ACTORS BRIDGE Offers New Fall Classes

Nashville's Actors Bridge Ensemble has revealed some new course offerings for this fall, including Level One in the Meisner Technqiue taught by Vali Forrister, producing artistic director and co-founder of the critically lauded company - and includes a buzzed-about Star Wars Study Group, led by David Ian Lee.

• Meisner Technique: Level One with Vali Forrister, producing artistic director, Actors Bridge Ensemble: The Meisner Technique gets you out of your head and into the moment. At Actors Bridge, we take students through a step-by-step approach to the Meisner Technique giving them a strong foundation in being an emotionally available, truthfully responsive actor. The class meets Wednesdays, from 6 to 8 p.m., August 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; and October 7. Cost is $350. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-classes-session-1-actors-bridge-tickets-17890331463
• Star Wars Study Group with David Ian Lee, professional actor, director, playwright and nerd: Whether you're intimately familiar with that galaxy far, far away or you don't know a Yoda from a Yaddle, this examination of George Lucas' seminal space saga will provide playwrights, actors, and directors with tools directly applicable to the crafts of theatremaking, as well as serve as the ideal preparatory experience for the December 18 release of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Through master lectures, short exercises, and open discussions, this class - equal parts TED Talk and book club - will follow a "Machette Order" viewing of the saga, with topics moderated by Star Wars mega-nerd David Ian Lee, an internationally produced playwright, who has lectured at national theatre conferences on playmaking and its intersection with geekery, and whose YouTube video "Star Wars: Duel of the Cake" has gone, what the kids are calling, "viral." The course will culminate in a big ol' party in celebration of Episode VII's premiere featuring readings from William Shakespeare's Star Wars as well as general merrymaking and mayhem. May the Force be with you and Happy Life Day. Star Wars Study Group meets Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., October 29; November 5, 12, 19; and December 3 and 10; capped off with a party on December 17. Cost is $150 (payable in two installments of $75). https://www.eventbrite.com/e/star-wars-study-group-actors-bridge-tickets-17974670724
• Scene Study Sundays with professional directors Jessika Malone and David Ian Lee: Join directors from the Actors Bridge Ensemble mainstage for a very special opportunity to sharpen your skills and get the acting stretch you're aching for! As performers, we're always grateful for stage time, but as people of the theatre, we can sometimes find ourselves starving for an opportunity to break out of the box, play against "type," and reach a deeper authenticity. This unique six-week workshop is the perfect opportunity to hone your craft with confidence and explore the breadth of your potential. Students will work with instructors to select scenes that are best suited to their needs and abilities. The course will culminate in a public sharing of their work on the Actors Bridge Studio stage. Scene Study Sundays run from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and December 6. Cost is $300 and a special industry rate (sign up with a scene partner and split the fee of $150 each) is available. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-classes-session-1-actors-bridge-tickets-17890331463