Classes

Explore, create and collaborate!

Whether you have experience on the stage, are dabbling in theater for the first time or want to improve your communication skills, we have classes for adults of all interests and skill levels (ages 18 and up).

Check out our Exploratory Classes - introductory classes made to engage your creativity and our newly designed Performance Pathway – a multi-level actor training option created to develop your acting chops and hone your voice, movement, text analysis and musical theater skills.

Download an overview of current classes

Exploratory Classes

Slay! with Brian Bose
Feel sexy, fierce and powerful while learning fun choreography, grooving to music and dancing your way to empowerment. This class creates an open environment to explore your body, challenge yourself and reconnect with your inner child. Strip away fears and perfectionism, and learn to get out of your own way so you have no choice but to slay. No prerequisite or dance experience necessary. Capacity: 30.

Mondays, April 15 – April 22 , May 6 – July 1 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (no class Memorial Day, May 27)

Class Fee: Single drop-in class: $20, 4-class package: $75, 8-class package: $150, all classes: $220

Instructor: Brian Bose

Voiceover I
Have you ever been curious about the world of radio and broadcast? Discover your vocal range and explore the skills required to deliver the copy, impress the client and sell the product. Learn the basics of choosing the right piece, reading commercial copy and much more. No prerequisite, Ages 18+, Capacity: 12 students.

Option 1:

Mondays, June 3–24 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Price: $220 ($198 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Jim Cada

Option 2:

Mondays, July 15 – August 3 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Price: $220 ($198 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Jim Cada

VOICEOVER II: THE INDUSTRY
Serious about pursuing voiceover work? Learn about audition etiquette, copy analysis, handling anxiety and self-promotion from leading players in the industry. This class culminates with the opportunity to rehearse and record in the Guthrie's recording studio. Previous guest speakers have included Mike Stalcar, Engineer, Audio Ruckus Recording Studio; Holly Collison, Vocal Coach; and Kate Lawrence, Moore Creative. Prerequisite: Voiceover I (or equivalent experience). Capacity: 12. This class is a prerequisite for Voiceover III.

Details coming soon.

VOICEOVER III: THE DEMO

Details coming soon!

PLAYWRITING I
Have you ever imagined characters and been inspired to bring them to life on the page? What does it take to write an engaging scene and captivate an audience? Dive into valuable writing exercises, collaborate on staged readings of your work and receive constructive feedback. Discover the key ingredients of great drama or comedy and work toward creating your own short play. No prerequisite, Ages 18+, Capacity: 14 students.

Tuesdays, July 9 – August 13 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $200 ($176 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Josh Tobiessen

STAGE COMBAT
Learn the tools and techniques to craft safe and believable acts of violence onstage. From refining your uppercut to falling safely, this class focuses on the intricate choreography of stage combat and how to ensure crucial moments in a play are executed realistically and safely. Over the course of six weeks you will learn basic techniques as well as what goes in to creating a moment of violence onstage and how it differs from film. Enjoy knock-down-drag-out fun all while keeping yourself and your partner safe. All experience levels welcome. No prerequisite, Ages 18+, Capacity: 12 students.

Mondays, August 12 – September 23 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. (no class on Labor Day, September 2)
Class Fee: $220 ($176 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Aaron Preusse

Performance Pathway

SPEAKING SHAKESPEARE: SONNETS
Explore the structure of the sonnet form to increase your understanding of Shakespeare's use of verse. We will look at the text for sense, rhythm and meter, imagery, and the use of rhetorical and poetic devices. Embody the text through physical and vocal explorations. There will be time to dive into a favorite sonnet, as well as work with the group.

Date: Sunday, April 28 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50 ($45 if you register before May 1) | Get $25 off if you also register for Speaking Shakespeare: Monologues
Instructor: Mira Kehoe

SPEAKING SHAKESPEARE: MONOLOGUES
Are you interested in gaining more experience in selecting and preparing classical audition pieces? Explore scansion, musicality and figures of speech in Shakespeare's monologues while freeing your voice through playful explorations. Take away practical tools for successfully mining the text for clear, powerful speaking and emotional truth.

Date: Tuesday, May 7 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $50 ($45 if you register before May 1) | Get $25 off if you also register for Speaking Shakespeare: Sonnets
Instructor: Mira Kehoe

PHYSICAL COMEDY AND CLOWNING
Get serious about being funny. In this two-day physical comedy course, participants will explore the elements of theatrical clowning, including slapstick, comedic conflict and timing. Designed to heighten a performers natural sense of play, "find the game," and create comedic business, this class focuses on turning off your inner critic’s brain in order to connect more deeply and honestly with the audience. No prerequisite, Ages 18+, Capacity: 18 students.

Dates: June 17–18 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $100 ($90 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Allison Witham

THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
Developed over 120 years ago, the Alexander Technique has been used as powerful tool for actors to integrate voice, speech and movement. At its heart is the conviction that we are perfectly designed to express an impulse with honesty. A psychophysical tool for body, breath and imagination, it teaches actors how to release habitual tension and instead bring freedom, poise and presence to performance. The focus of the class will be on the principles of the technique and learning the art of self-direction, using warm-up, monologues and partnering work. This class is experiential, designed to teach actors how to be comfortable in their own skin and create onstage intensity without the tension.

