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Maggie Flanigan Studio, an acting academy in New York, NY, is happy to announce that the studio is reopening its in-person instruction with the grand reopening set for September 10, 2021. Registration is now open for one of the top two year acting programs in New York City that is being offered by the acting studio. After being forced to shut down temporarily its in-person training as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, they had to move to the virtual space. Nevertheless, the studio persevered by adapting its classes to ensure that it will continue to be the premier source of instruction for the Meisner acting technique. The Maggie Flanigan Studio’s two year in-person program is designed to teach the Meisner Technique of acting, which is actually a revolutionary approach that was named after the legendary actor and teacher Sanford Meisner. https://flic.kr/p/2mmEtCJ

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Charlie Sandlan, Executive Director and Head of Acting at Maggie Flanigan Studio, says, “The last year and a half has tested the world's resiliency. It has been most devastating for performers, students, crew members, and the small businesses that are responsible for most of the serious arts training in cities across the US for our artistic community. We needed to reimagine our idea of theater, performance, and the classroom. As we collectively move forward to in-person collaboration, we have an opportunity to rebirth our creative lives. If you have been sitting on a dream, keeping it dormant, waiting for a time to roll the dice on yourself, the time to start a new chapter is now. Rarely are we given an opportunity to start again. It's scary and requires a leap of faith but don't let this next chapter be wasted.” The core of the two year acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is the Meisner Technique. The is a method of training actors that is based on the truth and the imagination of the artist. It begins with a very basic Meisner repetition exercise that is designed to sharpen the actor’s ability truly listen, answer, and respond. During the first year that is made up of more than nine months of training, the work of the students evolves into a very rich improvisational Meisner exercise that includes all the fundamentals of acting. The actor is asked to bring this work to three rounds of scenes during the first year of training. This is essential because if the actor is unable to bring the fundamentals to scene work, the exercise is actually useless. Furthermore, the actor will learn how to determine the previous circumstance of a scene, how to establish an emotional connection with it, and how to develop an acting relationship. The capability to act truthfully even under imaginary circumstances is the standard that actors need to strive to achieve. https://flic.kr/p/2mmDfAb

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The second year of training provides the actor with tools to hone his or her character work, which is the highest form of acting. This means the actor is able to step into the shoes of another person and elucidate the human condition in every aspect. Script interpretation and character development is the heart of the second year of the acting training. Another key part of the second year of training is teaching the actor about the rehearsal process and what will be expected of the actor professionally. The goal of the two-year acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is to instill in the person a way of acting that will function as the foundation of their talent. As such, the Maggie Flanigan Studio is willing to accept all students who have a truly serious desire to develop their craft as professional actors, who would like to get more than just acting lessons in New York City. The studio is focused on meeting the highest professional standards and students are expected to be capable of working within a creative environment that is constantly requiring artistic excellence. Those who are interested in learning more about the 2 year acting programs can check out the Maggie Flanigan Studio website, or contact them on the phone or through email. This press release first appeared here: www.pressadvantage.com/story/45376-maggie-flanigan-studio... https://flic.kr/p/2mmJe9n

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Registration is now open for the top two year acting program in New York City. The core of the two year acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio is the Meisner Technique. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/press-releases/acting-studio... The Maggie Flanigan Studio is willing to accept all students who have a truly serious desire to develop their craft as professional actors. Those who are interested in learning more about the 2 year acting programs can check out the Maggie Flanigan Studio website, or contact them on the phone or through email. https://flic.kr/p/2mmJe9x

