Actors Lab
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Download the latest Acting Workshops Brochure - 2011(New)
Actors' today need to initiate their own work, understand and value what they do and behave like a business - while taking responsibility for their own artistic growth. Peter Feeney's Actors Lab exists solely to support actors as they make their way from initial steps to a professional career, and keep them acting fit once they get there. To this end Actors Lab offers a variety of complementary and progressional courses built around a regular four term structure. Actors Toni Prebble, Todd Emerson, Tom Hern, Anna Hutchinson, James Napier and Hannah Marshall are just a few among the many who have attending Peter's Scene Groups or workshops.
Here are some of my principles: work, in the end, is the best teacher; we keep fees low to make regular attendance easier. Classes are carefully streamed. This helps create a strong ensemble in every group. Group numbers are kept small so that each actor gets a good acting workout each session. Where needed we're happy to recommend other reputable voice, acting or accent coaches. We provide support and encouragement for participants to form their own scene groups independent of us. All our tutors are industry professionals.
2011 Acting Workshops
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SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Term two (18 May - 17 July)
Sunday afternoons - Acting Technique I (Peter Feeney)
Wednesday evenings - Industry Nights (Various directors and casting directors)
Saturday/Sunday 21-22 May - Auckland Audition/ Camera Acting Two day workshop (Peter Feeney)
Term three (14 August - 14 September)
Sunday afternoons - Scene Group (Peter Feeney)
Wednesday evenings - Industry Nights (Various directors and casting directors)
Term four (9 October - 20 November)
Wednesday evenings - Industry Nights (Various directors and casting directors)
Sunday afternoons - Acting Technique I (Peter Feeney)
COURSE CONTENT
Scene Group (Peter Feeney)
This course is designed as a challenging work out for actors who want to keep fit and stretch themselves. Six evenings, six scripts, intensive coaching. Expect a high standard. Always illuminating. Open to experienced or returning actors only.
Acting Technique I (Peter Feeney)
In this workshop you'll be introduced to all the elements of a cohesive technique for acting covering preparation, professionalism and performance for both audition and work. The technique covers both the big picture (such as objectives, emotion, character and given circumstances) and the specific detail of line by line, beat by beat script analysis. The work is practical and centred around short scenes which are presented each week. As a working actor Peter knows what works and why from the inside out. This course can work as an introduction to these concepts, or a dust up in important principles. Either way the material is presented in a clear and comprehensible manner: this stuff works. Come and play!
Acting Technique II (Peter Feeney, Michelle Hines)
Taking the tools and experience of working with scenes in AT I, participants can look forward to taking the work further in this workshop. Instead of a different unrelated scene each week, participants work on one role in a play or film for all six sessions - you have some choice of which. This is an opportunity to explore the through-line of a whole script with character work (including Laban with Michelle Hines), super-objectives, counter-objectives etc as well as glean practical tips on continuity of performance and emotional preparation. There is a presentation of work at the end of the course.
Audition/ Camera Acting Two day workshop (Peter Feeney)
In this intensive two day workshop participants will glean practical tools and insights into preparation, professionalism and performance for camera and audition. This will not only enhance your chances of being cast, but make the casting process and resultant on-set work more comprehensible and enjoyable. With Camera.
Industry Nights (Various directors and casting directors)
Now running a year, Industry Nights are becoming an Auckland institution. Some of our top actors have attended these challenging, practical and fun evenings. Get exposed to a variety of approaches with the combined experience of some of our most respected casting directors & tv/ film directors. This workshop is open to all actors of sufficient experience. Most sessions have camera. Past and planned guest directors include: Sima Urale, Jonathan Brough, Geoff Cawthorn, Roseanne Liang and Stephen Lovatt; casting Directors: Mike and Matt Dwyer, Andrea Kelland and Annabel Lomas. With the co-operation of the Screen Directors Guild of NZ (SDGNZ).
Visit the Download's page for links to handouts and teaching materials.
To Apply
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For apply and for information on fees, class sizes, discounts, venues, times and exact dates download our brochure here.
Testimonials
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Peter is a very gifted young actor who will always be genuinely interested in exploring his work and finding new approaches to it, and opening this out to his fellow actors. Cicely Berry, Voice Director, Royal Shakespeare Company. I can thoroughly recommend Peter as a marvelous proponent of the principles and techniques he has encountered and uses himself in his acting processes. He is a gifted man with much to contribute to his profession. Dean Carey, Director, Actors Centre Australia. I found this course really valuable. You had no ego about teaching us - which meant I never felt you were imposing your own views on us, rather you let us discover things ourselves but also shared your wisdom and experience freely. Awesome! Hannah Banks, Auckland Participant You are a wonderfully insightful and optimistic actor, and this allows you to draw the very best work out of everyone. But what is unique about this course is that you aim and succeed in giving everyone involved the skills to be this for themselves. And - above all, the classes were FUN and challenging and filled with great people! Thanks! Lotte St. Clair, Sydney Participant, Bell Shakespeare Co Actor
The Tutors
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Peter Feeney has acted extensively in TV, film & theatre since 1994, appearing at the Fortune, Court & Circa theatres in NZ & The Queensland Theatre Company in Australia. Recent TV & film credits include 30 Days of Night, Legend of the Seeker & Spartacus (US); Rude Awakenings & This is not your Life (NZ). His NZ films include Toy Love, Black Sheep & the internationally acclaimed short The Platform. He has worked or trained with Cicely Berry (RSC), Robert Benedetti (Film producer/ Theatre Director), Rob Marchant (TV/Film Director), Dean Carey (Director, Actors Centre Australia) & most recently Tom McSweeney (Casting director).
Peter has a degree in Honours from the University of Melbourne & a Dip Drama from the University of Auckland. He is a published author, writer, and has worked as a casting director for TV and as a presenter trainer at TVNZ.
Since 2001 - in Australia, New Zealand, and at Toi Whakaari - Peter has taught acting. In 2003 he directed and acted in the play Milo's Wake, touring in 2005/2006 throughout NZ. His one man show A Night with Beau Tyler toured NZ in 2008, 2009 and again in 2011 to over 30 centres around NZ. Peter was a Nominee for Best Actor at the 2003 NZ Film Awards.
Stephen Lovatt has been a professional actor for 20 years and brings immense experience to his teaching. Recent screen credits include the Kiwi feature film Show of Hands, Go Girls series I & II, Spartacus & a four year stint on Australia's Neighbours.
Cameron Rhodes is a leading NZ theatre, TV & film actor. He directs theatre & teaches voice & acting at Unitec (& has been a guest teacher at Toi Whakaari The NZ Drama School). He is a best actor 2 time nominee, NZ Film Awards.
Michele Hine is a professional actor, has a Masters degree in Directing and was Lecturer in Acting Techniques on Unitec's degree course for 15 years. Currently on screen as Carol in Go Girls she was seen recently on stage in Toys, The Idea of America,The Vagina Monologues and played the title role in The House of Bernada Alba.
Kevin Keyes is a ChapmanTrip Best Newcomer Nominee, and an accomplished theatre & TV actor. He also presents concerts for the NZSO, APO & VWO, and has written several plays, including Desperate Antics (Edinburgh Fringe 2006).
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