UPCOMING CLASS SCHEDULE

DIFFICULT WOMEN Scene Study

Tuesdays, Sept 23, 30, Oct 7, and 21 (No class on Oct 14)
7-10 PM
520 8th Ave
Early Bird $125 (By Sept 2)
Regular Rate $150
Auditors $50

Contact

Email: Jaclyn.Biskup@gmail.com
Use the form below or email me directly to sign up for the class

With Guest Teacher Zishan Ugurlu

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials

Maria J. Payares

I had so much fun and learned from everyone. I really appreciated the environment and energy you provided for us to act and live in. It made the experience so much better and made me feel very comfortable. I look forward to taking your class again sometime in the future.

Vianca Perez

THANK YOU for the classs, the atmosphere, and the space you created/led for the 4 classses. I really enjoyed your approach to each sscne and the conversations that sparked from the text, directing, and acting. I feel that even besides learning a lot about acting, I also learned about directing from your comments - which is so exciting. I also appreciate you giving me Fefu, challenging us, and really making us go deeeep deeeeep deeeep ino the non-traditional American play world/absurd/poetry/out there.

Rachel Klein

"I really loved this class (you make everyone so comfortable, you're amazing) and I would love to come back next session"

Tracey Beltrano

I loved our class and wanted to thank you for the safe environment. I saw you fight and advocate for it on several occasions, with a gentle hand, and I so appreciate that. I will definitely be recommending this class to friends and colleagues.

Analise Rios

I enjoyed learning from Jaclyn and the rest of the folks in class. Hearing all of your different perspectives and seeing a bit into everyone’s process was informative and makes me want to craft a better formula for myself. Thank you for getting me out of my comfort zone and helping me live in it!

Julia Nightingale

I have learned so much, read so many new plays, and felt such a sense of community I don’t think I would have otherwise.

Carla Seet

It was so refreshing to get to practice my craft in a room full of women and not have to worry about managing men’s egos/insecurities/etc. I learned a lot about my process and have some new things I know I want to work on. I’ll definitely be back for another session in the future!

Krista White

I’ve taken two sessions of the class so far, and in each have had the opportunity to play characters that went beyond my usual “type”– a newly out lesbian on a date with her future wife and a self-centered alcoholic gossiping and talking trash with her equally problematic coke addict sister. Both were immensely fun. Much of the strength of the class is the actors it attracts. Working with my talented scene partners has been as eye-opening and joyful as watching other the other pairs work.

Alexandra Spieth

I've really learned so much and was incredibly glad I took the class.

Erin Krebs

I’m so incredibly grateful for the space and mindset Jaclyn created through your class. The plays were dope, and your focus on agency and specificity was something I really needed to hear.

Nadia Diamond

I always enjoy the supportive, playful, and of course, feminist atmosphere in her classes, and look forward to the next session

Andrea Prestinario

I had the opportunity to take Jaclyn's DIFFICULT WOMEN Scene Study class, and it completely elevated me out of a sleepy winter into an energized spring! Jaclyn creates a safe space and a brave space by building a class for women+ and selecting material with characters that are three-dimensional and devoid of feminine tropes. I felt safe to take risks in this environment, whereas - in a more patriarchal environment - I might feel more fearful. Jaclyn is patient and wicked smart, and no matter your skill-level, she meets the actor where they are. She was both chill and challenging. I walked away with great respect for her, and made a mental note to call her for future private coachings! I choose to surround myself with other feminists - and Jaclyn speaks my language, both as a feminist and theatre artist. She is simply the best.

About Zishan Ugurlu:

Zishan Ugurlu is a resident actress and director at La MaMa Theater and a member of the Great Jones Repertory Company. She has worked extensively as a theater artist in New York and abroad. She has recently directed Medea with Great Jones Repertory Company, drawing attention to a very specific dimension that explored Medea as an immigrant, exiled, investigating parallels between the myth and the current refugee crisis by collaging real stories, ancient tongues, and hackable audiovisual systems. Her directing credits include Fragments, Lists, and Lacunae, written by Alexandra Chasin, featuring philosopher Judith Butler as a performer at New York Live Arts. The Franca Rame Project by Franca Rame & Dario Fo, Agamemnon by Aeschylus, and She Talks to Beethoven by Adrienne Kennedy. She recently received the 2020 Gramsci Award for Theater in Prison. She teaches at Lang College, The New School University, as a Professor of Theater.

ABOUT THE CLASS

This is a scene study class for women+* designed to allow you to sink your teeth into exciting, complex characters written for women+ by women+ in an empowered, inclusive, and affordable environment!

Tired of being pigeonholed into an overly simplistic type?
Feeling frustrated that directors hamper your agency in the rehearsal process?
Bored of playing supporting roles, stereotypes, and cliches?

In this class, you will --

-- Stretch your acting muscle with exciting, complex material
-- Hone your craft in a feminist and empowered environment
-- Work with, meet, and connect with like-minded artists with similar values and goals
-- Work on scenes and monologues written for women+ by women+
-- Be introduced to new plays, scenes, and monologues all written by women+ writers
-- Benefit from the collective wisdom and shared experiences of your classmates.

*This class is for all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experience of women

The growing list of writers featured in this course includes Johanna Adams, Tanya Barfield, Clare Barron, Alice Birch, Sheila Callaghan, Caryl Churchill, Kara Lee Corthron, Cayenne Douglass, Halley Feiffer, Selina Fillinger, María Irene Fornés, Kate Gersten, Madeline George, Rebecca Gilman, Gina Gionfriddo, Lauren Gunderson, Leslye Headland, Naomi Iizuka, Sarah Kane, Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters, Ellen McLaughlin, Erin Mallon, Mona Mansour, Anna Moench, Dominique Morisseau, Janine Nabers, Dianne Nora, Lynn Nottage, Suzan Lori Parks, Theresa Rebeck, Sarah Ruhl, Jen Silverman, Nandita Shenoy, Diana Son, Caridad Svich, Kate Tarker, Sarah Treem, Paula Vogel, Catherine Weingarten, and others.

This class is open to all levels.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with questions at jaclyn.biskup@gmail.com, and to sign up!

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MONOLOGUE WORKSHOP

Sharpen your piece for an upcoming audition

In this 3-hour workshop we will be working on our feet.
Craft your pieces using a director's eye so you can create a
specific, engaging, and dynamic performance which showcases your best self.

Enrollment is very limited so everyone will receive individual
coaching on his/her monologue. (Limit 12)

This is an all gender class