Playhouse Northwest Acting School

Located in West Seattle - (206) 919-7407

LMA West Seattle Receives Best Martial Arts Teachers Award


A group of people standing around in a room.Lee’s Martial Arts in West Seattle is one of 20 schools who received the 2017 Best Martial Arts Teachers Award last week. There were 151 schools that were reviewed on the following criteria: Reputation, Credibility, Experience, Availability, and Professionalism. For more than 30 years, LMA has been a part of the martial arts community, and over the past three years, it has expanded to include Playhouse NW. “It is a privilege and honor to receive such recognition,” said Lisa Skvarla, who owns and runs the school with her husband Joe. (Click the image to read more.)

Kids Camp Movie Premier was a Smashing Success!


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On Sunday, December 11 the Summer Kids Camp students had their movie premier of Fearless at Playhouse NW Acting School. It was screened by a full house of friends, families, cast, and crew members. The stars of the movie walked the red carpet in stylish attire.  The night included appetizers, drinks, the movie, and a Q&A session with the cast and crew. The movie was so popular that within minutes CDs were sold out. Additional CDs are being ordered just in time for Christmas.

Fearless was shot in August during the hottest days of the year. Lisa Skvarla, producer/director of the film, said:

It was particularly challenging because we had 16 kids, special effects, stunts, messy props, multiple locations, a car scene, and a large spider as a cast member.  The week of movie camp included auditions, casting, table reads and rehearsals. The actual filming took place in a day and a half. So we were moving rather quickly and the kids got a good dose of how non-glamorous filmmaking can be.  Kudos to all the kids for being such troopers and professionals.â€

Camera work and postproduction editing was done by Kathryn Skvarla. She is a recent film and TV graduate from Central Washington University. “It was really cool to work with my daughter on a production,” Lisa said. “She does such a great job and she is very much part of the reason this camp is so successful. She is highly creative and meticulous in her work. I am very blessed to have her on my team.”

What’s next for Playhouse NW? There are plans to submit our movies into kids’ film festivals, and Lisa is highly confident they would do really well. The kids’ acting is stellar in both this year’s and last year’s films.  The Fearless storyline is entertaining and the postproduction is on a professional level. We are very excited about what we offer and how well received our films have been. Thank you to all the parents for sharing their talented kids with us. It’s been fun!

2017 Meisner Classes at PlayhouseNW


We’re excited to announce that Meisner classes are returning to Playhouse Northwest Acting School! You can learn more about the Meisner Technique here. 

We now offer evening and morning classes. The structured Meisner classes are the backbone of what we do. These classes are designed to be taken in sequence, each level lasting nine weeks. At each level on-camera, improvisational, and business skills will be interwoven into the curriculum.

Click here to purchase online

If you’re serious about transforming your acting, this is the place to start. For professional actors in film and television, it’s 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 nine weeks long. Students can take classes once or twice a week. Outside practice is required.

Each level costs $300. A $100 non refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. We have a winter special of all four levels for $900 — a savings of $300. This special will end Dec. 31, 2016.

Become a member of Playhouse NW for $100. Membership has its privileges. Check out all the terrific Benefits of membership!
Call Playhouse NW at 206-938-3375 to register.

Please Note: We offer scholarships, sliding scale, and creative financing upon request. For more information, please call the PHNW office at 206-938-3375.

Level 1: Foundation – Living Truthfully

“Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances,†Sanford Meisner said. In our first nine weeks together, we’ll 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.

Upcoming sessions 2017
Monday evenings: January 9 – March 6, 7:30- 10:00 p.m. (Instructor: Lisa Skvarla)
Thursday afternoons: January 12 –March 9, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Instructor Lisa Skvarla)

FAST TRACK (Both Days): January 9 – February 6 (9 Classes)

Click here to purchase online

Level 2: Under Imaginary Circumstances

In Level 2, we’ll 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’ll 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.

