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Level 1
Foundational technique is taught through script analysis, character development, improv, solo work and partnered scene work. The course also covers an introduction to professional opportunities in commercial, TV/Sitcom, film, theatre, TelePrompTer, and voice over fields. Most of the work is done in class and there is little outside homework.
Level 2
Level 2 builds on Level 1. With a deeper understanding of technique, students will work on more complex characters and complicated scene work. Level 2 also introduces solo exercise work and additional movement and imagination work and Green Screen. Most of the work is done in class and there is modest outside homework, all individual.
Level 3
Advanced students that have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Verve are invited to Level 3. Since classes are always small, every student’s progress is tracked and each student is challenged where they are at. Level 3 adds units on voice production, hosting, and comedy. Most of the work is done in class, but often scripts will be sent ahead of time and are expected to be worked on outside of class.
Level 4
Advanced students that have studied for a minimum of 3 years at Verve are invited to Level 4. By this level, students are working at a professional level and expectations are to come to every class fully prepared. Level 4 adds stage combat, emotional work and Shakespeare. Most of the work is done in class, but often scripts will be frequently sent ahead of time and are expected to be worked on outside of class.
Every class starts with physical and vocal work to warm up the instrument and improv work to warm up the heart and mind. After the warm-up, the class moves into the unit work for the rest of the day. Each unit lasts between 2 and 5 weeks.
Open to Young Actors:
• With some experience
• Brand new to acting
• Professional/represented actors
• Wanting to audition for theatre
• Wanting to improve their craft
• Looking for creative expression opportunities
• Actors that may wish to get a talent agent
• Actors that already have representation
BY THE NUMBERS/IN STUDIO:
Number of classes in term: 33 classes
Number of class time hours: 49.5 hours
Maximum class size: 12.
Years coaches have been teaching: 20+ (Amanda), 12+ (Ashley)
2024-25 class registrations are open!
MONDAYS, September 16, 2024 – May 12, 2025
4:30-6 pm | Taught by: Amanda Melby + Guest Artists
Levels 3, 4 & 5 # | High School
grades 8-12
IN STUDIO CLASS | $176*/month
[Off/no class on: 12/16/24, 12/23/24, 12/30/24]
TUESDAYS, September 17, 2024 – May 13, 2025
4:30-6 pm | Taught by Ashley Faulkner (+ Amanda Melby + Guest Artists)
Levels 1 & 2 | High School
grades 9-12
IN STUDIO CLASS | $176/month*
[Off/no class on: 12/17/24, 12/24/4, 12/31/24]
WEDNESDAYS, September 18, 2024 – May 14, 2025
4:30- 6 pm | Taught by Ashley Faulkner (+ Amanda Melby)
Levels 1, 2, & 3 | Middle School
grades 6-8
IN STUDIO CLASS | $176/month*
[Off/no class on: 12/18/24, 12/25/24, 1/1/25]
9/3/24: Class is full
Spots still available in the Saturday Class (7th-12th Grade)
THURSDAYS, September 12, 2024 – May 15, 2025
4:30- 6 pm Taught by Ashley Faulkner
Levels 1 & 2 | Elementary School
grades 4-6
IN STUDIO CLASS | $176/month*
[Off/no class on: Thanksgiving 11/28/24; 12/19/24, 12/26/24, 1/2/25]
SATURDAYS, September 14, 2024 – May 17, 2025
10:30 am- 12 pm MST | Taught by Ashley Faulkner (+ Amanda Melby)
Levels 1, 2 & 3 | Middle-High School
grades 7-12
IN STUDIO CLASS | $176/month*
[Off/no class on: 11/30/24, 12/21/24, 12/28/24, 1/4/25.]
How big are the classes? Classes are limited to 12 students. A small class size ensures that every student works at every class and gets individual attention.
Why are there two levels combined in one class? Because the classes are small, (and because Amanda is a spreadsheet nerd!), Amanda knows what each student has worked on at Verve. She keeps track of the commercials, voice overs, monologues and scenes that each student has worked on. Because of this, she is able to customize the experience for each student.
