Writing & Acting   

Designed for anyone who wants to “take the stage” – in acting or public speaking! The art of acting is not just about being the next famous actor, but it explores life skills that everyone can utilize in any profession. Explore the elements of acting while freeing your creativity, increasing your confidence, and learning how to work effectively in a group. The tools and techniques of the actor’s craft are introduced through a wide variety of exercises, games, improvisations, short-scripted material, monologues, and scenes. Use these tools and techniques to forward your career and improve your listening and communication skills. No experience necessary.

This class will help bring back the lost art of letter writing. Letter writing, snail mail campaigns, sending cards, postcards, and even writing as a famous author are all back in style. With a big boom on social media, letter writing has come back into the spotlight as a way to connect with family and friends, to make new friends, and even to create a family history. In this class, we will begin your letter-writing journey from the first “Hello” to the closing line. A great way to start the new year and recount your holiday stories, share your plans for the new year, or craft the perfect missive to your Valentine's Day sweetheart.

This hands-on workshop introduces the essentials of screenwriting in a friendly, supportive environment for students who are beginning their screenwriting journey or looking to build upon the fundamentals. Over five weeks, you’ll develop your own original work from pitching your idea and crafting a synopsis to writing engaging scenes. Weekly writing exercises will strengthen your grasp of story structure, compelling character development, authentic dialogue, and writing action and imagery. In class, we’ll share work, exchange constructive feedback, and watch and analyze film clips that highlight key elements of powerful visual storytelling. Whether crafting a feature-length screenplay, TV pilot, or a two-minute short, you’ll explore the core mechanics of strong screenwriting, learn proper script formatting, and begin building your own screenwriting portfolio. This course is ideal for those who are seeking structure, accountability, and community in their screenwriting practice.

Do you have bits and pieces of stories or ideas written on napkins, sticky notes, index cards, and journals--or even a book in the works? This class will help you put all of your ideas together and shape them into a well-written piece. In a writing workshop style, we will gather each week, share stories, and find ways to improve and move them along. So bring in your work(s) and let's start to shape and bring to life the story you have been envisioning.

Everyone has a story worth telling—and the power to tell it well. In this dynamic, in-person, four-part workshop, you’ll learn to bring your personal stories to life with clarity and confidence and to find your authentic voice.

In a warm, encouraging environment, participants will practice simple relaxation and grounding techniques to ease anxiety and share personal stories. Using storytelling prompts, you'll get help bringing forth the best of your own tale. You'll receive a creative critique from "the Hudson Valley's master storyteller." Further, there will be supportive peer feedback to strengthen your delivery skills and help you become more comfortable speaking in front of others.

By the end of the course, you’ll know how to shape a compelling personal tale, overcome common fears, stay focused, and adapt with ease. Most importantly, you’ll leave truly connected to your voice—and ready to share your stories with joy.