Women & Girls Self-Defense Workshop

Join us for an empowering, action-packed workshop designed specifically for women and girls. Ages 11+

This class skips the long lectures and gets you moving with hands-on training.

You’ll gain practical skills in:

Verbal and physical self-defense

Improvised weapons training

Martial arts techniques

Ground defense

Live demonstrations

LOTS of real practice

Walk away with confidence, awareness, and skills you can use immediately.

When: Sunday, March 1st.

Time: 11:00-1:00 PM

Cost: $50/ per person

FIT4MOM, West Seattle (across from Hiawatha Park)

To register for this workshop email Playhousenw@gmail.com or call the Playhouse Northwest at 206-919-7407. Pre payment is required.

Accepted payments:

Venmo: Lisa-Skvarla-1

Paypal: Lskvarla@aolcom

Zelle: Lisa Skvarla

Space is limited!

Thank you.

Go to the Meisner Registration tab on our website to actually register.
Thank you.

2026 CLASSES

If you’re serious about transforming your acting, this is the place to start. For professional actors in film and television, its no secret that Meisner work is their super power in both their life and career. The benefits include a greater sense of truth, emotional depth and flexibility in your work.

There are four levels of classes, each 8 weeks long. Students can take classes once a week. Outside practice is required.

Call Playhouse NW at 206-919-7407 to register. Or register online.
All levels are welcome. Each student will work at their own level.
If you have any questions you can contact the Playhouse Northwest Acting School office at 206-919-7407.
Level 1: Foundation – Living Truthfully

Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances,Sanford Meisner said. In our first eight weeks together, we will work on the first half of that statement: living truthfully.

Working through this innovative, step-by-step series of improvisational exercises will train you to be thoroughly responsive, emotionally alive, spontaneous and absolutely grounded in the reality of what is happening at any given moment with any given person. These foundational exercises will get you out of your head and into being absolutely present to the world around you and the people with whom you share it.

Level 2: Under Imaginary Circumstances

In Level 2, we will begin to explore imaginary circumstances. New elements will be added to the exercises that will work to broaden your imagination, exercise your faith in given circumstances and ground your acting in your own unique point of view.

As you continue this work through the advanced exercises, we will begin to show you ways to bring the improvisational nature of Meisner work to actual scripts by turning the script into an improvisation with words.

Level 3: Emotional Preparation

Acting is an emotional art form, yet as Meisner told us, acting is not emoting. So how do we deepen our emotional life without becoming indulgent, self-conscious actors? How do we meet the emotional demands of the script without faking anything?

Level 3 has the answers. You will be guided through a eight-week series of exercises designed to deepen and set free your emotional life. The emotional preparation and particularization exercises will give you the tools you need to truthfully meet the deepest emotional demands of any script.

Level 4: Tackling the Text / Performance Class

You will learn how to work with text, break down scripts and put scenes up on their feet. You will read a script with the precision and dexterity of a surgeon, work with impediments, discover how to make active choices that work for you, and unlock your ability to personalize the circumstances of the scripts you work on.

You will emerge with a concrete, no-nonsense process that will give you a solid foundation for the rest of your acting career.

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Seattle Area
MEISNER ACTING PLAYDATE. (All levels welcome)

Sunday, Feb 1st
11:00-2:00 PM

FIT4MOM (West Seattle Studio)
2707 California Ave SW (Across from Hiawatha Park )
West Seattle, WA.

Tuition: $75

⸻

ABOUT THE PLAYDATE

This in-person Meisner Acting Playdate offers a dynamic and supportive environment for actors to learn and/ or deepen their craft. Each session includes engaging warm-up exercises that progress into Meisner foundational work, improvisation, and cold reading skills.

Optional- Actors are encouraged to bring monologues and/or scenes they wish to explore. Advanced Meisner students are welcome to work at their appropriate level.

Audition and résumé feedback is available upon request for actors with upcoming auditions.

⸻

INSTRUCTOR

Lisa Skvarla
Teaching Faculty, Playhouse Northwest
Bio: playhousenw.com/lisa-skvarla

⸻

REGISTRATION

Email: playhousenw@gmail.com

Pre-payment required:
Venmo: Lisa-Skvarla-1
PayPal: lskvarla@aol.com

For additional questions, contact the Playhouse Northwest Office:
📞 206-919-7407

⚠️ Space is limited

CDA/Spokane Area
MEISNER ACTING PLAYDATE. (All levels welcome)

Saturday, January 25
1:00 – 4:00 PM

Follow My Lead Dance Studio
North Howard St., Suite D
Coeur d’Alene, ID

Tuition: $75

⸻

ABOUT THE PLAYDATE

This in-person Meisner Acting Playdate offers a dynamic and supportive environment for actors to learn and/ or deepen their craft. Each session includes engaging warm-up exercises that progress into Meisner foundational work, improvisation, and cold reading skills.

Optional- Actors are encouraged to bring monologues and/or scenes they wish to explore. Advanced Meisner students are welcome to work at their appropriate level.

Audition and résumé feedback is available upon request for actors with upcoming auditions.

⸻

INSTRUCTOR

Lisa Skvarla
Teaching Faculty, Playhouse Northwest
Bio: playhousenw.com/lisa-skvarla

⸻

REGISTRATION

Email: playhousenw@gmail.com

Pre-payment required:
Venmo: Lisa-Skvarla-1
PayPal: lskvarla@aol.com

For additional questions, contact the Playhouse Northwest Office:
📞 206-919-7407

⚠️ Space is limited

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!

Playhouse Northwest Acting School

Upcoming Classes | First Quarter

🎭

ACTING CLASSES & PLAYDATES

CDA / Spokane

🎬 Meisner Acting Playdate

Sun, Jan 25 | 1:00–4:00 PM

📍 Coeur d’Alene, ID

🎬 In-Person Acting Class (8 Weeks)

Begins Sun, Feb 15 | 1:00–3:30 PM

📍 Coeur d’Alene, ID

💻 Online Meisner Acting Class (8 Weeks)

Begins Thurs, Feb 19 | 7:00–9:30 PM

📍 Zoom

Seattle Area

🎬 Meisner Acting Play date

Sun, Feb 1st & March 1 | 1:00–4:00 PM

📍 West Seattle

🎬 Meisner Acting Playdate

Sun, March 29 | 1:00–4:00 PM

📍 West Seattle

🎬 Scene Study Class

Instructor: Bonnie Root

📍 Seattle | TBA

WOMEN / GIRLS SELF-DEFENSE

CDA / Spokane

🥋 Self-Defense Class

Sat, Jan 24 | 2:00–4:00 PM

📍 Post Falls, ID

Seattle Area

🥋 Self-Defense Class

Sun, Feb 1 | 2:00–4:00 PM

📍 West Seattle

⚔️

SPECIALTY WORKSHOP

⚔️ Sword Fighting for Film

Instructor: Chad Hawthorne

📍 CDA / Spokane | TBA

📅

REGISTRATION OPENS

Thursday, January 8

📧 PlayhouseNW@gmail.com

🌐 www.playhousenw.com

💳 Venmo Accepted

#acting #selfdefense #playhousenw #play #fun #adults #kids

“Grateful to have been featured twice in the paper over the past six weeks, highlighting the work we’re doing to strengthen and support our community.” Check out the awesome articles!❤️

https://cdapress.com/news/2025/sep/27/fast-five-lisa-skvarla-woman-of-actopm/

https://cdapress.com/news/2025/jul/29/imagination-rules-at-action-day-camp-in-post-falls/