What if I just want to try acting? This sounds too intense for me. Even though it is a class, we still have FUN! Students get out of it what they put into it, so if you want to come and explore, it’s still a great class for you. If you just like acting and want to continue to act as a hobby, that is fantastic and you are welcome! Acting skills are life skills, so even if you don’t think (or don’t know yet) if you want to work professionally, you’ll still learn skills that will help you in life. In addition, expressing yourself artistically is essential to your long term well-being, and Verve’s youth programs are a safe place to explore and express your inner artist. However, we also offer Saturday workouts and summer camps that have a shorter time commitment. The Saturday workouts are a la carte and you can attend them as your schedule permits. The weekday training program is designed to build on skills as the year and levels advance.
Who should take the class? If you want to audition for theatre – a play or musical – where there are cuts, this class will help you get and maintain a competitive edge. If you want to get an agent here in Phoenix, this class is essential. Phoenix agents represent you “across the board,” which means in commercials, voice over, film, TV, hosting and print. You must have training, and skills, in all of these areas. If you want to get an agent in LA (First talk to your parents! That is a huge commitment!), the skills you learn in the class are applicable to huge markets. (Phoenix is the 6th market Amanda and lived and worked in, so the curriculum reflects that experience.) If you already have an agent, you know that ongoing training is essential to being competitive. Most agents actually require you to train regularly.
Who teaches the classes? Amanda Melby designed all of the curriculum and materials. She has been a working actor for 30+ years, a member of SAG-AFTRA for 25 years and a member of AEA for 20 years. She has a B.A. in Theatre and English from Concordia College in MN, has studied in Howard Fine’s and Gunnar Rohrbacher's Master classes in LA and has training from all of the markets she’s lived and worked in. Ashley Faulkner graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Theatre and Film Studies. Read their BIOS here.
What if I get cast in a show? Or have an audition/booking out of town? Awesome! When you audition for the play, put your class as a conflict. Often they can work around it. (Or you can leave early from class to get to rehearsal on time.) If they aren’t able to work around it, temporarily drop the class (by the 20th of the month) during the tech/run and re-enroll after the show opens. If you are travelling frequently to LA for last minute auditions, contact Amanda to work something out.
What are the payment options? Tuition is based on the full amount of classes for the school year. You can opt for One payment (5% discount; no refunds), Trimester payments (Sept, Nov and February payments) or Monthly payments.
For monthly or trimester payments, we require a credit card to auto-bill on the set dates. If you are joining or re-joining mid-month, individual classes are $50/each.
We don’t offer drop-ins, this option is only for those enrolling or re-enrolling after dropping if mid-month due to a play or life event.
FAQs
How do I know which class is right for me?
Start with the Level and Grade. If new to Verve, then select Level 1 on the day your grade is offered. If you have taken class before, then you'd be level 2 (or higher) on the day your grade meets.
If you are in 4th-6th grade, you can take THURSDAYS Level 1-2.
If you are in 6th-8th grade, you can take WEDNESDAYS or SATURDAYS (Level 1-3).
If you are in 9th-12th, you can take MONDAYS (Level 3 and up) or TUESDAY (Level 1-2). You can also take SATURDAY.
If you haven’t taken class at Verve before, enroll in Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday based on your age or grade. (The ages and grades overlap by design).
If you have taken only the Saturday workouts or summer camps at Verve, enroll in Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday based on your age or grade. (The ages and grades overlap by design).
If you haven’t taken classes at Verve before, but have taken more than a year of classes at other studios, contact Amanda to schedule an audition. Students must be proficient in commercials, voice over, improv, film auditioning and scene work to work in the Monday class. At the audition, students will perform a prepared monologue (their choice) and a commercial cold read (Amanda’s choice).
Still not sure? Call or e-mail Amanda to set up a meeting.
For Currently enrolled students only:
TUESDAYS, June 4-25, 2024
4:30-6 pm | Taught by: Amanda Melby
Experienced Actors | High School (+ rising 8th graders that have already completed Level 1 PTP)
$176 or $55/class