For at least 2,500 years, the story teller, the vocal artist, the dancer of tales, has been understood by civilizations great and small to be a culture hero, a necessary and vital member of society. Through Fred Griffin Conservatory for Actors, you can join this traditional path to explore your self as actor in a compelling and nonjudgmental environment of investigation and personal enrichment, while also receiving the practical training necessary to share your art in the modern world of managers, agents, auditions, and resumes.

Griffin Conservatory is a ten month residency designed for student and early-career actors of any age who are serious about exploring acting as a profession, and for mid-career actors who want to advance their abilities without dropping out of the market. It takes place on weekends and Monday evenings from September to the end of June, 2008, in study blocks of three to six weeks with one or two week breaks between each block. Acceptance is by audition, for which there are three opportunities: June 30, July 28, and August 18. The faculty of New York based professionals has designed the program to suit a wide variety of individual needs and for people of all ages and many levels of experience, but there are a few specific categories of students for whom it is a particularly attractive opportunity.

For one, it is perfect for recent high school graduates who were unable to gain admission into a theatre program at a university — which have become increasingly competitive in the past few years. “Many young people of great talent and enthusiasm are being kept away from quality training,” says movement teacher Connie Rotunda, “and Griffin Conservatory offers them an alternative. It will, first of all, increase their chances of being admitted to a desirable program should they decide to try again. But it may also give them the boost they need, which coupled with a year or two of apprentice work, might enable them to enter the profession without going the college route.”

Zarko elaborates: “If you are interested in being a professional actor, college isn’t always the best way to go. For one thing, it often puts you into the world with huge debts which represent a sometimes crippling burden to an actor trying to develop artistically. Another thing is that at 22 or 23, many agents in larger markets view you as being almost too old for them to consider taking as a client, and by the time you get the exposure you need to attract an agent, you’re 27 or 28. It’s certainly not impossible, but can be more difficult.” Griffin Conservatory is designed to develop the actor’s craft, but it also affords graduates professional contacts, business training, and a professional resume, so when they begin to audition in the larger market, they are well prepared for what they encounter.

But Griffin Conservatory is not just for the young. “We say it’s for early-career actors,” says Zarko, “and that means anyone, of any age, who is becoming more serious about acting as a major aspect of their life.” That expands the relevance of the program to include those who have decided to change careers and want a relatively quick investigation of what it might mean to become an actor; or who have been performing as talented amateurs for years and want some formal training to make the experience more fulfilling; or to those who are mid-career, that is, professionals who feel the need to buff up their skills and broaden their artistic horizons.

“It also works for young people who aren’t sure they really want to act professionally but want to catch a glimpse what the world could look like as a professional actor. After a relatively small expense of time and money, they’ll have a much stronger idea of what their choices are, and can make larger decisions based on real experience.”

Admission to Griffin Conservatory is by audition because the faculty believes that a prospective student must feel strongly enough about joining the program to put the time and effort into creating a really complete and representative audition. “It’s not so much a test of talent, as it is a test of resolve.” says acting instructor Mary Ethel Schmidt. The faculty truly believes that no one with real commitment and enthusiasm should be turned away, so long as they have some affinity for the art. A great talent makes the road easier, but even a little talent can blossom into something spectacular given the right nourishment.

Nourishment is what Griffin Conservatory is about. “If a graduate decides, even after a year as an apprentice, that he wants to become a fire fighter, well, he’ll be a better one for having been trained as an actor,” says voice and speech teacher Page Clements. “Acting teaches you how to listen, how to respond truthfully, how to work with a team without losing your sense of self. What career isn’t enhanced by such things?” Griffin Conservatory is designed to nourish those qualities, and to better each student’s experience in life, no matter what choices are made.

An audition can be arranged by visiting the Theatre’s web site www.thenortheasttheatre.us, clicking on “Education” and following the instructions outlined in “Fees, Auditions & Payment”. Full information about the program can also be found on the web site. Prospective students may also call 570-558-1515 (if the call is answered by voice mail, they should leave a message in box 1.) Those who sign up for an audition by June 30, 2007, receive a substantial discount on the course fee. Limited work study and financial assistance is available.
Griffin Conservatory may also be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit through Marywood University’s Department of Communication. For more information on academic credit, contact Dr. Paulette Merchel at (570) 340-2552.