  Never having taking an acting class before, I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.  I enjoyed the fact that she focuses on all aspects of acting in one class and allows you to really have fun and feel comfortable, with very little pressure.  I would love to take the class again at some point and would recommend it to anyone else interested in acting or even just looking for a fun a way to help overcome anxiety."
-Matthew Burd

“Through the private lessons that I received from Tesia last summer, I felt completely at ease this past fall when auditioning for a lead role in our high school musical, West Side Story.  She had instructed me on the audition process, giving me many tips.  When she taught memorization of monologues, she helped me extract feeling and emotion from the script to enhance my acting.  I played Maria in West Side Story this year and look forward to continued opportunities to sing and express myself through acting.”                                       

- Becca Galick

“Tesia’s class was the perfect opportunity to learn some of the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of acting, auditions, and stage performance from an insider who knows it well.  Set in an environment that is welcoming and unintimidating, it provides a chance to stretch your wings and fully embrace a multitude of character roles without the nervous fear of being a fledgling.  It’s also a great place to network with other actors and find out about pending auditions.”

“Tesia’s warm sense of humor and extensive knowledge of the business of being an actor combine to create a down-to-earth class that you will want to take again and again, as many of her students have.  I would pay many times what I paid to enroll in Tesia’s class.  It’s worth it all and much much more.”
- A. T. Mack

“Having attended two of Tesia's courses on Acting, Drama and Performance, I have been especially impressed by how her own dedication and intensity have been instrumental in bringing out the personalities and interests of her students in ways that seem to surprise even themselves. This has been only one of the fascinating aspects of her classes, which make them both instructive and enjoyable.”
- Richard Flemming

“I took Tesia's class a few years ago and only my chaotic schedule has prevented me from taking it again...and again.  I found it to be relaxing, enjoyable, and incredibly freeing.  Tesia does an excellent job of teaching, gently critiquing with suggestions, and encouraging.  No stress or pressure.  I LOVED IT!! 
- Jane P.

“I enjoyed exploring what it was like to be among some of the most interesting people out there; those that are not afraid to express themselves through the fine art of acting.  I initially took the class for reasons other than self-expression and found out more about myself; that, otherwise I would have never known. I think about taking another class from time to time and remember how passionate Tesia is about the craft.”  
- Rowena

"Tesia is truly a talented actress and teacher. I could tell from day one she wanted each student to master the important concepts of acting. Her classes are fun, creative, and relaxing. I recommend anyone interested in acting to take the class for the learning experience."
- Stephanie McBride

“When I took my first class with Tesia in Spring of 09, I was surprised during the introductions to find that more than one person there was taking her class for the second time. I wondered why someone would do that.
 
Then, at the end of the class, I realized why.
 
We had so much fun and learned a lot too. I not only learned from Tesia but also by seeing those who had a little more experience. Everyone was very encouraging. I knew that I would be taking the class again in the Fall. 
 
Tesia announced the Acting Experience class which was perfect for me. Years ago I made a list of 100 dreams - 100 things that I've always wanted to do, no matter how impossible they seemed. One of those dreams was to act on a stage, in front of an audience. The Acting Experience class fulfilled that dream and also gave me a taste of what it might be like to be involved in a full-fledged production. I don't know if I will ever attempt it, but it would be a lot less scary, after this experience.
 
Thank you, Tesia, for offering these classes. You are fulfilling a need in the community and helping people realize their dreams, both big and small.”
- Ruth