Upcoming Sessions 2017
Monday evenings: January 9 – March 6, 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. (Instructor: Lisa Skvarla)
Thursday afternoons: January 12 – March 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

FAST TRACK (Both Days): February 9 – March 9 (9 Classes)

Click here to purchase online

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’ll be guided through a nine-week series of exercises designed to deepen and set free your emotional life. The “emotional preparation†and “particularizationâ€
exercises will give you the tools you need to truthfully meet the deepest emotional demands of any script.
At the end of these nine weeks, you’ll put your new skills to the test and perform a scene for an invited audience.

Upcoming Sessions 2017
Wednesday Afternoon : March 29– May 24,  11:00- 1:30pm. (Instructor: Lisa Skvarla)
Wednesday Evening : March 29– May 24,  7:30-10:00 pm

*Additional classes may be added depending on the amount of students. 

Click here to purchase online

Level 4: Doing the Work

Here we’ll give you the interpretive tools you’ll need to put all your Meisner training into practice in the real world.

You’ll learn how to 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’ll emerge from Level 4 with a concrete, no-nonsense process that will give you a solid foundation for the rest of your acting career.

Upcoming Sessions 2017
Wednesday Morning: June 7 – August 2nd,  11:00-1:30pm (Instructor: Lisa Skvarla)
Wednesday Evening : June 7 – August 2, 7:30-10pm 

*Additional classes may be added depending on the number of students. 

 

Click here to purchase online

Advanced Meisner Scene Study

Scenes will be performed at Starlight Amphitheater in Cle Elum Wa.

Current and former students. Deepen your work, expand your craft and connect.

In this repeatable, advanced scene study class, you’ll be given the opportunity to work on two scenes using all of the tools you learned in Levels 1-4. Practice personalization, script analysis, emotional preparation, particularization and impediments, all while honing your ability to work off your scene partners.

This class will culminate in a performance for invited guests where you will perform one or both of your scenes.

Upcoming sessions TBA, online registration not yet available.

Happy Birthday PHNW! (Exciting June 2016 Line Up!)


Many workshops and events are coming to Lee’s Martial Arts and Playhouse Northwest Acting School in 2017. Look at some of our past offerings and check back soon to see what we have planned for Summer 2017! Call 206-938-3375 for more information. 

A birthday cake with the number 5 3 on it.

Happy Birthday Playhouse Northwest!

Playhouse NW is  turning 3 years old and we have much to celebrate! For 3 years we have been putting education and actors FIRST.  Please join us for cake, refreshments,  music, and good cheer on Monday June 20th.  You are welcome to take that night’s class for FREE, starting at 7:45 p.m. ( It will also be our last class before we go on Summer hiatus) . If you can’t make class, the celebration will start at 9:45 p.m. We would love to see you — friends and family are welcome, too.

Professionally yours,

Team Playhouse NW

3270 California Ave SW (upstairs)
PlayhouseNW.com
206-938-3375

Intro to Women’s and Girls’ Self-Defense

Learn street awareness, boundary setting, verbal and physical self-defense and improvised weapons. Recommended for ages 11 & up. Especially good for girls going off to high school and college.

Instructor: Master Lisa Skvarla, fourth-degree black belt

Wednesday, June 15, 7-9 p.m.

Fee: $35

Call 206-938-3375 to register

Fighting for Film

Un-armed fighting

You’ll be taken through various exercises to get comfortable with the fundamentals of stunt combat: safety, skeletal alignment, distance, timing, camera awareness and how to play to various angles, selling the fight, and choreography logic.

Sunday, June 26, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Fee: $50

Armed fighting

Blades: De Longis method

Sunday, June 26, 1:30-5:30 PM

Fee: $70
We’ll go through the system created by Anthony De Longis, starting with lightweight Western swords, then move on to heavier broadswords and the Japanese katana. Anthony’s universal method will expand your understanding of theatrical sword fighting and sharpen your skills immensely.

Both classes taken together: $110
Contact Lisa Skvarla

[email protected] or call 206-938-3375

About the teacher:

Kendall Wells is an actor and action performer who has studied under Anthony De Longis for 11 years and counting, and is one of very few people certified to teach the De Longis method. Kendall has been trusted to perform action with such actors as Elijah Wood, Manu Bennett, Rebecca Romijn and more. He brings his full passion for teaching to every class he instructs and cares deeply for the progress of all his students.