Maggie Flanigan Studio Reopening 2021

Charlie talks about the challenges of the pandemic and jumping off the cliff to take a chance. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/meisner-acting/creative-resi... Creative Resilience and the Pandemic The Maggie Flanigan Studio proudly announces the reopening of the acting studio and in-person acting classes on September 10th, 2021. In this video Charlie Sandlan talks about the challenges and opportunities that have come from the pandemic. So, the last year and a half has been, I think, a test of the world's resiliency. Certainly for the creative community, our community, it has been devastating. It's been really, really difficult. We have been forced to re-imagine what it means to be a performer, what it means to create, what it means to be in a classroom again. Now we're coming out of a really dark period, and I think that right now, all of us and certainly those of us that create for a living, have an opportunity to rebirth ourselves. The time's not right, I want to wait until this pandemic is over. You have dreams and you have passions, things that you want to do with your life. Now is an opportunity to check in with yourself, to intervene with the excuses that have been keeping you from really rolling the dice on yourself. That's what I'm talking about. Taking a risk. You know what? I want to do this with my life. I've been wanting to do it for a long time and maybe I've been sitting on the sidelines doing a crappy job, something I don't like. The opportunity is now. My wish for all of us, as we enter into this fall, as we jump off the cliff and take a chance, don't let it get wasted. Find the courage to work through whatever scares you, because I'll tell you I'm scared. I'm scared to death, but you can't have courage without being scared. It's okay to be terrified of taking a chance, of putting yourself on the line. Don't let it go to waste. 2021 Two Year Acting Program To learn more about the re-opening of Maggie Flanigan studio visit the studio website. Actors who are are interested in the 2021 Two Year Acting Program, should apply through the website or call the studio at (917) 789-1599. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/meisner-acting/creative-resi... https://flic.kr/p/2mmrma9

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Maggie Flanigan Studio 147 W. 25th St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 (917) 789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny www.google.com/maps?cid=17904951966372592922 twitter.com/MeisnerActing www.facebook.com/MeisnerActing/ meisneracting10001.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/index.html maggieflaniganstudio.business.site/ www.pearltrees.com/maggieflaniganstudio https://flic.kr/p/2mmspTk

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Charlie talks about the challenges of the pandemic and jumping off the cliff to take a chance. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/meisner-acting/creative-resi... Creative Resilience and the Pandemic The Maggie Flanigan Studio proudly announces the reopening of the acting studio and in-person acting classes on September 10th, 2021. In this video Charlie Sandlan talks about the challenges and opportunities that have come from the pandemic. So, the last year and a half has been, I think, a test of the world's resiliency. Certainly for the creative community, our community, it has been devastating. It's been really, really difficult. We have been forced to re-imagine what it means to be a performer, what it means to create, what it means to be in a classroom again. Now we're coming out of a really dark period, and I think that right now, all of us and certainly those of us that create for a living, have an opportunity to rebirth ourselves. The time's not right, I want to wait until this pandemic is over. You have dreams and you have passions, things that you want to do with your life. Now is an opportunity to check in with yourself, to intervene with the excuses that have been keeping you from really rolling the dice on yourself. Maggie Flanigan Studio 147 W. 25th St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 (917) 789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny www.google.com/maps?cid=17904951966372592922 twitter.com/MeisnerActing www.facebook.com/MeisnerActing/ meisneracting10001.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/index.html maggieflaniganstudio.business.site/ www.pearltrees.com/maggieflaniganstudio https://flic.kr/p/2mmspU2

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That's what I'm talking about. Taking a risk. You know what? I want to do this with my life. I've been wanting to do it for a long time and maybe I've been sitting on the sidelines doing a crappy job, something I don't like. The opportunity is now. My wish for all of us, as we enter into this fall, as we jump off the cliff and take a chance, don't let it get wasted. Find the courage to work through whatever scares you, because I'll tell you I'm scared. I'm scared to death, but you can't have courage without being scared. It's okay to be terrified of taking a chance, of putting yourself on the line. Don't let it go to waste. 2021 Two Year Acting Program To learn more about the re-opening of Maggie Flanigan studio visit the studio website. Actors who are are interested in the 2021 Two Year Acting Program, should apply through the website or call the studio at (917) 789-1599. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/meisner-acting/creative-resi... Maggie Flanigan Studio 147 W. 25th St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 (917) 789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny www.google.com/maps?cid=17904951966372592922 twitter.com/MeisnerActing www.facebook.com/MeisnerActing/ meisneracting10001.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/index.html maggieflaniganstudio.business.site/ www.pearltrees.com/maggieflaniganstudio https://flic.kr/p/2mmixFV

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Charlie talks about the challenges of the pandemic and jumping off the cliff to take a chance. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/meisner-acting/creative-resi... Creative Resilience and the Pandemic The Maggie Flanigan Studio proudly announces the reopening of the acting studio and in-person acting classes on September 10th, 2021. In this video Charlie Sandlan talks about the challenges and opportunities that have come from the pandemic. Maggie Flanigan Studio 147 W. 25th St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 (917) 789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny www.google.com/maps?cid=17904951966372592922 twitter.com/MeisnerActing www.facebook.com/MeisnerActing/ meisneracting10001.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/index.html maggieflaniganstudio.business.site/ www.pearltrees.com/maggieflaniganstudio https://flic.kr/p/2mmnojK