Dates: August 11–12 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $100 ($90 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Eli Sibley

No prerequisites are required and classes may be taken in any order. Many introductory classes are required to take intermediate and advanced classes. To ask questions or discuss relevant experience, contact the Education Team at 612.225.6172.

THEATER BASICS
Through a variety of theater exercises, you’ll explore the fundamentals of acting and create a foundation for continued training, including improvisation, building a theater vocabulary, performing in front of an audience and approaching text. No prerequisite. Capacity: 14. This class is a prerequisite for several intermediate classes.

Option 1:

Dates: Wednesdays, April 24 – May 15 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Brian Bose

Option 2:

Dates: Sundays, May 5-26 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Laura Esping

Option 3:

Dates: Mondays, May 13–June 10 | 6:30–9 p.m. (no class Memorial Day, May 27)
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Michelle Hutchison

Option 4:

Dates: Tuesdays, August 6–27 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Suzanne Warmanen

VOICE & SPEECH I
This course is designed to build a foundation for vocal practice, introducing students to the basic principles of voice and speech (breath, resonance, range, articulation, projection, phrasing and expression and the release of excessive tension). There will be assigned readings, experiential exercises, class discussions and practical application of skills. No prerequisites, Ages 18+, Capacity: 12 students. This class is a prerequisite for Voice & Speech II.

Option 1:

Sundays, May 5–26 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May)
Instructor: Mira Kehoe

Option 2:

Tuesdays, July 9–30 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May)
Instructor: Mira Kehoe

MUSICAL THEATER SINGING I
This class will help beginner-level singers develop a solid foundation in vocal technique. Students will sing both up-tempo songs and ballads, all suitable for auditioning, while discovering techniques for breath support, song interpretation and performance. No prerequisite, Ages 18+, Capacity: 10 students.

Option 1:

Mondays, June 3–24 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $150 ($135 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Betsy Benjamin

Option 2:

Mondays, August 5–26 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $150 ($135 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Betsy Benjamin

PHYSICAL APPROACHES I
The body is an actor’s instrument. Gesture and physicality are used to tell a story in union with the actor’s voice. In this introductory class, students will explore a variety of physical approaches to performance, gaining insight into how to approach acting on the stage from a movement-based perspective. No prerequisites, Ages 18+, Capacity: 14 students. This class is a prerequisite for Physical Approaches II.

Sundays, June 2–23 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $180 ($162 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Brian Bose

AUDITIONING AND THE BUSINESS OF ACTING
What makes a great monologue? What do casting directors look for? Focus on the skills and insight necessary to pursue a career in acting. This course will provide actors with tools to prepare for an audition, including building a resume and selecting a headshot, navigating talent agencies and finding work. Prerequisites include the following Intro to Acting classes (or their equivalent): Theater Basics, Voice and Speech I and Physical Approaches I. If you have placement questions, please contact an Education Team member. Ages 18+, Capacity: 12 students.

Tuesdays, May 14 – June 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Class Fee: $150 ($135 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Shirley Venard

CREATING A CHARACTER
Strengthen your imagination, focus your concentration and hone your listening skills by delving into the creation of original and scripted characters. This class will explore a variety of approaches for character development and empower the actor to find their unique approach to character work. Prerequisites include the following Intro to Acting classes (or their equivalent): Theater Basics, Voice and Speech I and Physical Approaches I. If you have placement questions, please contact an Education Team member. Ages 18+, Capacity: 12 students.

Option 1:

Mondays, June 24 – July 29 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $255 ($229.50 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Michelle Hutchison

Option 2:

Sundays, June 30 – August 4 | 6:30–9 p.m.
Class Fee: $255 ($229.50 if you register before May 1)
Instructor: Laura Esping

FAQs

Whether you are pursuing a career in theater, looking to explore your creativity, or want to try something new, we welcome rookies, professionals and everyone in between! Our teaching artists and guest artists are industry professionals who are passionate about sharing their craft and fostering the artistic growth in others.

All classes take place at the Guthrie, allowing students to engage with our world-class facility.

Our multi-week adult classes have something for all levels of experience! Our Exploratory Classes are open to all levels and are designed to engage your creativity while learning something new.

The Performance Pathway classes provide individuals who are looking for actor training opportunities a variety of classes in three distinct levels designed to provide a holistic approach to performing on the stage. The core classes in the introductory level include a focus on voice, physical approaches, theater basics and a musical theater track. From there students can move on to continue building those skills in the intermediate and advanced level classes.

Nope! Most exploratory classes and all of the introductory classes do not require prior experience. Some students join us as rookies and others want to brush up their skills. These entry-level classes allow you explore multiple tracks to find what you like best and the opportunity to push your craft further through multiple levels.

For Adults:

Multi-week classes in performance, professional development, playwriting, and more
Master classes for professional artists
One-day classes through Hennepin County Libraries
Professional development courses to improve collaboration, presentation and communication skills

For Youth:

Summer Camps and Intensives for youth in grades 3-12 to work alongside professional theater artists to explore their skills as young artists

For Businesses:

Professional development courses for teams and individuals to utilize theater-based training to solve modern workplace challenges

Explore more

*Cyrano de Bergerac*

March 16 – May 5
A swashbuckling romance

Learn more about *Cyrano de Bergerac*

*Metamorphoses*

April 13 – May 19
A visually stunning masterpiece

Learn more about *Metamorphoses*

*Guys and Dolls*

June 22 – Aug 25
The perfect musical comedy

Learn more about *Guys and Dolls*