* Note: The next level of  Early Bird Special for summer camps ends June 2nd.

(NEW Date!) Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Camp 

This camp has been a favorite for over a decade. It includes: Tae Kwon Do, board breaking, acting games, bowling party, ice cream social, kickboxing, kids self-defense, fire safety, dodge ball, speaking Korean — and much more.
For ages 4.5 to 12 years old.

When: July 25-29, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m.)
Where: Lee’s Martial Arts, 3270 California Ave SW, Seattle WA 98136

Contact: 206-938-375
Instructor: Lisa Skvarla

Price: Early Bird Special *discounts are available:

May 1st-June 2nd $250
June 2nd-31st: $275
July 1st: $300

* After care available on request.

On-Camera Acting Camp for Kids 101

This introductory camp (101) will encourage your children (ages 7 and up) to use their imagination and to develop the techniques and confidence they need to create believable performances for the camera. This camp teaches the fundamentals of acting by using basic techniques and fun acting games. Children participate in class and work on improving their basic skills for auditions, improvisation, martial arts/fight choreography, Meisner technique and scene study. This camp prepares students for On-Camera Acting Camp For Kids102 (Movie Camp)

 *Camps may be attended separately but are best done together.*

When: Aug. 15-19, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m.; after care available upon request)

Where: Playhouse Northwest Acting School, 3270 California Ave. SW, Seattle WA 98136 (in the Lee’s Martial Arts building)

Contact: 206-938-3375

Instructor: Lisa Skvarla

Price: *Early Bird Special* for both weeks

May 1st-June 2nd. $550

June 2nd -July 31st  $575

Taken separately   $300

Financial aid is available.

On-Camera Acting Camp For Kids 102 (Movie Camp)
By the end of the week, all of our students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned by going into the second week (102) and participate in their very own short film production. This student production will be cast, written, rehearsed, taped and edited. Professional writers, directors and make-up artists will be involved, as well as the film and television students from Central Washington University’s film school. The kids production will be screened at a local theater or venue at a later date for their friends and family to enjoy.

*Camps may be attended separately but best done together.*

When: Aug. 22-26, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m.; after care available upon request)

Where: Playhouse Northwest Acting School, 3270 California Ave. SW, Seattle WA 98136 (in the Lee’s Martial Arts building)

Contact: 206-938-3375

Instructor: Lisa Skvarla

Price: *Early Bird Special* for both weeks

May 1st-June 2nd. $550

June 2nd -July 31st  $575

Taken separately   $300

Financial aid is available.

Read More About the Instructor: Lisa Skvarla here.

 

 

 

BAM!!! Playhouse NW Exciting May 2016 Line up!


Playhouse Northwest Acting School offers on-going training for those actors who aspire to work professionally. Our Acting “Tool box” Lab which consists of different approaches is every Monday Night from 7:45-10:15 PM. Monthly fee’s ($120 ) and drop- ins rates ($40 ) are available. ALL levels are welcome.

In addition to on-going training we are offering these fantastic camps,workshops, and intensives during the month of May/June 2016. Enjoy!

Playhouse Northwest Acting School Presents…..

“Your Voice Over Workshop Journey”

Speaker and Voice Over Coach ,Curt Hawkins invites you to a TWO DAY ,hands on ,Voice Over Workshop! If you have been looking for the inside scoop into the hidden world of Voice over ,This is YOUR event!

Dates: May 14th and 15th

Time : 9:00 am- 4:00 pm ( Sat)
9:00 am-3:00 pm (Sun)

Price: $179 for both Days!

For more information or to register please go to www.theVOcoach.com

Thank you!

Master Acting Teacher Anthony Montes – 2-Day Acting Intensive!