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"My wish for all of us, as we enter into this fall, as we jump off the cliff and take a chance, don't let it get wasted. Find the courage to work through whatever scares you, because I'll tell you I'm scared. I'm scared to death, but you can't have courage without being scared. It's okay to be terrified of taking a chance, of putting yourself on the line. Don't let it go to waste." - Charlie Sandlan 2021 Two Year Acting Program To learn more about the re-opening of Maggie Flanigan studio visit the studio website. Actors who are are interested in the 2021 Two Year Acting Program, should apply through the website or call the studio at (917) 789-1599. Maggie Flanigan Studio 147 W. 25th St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10001 (917) 789-1599 www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/new-york-ny www.google.com/maps?cid=17904951966372592922 twitter.com/MeisnerActing www.facebook.com/MeisnerActing/ meisneracting10001.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/index.html maggieflaniganstudio.business.site/ www.pearltrees.com/maggieflaniganstudio https://flic.kr/p/2mmspTv

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Q: How did the sense of community affect your experience this year in the studio and classes on Zoom? I'd say both experiences in person and online have shown the importance of having an artistic community. I've always been very much of a lone wolf, and I came into Maggie, like I said, pretty emotionally unavailable and very focused on my career path and the only things that I was doing. It took me a couple of months to warm up to the people in my class to open myself up. That's why I came to Maggie. I wanted to be surrounded by other artists, by other people on the path. I found it invaluable to have that energy and not only speaking virtually once we went online, but it also gave me that connection, that life support to my artistic life that I wouldn't have had otherwise. It became super, super important, not only watching my peers work and getting their feedback, but my work being observed by my peers and just growing together. It gives you comfort that you're not alone on this path and that the struggles and the doubts that you're experiencing are similar to your person. Q: What was your experience finishing up the first year online via Zoom and the virtual platform? Yes. The example I always give is a silly one, but if you've ever had to break up with someone and you were like when we were younger, when do I do it via text or call or in person or at least call them. Then we had Skype, and it was like FaceTime, and it was just as freaking scary as seeing them in person. I make the same comparison because we have video, and because I see your face and the contact is, I would say 95% real contact. We don't have the physical spontaneity, and so I've just found the work to translate beautifully to the camera. We're human beings, we adapt, we've gotten used to it, and so much of the industry's work will involve these screens that I completely embraced it. I found that having to do the work by myself was harder, yes, and it challenged me to go deeper. It's making me better because I have to focus more. I have to manage myself better, and I have to go deeper with the work, and I'm thrilled. I'm delighted that I took that on, and I'm looking forward to doing the second year online. Right now, there isn't another option, and that's why I encourage anyone who's on the fence about it you get plugged into this great community. You're getting the training, and it's more or less very equal to what would have been in person, and you can do it from wherever you are. I think it's a blessing. I think it's a blessing, and I speak very highly of it. It's a good experience. Q: Did you feel like Charlie's expectations and standards changed because the classes were online? I think Charlie handled an unprecedented and wildly confusing situation with so much poise and vulnerability and honesty with us and gave us space and empathy when we were transitioning. Once we reestablished, this is the way things will be online, and Charlie was Charlie, and he is holding us accountable for our work, and I wanted that. He's never faltered in his standards with us and continues to push us even harder now because of the extra effort required to work on this platform. To learn more about the two-year acting program and the studio's online acting classes, visit the studio website and contact the studio with any question by calling (917) 789-1599. https://flic.kr/p/2jFqaVK

