What brought you to the maggie Flanigan studio?
I came from an undergraduate theater arts program at Howard University. My time at Howard was truly a blessing! I was able to grow in ways as a man and as an artist that I could never imagine before attending the school. The fine arts program truly did prepare me for life. However, I was told freshman year by my professor and department of theater arts chairperson, Kim James Bey, that the education/training we were receiving was merely a foundation that we needed to build upon with continuous training after graduation. Professor Bey, who studied the Meisner technique for three years under the tutelage of Maggie Flanigan, introduced me to Meisner technique. Getting a taste of the technique during my sophomore year was very eye opening and challenging to my artistry as well as everything I thought I knew about acting at that time. When I graduated From undergrad, I was so nervous and unsure in the months leading up to that date about what I was going to do in regards to my future. Was I going to stay in DC and audition? Or move back home to New York and "pound the pavement" auditioning and submitting myself? I was just so nervous and anxious. That's when Professor Bey blessed me with advice to enroll in a program back in New York that would challenge me and give me an opportunity to grow as well as continue to get a deeper grasp of the Meisner training I became so fond of. That's where my Maggie Flanigan experience would start.
Why do you enroll at the maggie Flanigan studio?
In the summer of 2012, I called the Maggie Flanigan Studio in regards to setting up an interview to learn more about the two year program. At my interview, I really was drawn to Maggie's powerful words and honesty she exemplified. Other programs are all about the money, however Maggie was sure to implore me to not just sign up for any program, even hers, without being 100% on what I was going to undertake. Maggie insisted on not just signing up for the two year conservatory, but instead offered me an opportunity to sign up for the summer intensive, and if I liked it, to continue; If not, I could always remove myself from the course. What I received on the very first day was a call for our entire class to humble themselves regarding what we knew about acting and allow ourselves to be open and receptive to the training we were going to receive. In the next 7 weeks, what I received from the program were lessons that changed my life. Not just lessons from the great Maggie Flanigan, but also classes with her lead pupil Charlie Sandlan. My interactions with Charlie would become just as important as my interactions with Maggie for the next 7 weeks. Through the "Repetition Exercise," I was called out several times by Charlie and Maggie to "STAND UP for myself." As simple as that may seem, that was an issue that I had in my life; being dismissive and apologetic about everything. The crazy thing regarding the Meisner Technique is that you must really have a strong and honest point of view on what is being said to you, and respond TRUTHFULLY during the repetition exercise! Exercises that require a person to knock on the door and enter, while another person has a pressing activity that is important to them, that must get done in a set time, while simultaneously responding/repeating the person who has entered the door. Not only did the work force me to be honest with my feelings regarding how my scene partner was speaking to me, but to have that response birthed from an honest point of view. Through it all, I was was able to truly see growth in my artistry through scene work, but equally as important, growth in my life as a man! Getting a taste of what the studio had to offer over the course of the summer was life changing.
How has the program changed you professionally
I really got the freedom to express myself honestly, truthfully, and unapologetically in all aspects of my life, which was something that was missing before my experience at the studio. Aside from the aforementioned positives the studio provides, if there was one thing I got most from the training, it was a a sense of confidence in the technique that I was using. I no longer feel hesitant or anxious about submitting myself for any role or opportunities presented in front of me. I'm truly confident in my ability as an artist to do every and anything, thanks to dedicated amazing teachers like Charlie Sandlan, Maggie Flanigan, and the rest of the amazing movement, voice, and Shakespeare teachers that work at the studio.
Why should actors enroll at the studio?
I feel any actor who is serious about their craft, receiving training in an honest and truthful environment, and not being babied, but instead told the honest truth regarding their growth, needs to enroll at the studio. I'd honestly suggest enrolling in the summer session in order to see if the environment and tutelage is for
you. I know the saying "results you can see," but at the studio, you get results you can feel.
I took my very first class at the Maggie Flanigan Studio the summer I completed my undergraduate matriculation. I returned home to New York the day after graduation; an eager young artist yearning to put my new skills to use. Not yet cast in any productions, it was very important to me that I continue my acting training and find an environment that would foster further artistic growth and discovery. The Maggie Flanigan studio came at the recommendation of two former peers of mine, by way of a former acting professor, (who I later discovered studied under Maggie’s tutelage). I enrolled in the summer intensive, simply with the desire to keep my existing creative muscles working until cast in a show. There is no way I could have foreseen the tremendous impact those four weeks of Meisner training would have on my artistry. I was learning how to listen and truly take things personally and this would directly affect my work. Excited to see the changes that had taken place in such a short period of time, it with this newfound perspective that I decided to enroll in the two year program.
How has this program changed you professionally?
Having completed the 2 year program at The Maggie Flanigan Studio, I feel far more prepared in the audition room, the rehearsal room, and on stage. I have a clear way to approach the work, a more pliable instrument, can more easily access my imagination and emotional life, and feel so in tune with myself entering a space. My training gives me the confidence to make bold choices unique to my experiences, and create specific behavior which I feel often sets me apart from other actors in the room.
Why should other actors enroll in the two year program at Maggie Flanigan Studio?
I would recommend the two year program at Maggie Flanigan Studio to any actor who is serious about sharpening their instrument and developing their artistry. It is a life altering experience, and you will leave the program not only a better actor, but a better human being. The program prepares actors for all sides of the industry, be it theatre, film tv, or navigating the business of “show business.” It puts the actor up against themselves in such a way that they have no choice but to develop a greater sense of self and curiosity about their place in the world. It is this heightened self awareness and sensitivity, paired with the brilliance of Sanford Meisner’s technique, which I believe allows graduates of the two year program to truly excel outside of the classroom.
Review
I consider my four years in undergrad to be some of the most formative years of my life. Having had no prior acting training, I graduated from Howard University with an expanded skill set, and a myriad of invaluable tools and experiences that would continue to serve me throughout my career. As an actress of color, my university would prepare me for the world and business of acting in such a unique way, teaching me key lessons, and affording me opportunities that I know I would not find anywhere else. Having acquired my BFA in Musical Theatre, at Howard I was fortunate enough to not only train in dance and voice, but be exposed to a number of acting styles and techniques. Upon graduating I felt secure in my acting studies, but like any other facet of my training knew there was still so much more to learn. My time at The Maggie Flanigan Studio would allow me to focus solely on the acting, and on one technique which would serve as my foundation moving forward.
MFS is far more than just a school. It is a creative playground, a refuge, a “home for the serious actor.” Building upon the principles instilled in me in undergrad, the brilliant teachers at MFS impress upon students the constant excavation of self needed to grow and be of service as an actor. These teachers not only nurture talent and teach technique, but do so with the understanding of the responsibility of the actor and the correlation that exists between art and humanity. During my two years in the studio, I grew more in tune with my gut, I prized being truthful over performing, I found more freedom in my instrument, and became not only a far better listener, but the most open and vulnerable I have ever been. Through Sanford Meisner’s technique I was afforded the framework needed to create specific behavior, while still remaining playful and present. With teachers who were truly invested in my process, I was given guidance and instruction, but also the room to struggle with the work. In turn I would make some of my most momentous discoveries on my own and in my own time. It is those moments that would push me to continue to dig deeper . By the end of the 2 year program, I emerged with a greater self awareness, greater sensitivity to the world around me, and even more in love with the craft of acting. Needless to say I am so incredibly grateful for my training at The Maggie Flanigan Studio, for it is here that I laid the groundwork needed for success.