Los Angeles based Anthony Montes is an Actor/Writer and Master Acting teacher! After 9 years he left his teaching position at the NY Film Academy to star in two feature films he had written and performed on stage. In 2013 he was personally asked by James Franco to teach at his new “Studio 4” school in LA. In addition he teaches internationally in Paris ,Dubai and Stockholm. He studied with many of the greats including Sanford Meisner himself.
This 2 day Acting intensive is for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Meisner technique. He will focus on Improvisational work,emotional preparation, as well as breaking down scenes properly. Participants will learn useful tools to help them become more truthful on stage as well as in front of the camera. All levels are welcome. Not to be missed!
Dates: May 21st & 22nd. 10:00 a.m–6:00 p.m.
Fee: $325 ( $75 non refundable deposit to hold your space. Creative financing available on request. )
To register call the PHNW office at 206-938-3375. space is limited.

On-Camera Scene Study Workshop
May 19th, and May 25th

The truth is, acting for the camera is different for each actor. Some take to it easily, while others take more time to settle comfortably into it. It is the job of an acting coach to recognize an actor’s strengths and weaknesses, where the actor is in their development process, and work with the actor to heighten their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. No one size fits all. In these workshops will be treated as an individual, with the whole idea being you will be a better on-camera actor when you leave the workshop than you were before.

These workshops are open to all actors, 17 or older, with experience in film, or TV, or theater work (no beginners, Please). To enroll, please contact [email protected] and specify the age range you play, as well as which workshop (see below) you would like. Enrollment is limited to 12 actors in each workshop on a first come, first serve basis.

In The Workshop You Will:
* Be assigned (prior to the workshop) a scene with a scene partner
* Perform that scene in front of the entire workshop, be critiqued, and do it again
* engage in inprov scenes and learn how that can improve your acting
* Discuss handouts about audition do’s and dont’s, being in the moment, and acting in Hollywood
* Be made aware of how you can improve as an on-camera actor
* Learn by observing other actors performing and reworking their scenes
* Have your work video recorded for you to take with you when you leave

Two, Separate Stand Alone Workshops
Acting Coach: Ken Kreps
1st Workshop Date and Time: May 19th, 7:15 to 10:15 PM
2nd Workshop Date and Time: May 25th 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Playhouse Northwest Acting School (upstairs), 3720 California Ave SW, Seattle
Cost: $45 cash or check, payable at the workshop

About Ken Kreps (Acting Coach, Actor)
Ken has lived, and worked as an actor in both LA and Seattle. He appeared in “The Office” on NBC, and has also acted, or is currently acting, in national and local television commercials, a TV pilot, and numerous independent films, playing roles from the lead to supporting characters. Additionally, he’s worked in a variety of corporate/Industrial films, two docudramas on network TV (NTV) in Japan, and has done a number of voice-over projects. Ken, has successfully conducted more than thirty five on-camera acting workshops throughout the Seattle area, and has also studied long term with Glenn Haines, a premier acting coach in Hollywood. Additionally, he served as the casting director for the film “The Right Way.

On – Camera Acting Camp For Kids 101

INTRODUCTORY ACTING
This camp (101) will encourage your children to use their imagination and to develop the techniques and confidence they need to create believable performances for the camera.
This camp teaches the fundamentals of acting by using basic techniques and fun acting games. Children participate in class and work on improving their basic skills for auditions, improvisation, martial arts/fight choreography, Meisner technique and scene study. This rolls into week two…..

On Camera Acting Camp For Kids 102 (Movie Camp! )

By the end of the week, all of our students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned by going into the 2nd week (102) and participating in their very own short film production! This student production will be cast, written, rehearsed, taped, and edited. Professional writers, directors, and make-up artists will be involved, as well as the film and television students from Central Washington University’s film school. The kids production will then be screened at a local theater or venue at a later date for their friends and family to enjoy. Sure to be a great time!! Ages 7+

When: Aug 15th – August 19th . Camp 101
Aug 22nd -August 26 Camp 102
*Camps may be attended separately but best done together.*
Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:45 a.m.)
Where: Playhouse Northwest Acting School 3270 California Ave. S.W. (In the Lee’s Martial Arts Building) #206-938-3375
Instructor: Lisa Skvarla.
Price: *Early Bird Special* for both weeks!
April -May 31st $550 (One Week) $275
June- July 31st $575
August on $600
To register for any of these camps or if you have any additional questions please feel free to call the LMA/PHNW Office at 206-938-3375. After care is available upon request as well as financial scholarships.

Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts Camp!

This camp has been a favorite for over a decade!
The camp includes:
Tae Kwon Do, Board breaking, Acting games,, Bowling party, Ice cream social , Kickboxing, Kids self defense, Fire safety, Dodge ball, Korean Speaking ,
And much,much more!!
For ages 4.5 to 12 years old.
When: July 18th-22nd.
Time: 9:00AM -3:30PM (Doors open at 8:45am)
Where: Lee’s Martial Arts (3270 California Ave SW Seattle Wa. 98136) #206-938-375
Instructor: Lisa Skvarla
Price: *Early Bird Special *Discounts Are Available!!
April 1st – May 31st – $250
June 1st – June 31st -$275
July 1st- $300
* After care available on request.

** Lisa Skvarla is the founder of Playhouse Northwest Acting School. She is a SAG/AFTRA actor and a certified stunt person. She has appeared on numerous national television shows including “Northern Exposure,†“Bill Nye the Science Guy,†“Case Closed†and the Discovery Channel’s “The Worst Thing That Ever Happened to Me.” She also has appeared in numerous commercials, industrials, web series and theater productions. Currently she is the executive producer for a 3 season web series “Divine Shadows” that started filming in April 2015. In addition, Lisa is a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and the proud owner of Lee’s Martial Arts in West Seattle. For 3 years she served as the chairwoman for the American Women’s Self-Defense Association and has taught self-defense and rape prevention to women and girls across the country.

Unarmed Fighting for the Screen with Kendall Wells

June 4th 1 PM – 5:30 PM (30 min break)
$70

You’ll be taken through various exercises to get comfortable with the fundamentals of stunt combat: safety, skeletal alignment, distance, timing, camera awareness and how to play to various angles, selling the fight, and choreography logic.

Blades: De Longis Method with Kendall Wells

June 5th 10 AM – 4:30 PM (30 min break)
$100

We’ll go through the system created by Anthony De Longis, starting with lightweight western swords, then move on to heavier broadswords and the Japanese katana. Anthony’s universal method will expand your understanding of theatrical sword fighting and sharpen your skills immensely.

Both classes: $150

RSVP – Lisa Skvarla [email protected]

About the teacher:

Kendall Wells is an actor and action performer who has studied under Anthony De Longis for 11 years and counting, and is one of very few people certified to teach the De Longis Method. Kendall’s been trusted to perform action with such actors as Elijah Wood, Manu Bennett, Rebecca Romijn, and more. He brings his full passion for teaching to every class he instructs, and cares deeply for the progress of all his students

To register for any of these classes please call the Playhouse NW Acting School @ 206-938-3375.

Thank you!

Team Playhouse NW
(Lisa & Josh)
www.playhousenw.com
206-938-3375

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2 Day Acting Intensive with Anthony Montes!


 

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Only 8 days left to take advantage of the Early bird Special for this event!!!

Los Angeles based Anthony Montes is an Actor/Writer and Master Acting teacher! After 9 years he left his teaching position at the NY Film Academy to star in two feature films he had written and performed on stage. In 2013 he was personally asked by James Franco to teach at his new “Studio 4” school in LA. In addition he teaches internationally in Paris ,Dubai and Stockholm. He studied with many of the greats including Sanford Meisner himself.

This 2 day Acting intensive is for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Meisner technique. He will focus on Improvisational work,emotional preparation, as well as breaking down scenes properly. Participants will learn useful tools to help them become more truthful on stage as well as in front of the camera. All levels are welcome. Not to be missed!

Dates: May 21st & 22nd. 10:00 a.m–6:00 p.m.
Fee: $325 ( $75 non refundable deposit to hold your space. Creative financing available on request. ) $300 for Playhouse NW students.

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Contact Us:

Playhouse Northwest Acting School – (206) 919-7407
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SW
Seattle WA 98106

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