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Q: Had you ever worked with the Meisner technique before you started training at the studio? I had not. Q: If you could pick one or two things that resonated with you about the Meisner technique, what would those things be? I would say the first and fundamental thing would be working from our imagination and not having to pull from past personal and traumatic experiences, and strengthening our muscles of creativity and how that can also enrich our lives beyond acting. That leads me to the second thing, which I think is embracing your inner child and bringing a childlike wonder and innocence and also fearlessness to work into our lives. Q: What would you say is the biggest thing that you learned about yourself that surprised you during this first year of training? Oh, good question. I was surprised by how deep I was able to go. This work has genuinely saved my emotional life in a way that it's reconnected me with the essence of who I am emotionally, and it's allowed me to reclaim or begin to reclaim my vulnerability and to embrace that. I was surprised and humbled by realizing that the work works. I trusted Charlie and Maggie from day one, and I truly began to transform, and I'm so excited to continue on that journey. Q: Can you talk a little bit about the additional classes? Sure. It felt very holistic and like I was on triple throttle having the movement, especially the voice and the movement classes. I'll even mention the theater history class because it gave context to a lot of the work we were doing, and coming from a non-theater background, it enriched the experience. Voice and movement were going hand in hand with the work we were doing. Charlie would tell us we have to loosen up and open up our instrument and ease the tension. I was so glad to be doing that in the movement class, and not having that with the virtual experience has only highlighted the importance of having that holistic approach. I can't wait to be able to do more of that work again. To learn more about the two-year acting program and the studio's online acting classes, visit the studio website and contact the studio with any question by calling (917) 789-1599. https://flic.kr/p/2jFqaW1

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Q: Belén, before we get into questions about the pandemic and acting classes on Zoom, just a little bit of background about yourself. What did you think it meant to train as an actor before you started studying at Maggie Flanigan Studio? Before I started studying at Maggie Flanigan, I was mostly a commercial actress and model. Mainly all the acting work I was doing was in commercials, and I did that for several years. Any training I had done had been more commercial-based and about looking good in front of the camera, speaking, creating an appearance, or coming off as good as possible. I think I had a notion of, and ultimately is what I found, and what drew me to Maggie was the idea of training more for film, for character work, for more profound behavioral work. My concept evolved once I started thinking about expanding into film acting. Q: How has your idea of training changed after finishing the first year of the two-year program? It has grown, it has expanded, and it has become so much more personal than I thought it would be. I remember Charlie's interview; I said I want to act because I want to live other experiences. I want to be outside of myself and inhabit these different characters and other lives. Charlie said, "Yes, but it's still you." I was running away from myself, and what the training has taught me is that I have to run towards myself to be the actor that I want to be. It has opened me up to transformation on not just an artistic level but a personal level. To learn more about the two-year acting program and the studio's online acting classes, visit the studio website and contact the studio with any question by calling (917) 789-1599. https://flic.kr/p/2jFqaVQ

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The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides a two-year professional actor training program. In this interview, Belen Cusi discusses the decision to train with the studio after working as a commercial actor and model. "I was running away from myself, and what the training has taught me is that I have to run towards myself to be the actor that I want to be. It has opened me up to transformation on not just an artistic level but a personal level." To learn more about the two-year acting program and the studio's online acting classes, visit the studio website and contact the studio with any question by calling (917) 789-1599. https://flic.kr/p/2jFtB5z

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Sydney Nordan is an actor at the Maggie Flanigan Studio in New York City. In this interview Sydney talks about the decision to train at the studio and what it has been like coming out while she was enrolled in the program. Q: Sydney, tell me about your background in acting? I actually did not study anywhere else, and I don't really have any kind of background in acting. Q: What did you think Meisner training was before you started the 18-month program at Maggie Flanigan Studio? I actually knew really nothing about acting, and I actually read about it on this studio, our website online. Then I looked into a few other places and other definitions of it, but I really didn't understand it fully until I came here. Q: What were the specific steps that led you to Maggie Flanigan Studio? I knew that I really wanted to be serious about acting, and I wanted to find a very serious studio. I was ready to commit myself and my time 100%. I actually researched about a lot of studios in New York, and I called and actually talked to you on the phone. I asked you a ton of questions. Then I came in and I had an interview with Karen. I was going to interview at other studios actually, and I wasn't completely set until I met with Karen and Charlie. I just got this incredible vibe about this studio and what they were doing and how passionate they were when they talked and how they treated me. After my interview-- I actually cried with my interview with Karen. After my interview, I was like, "Let me come. Let me be here, please." Then I joined the studio after that. Q: Where were you living before you moved to New York? Did you move here specifically to pursue your acting career? Absolutely. I moved here-- I originally had no plans. I'm from Alabama. I’ve transferred up here to play soccer in college actually from the University of Alabama. I played in Connecticut for two years. Then when I decided and I started into this program, I was actually commuting about two and a half hours and I was playing soccer. I was going to college, I was taking eight classes because I was ready to graduate. I was working two jobs and it just-- this program was absolutely worth it to me. We were doing our scenes. Charlie came in to visit and to see our scenes, which he does in first year. He told us after our class, he was just like, "If you want to do this work, you have to fully commit. You need to be here, be on time, and everything like that." I sat in my seat and I sobbed because I realized I was doing so many other things that I couldn't fully commit. I actually have played soccer my entire life. I played semi-professional and professionally overseas. I did not end up finishing out my last year of eligibility in college. I had one more year, I did not do it. I decided right then in that class when he talked to us that I was moving to New York. I actually moved in with a girl who is going to the studio right now and we’re best friends and we live together. It’s been amazing, but I did commute for the whole first-- the January session. Q: Did your family support your decision to move here? My family doesn’t know that I'm up here acting actually. They think it's a hobby. I made the move by myself. I did everything by myself. My cousins, they support me and my acting friends here support me and they’re my family here. That's all that really hasn't mattered to me. My parents just wouldn't understand the whole turn from-- I was supposed to go down this road and then completely changed my life to a career that isn't always stable and they don’t get that, but you know, like I said, my friends here are my family and I love it. Acting has completely fulfilled my life and I have never been happier than I am right now at the studio. Q: What advice would you give to people or prospective students watching this video who are thinking about moving to NYC to train? Get ready. It's going to be a great ride. Honestly, you learn so much about yourself. I didn't even know who I was until I came here. I'm actually gay and my family doesn't even know. I was so conflicted on the inside about that. Last year through the acting training, I came completely out because I couldn't hide it anymore. You just learn how to look at other people and look at the world in such a new perspective. I think that you should be aware when you come to training that that's what's going to happen to you. You are going to open up. You are going to be emotionalized. I don't know, the world is just a really bright place. It's really good. Q: Do you have any advice for people who are feeling anxious or scared or nervous? It was a hard journey but I ultimately, I needed to do this. I needed to do it for myself. I knew my family wasn't going to be completely behind me. I honestly believe that this is your life. You have to do what is going to make you happy, ultimately. That's just, that's really it. Be ready. You're going to have your days. I had a day that I just broke down and just and cried. I was like, "What am I doing? My whole life is different." There is such beauty in that, your life is going to change. Everyone evolves. I think, honestly, just step into it with courage and go for it. Just be happy. Learn more about Karen Chamberlain, Charlie Sandlan and the acting programs at the Maggie Flanigan Studio by visiting the acting programs page on the studio website. Actors who are interested in applying for the 18 month acting program should apply online and contact the studio at (917) 789-1599 to arrange a personal interview with Charlie Sandlan. https://flic.kr/p/2e2wgeq

Two Year Acting Program | Julia Boyes Interview | 917-789-1599

In this video Julia Boyes talks about how the two year acting program prepared her to work professionally. Q: As an alumni of Maggie Flanigan Studio, what has your career been like after graduation? www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/two-year-acting-program/two-... http://flic.kr/p/PbUYms

Two Year Acting Program | Julia Boyes Interview | 917-789-1599

The Maggie Flanigan Studio in NYC provides a professional two year acting program that provides actors with the foundation that they need to have long established, acting careers. In this video Julia Boyes talks about how the two year acting program prepared her to work professionally. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/two-year-acting-program/two-... http://flic.kr/p/PGkkob

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Q: How do you feel that Maggie Flanigan Studio prepared you to work professionally? In every way shape and form. I know that without the training that I received at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, I would not have done any of the things that I have done professionally. From the fact that the studio trains you for auditions, and how to prepare for auditions, and how to rehearse well, then it gives you the endurance to be able to do 14 runs of a show. www.maggieflaniganstudio.com/two-year-acting-program/two-... http://flic.kr/p/PwN2XS

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The two year acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio provides actors with the foundations they need to have long careers. In this video Jes Tom reflects on the two year program and Meisner training. http://flic.kr/p/LyzR78

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The two year acting program at the Maggie Flanigan Studio provides actors with the foundations they need to have long careers. In this video Jes Tom reflects on the two year program and Meisner training. http://flic.kr/p/LvTNnJ