Classes for Actors & Performers in Boston
Boston: February 8 & 9
Physical Acting Weekend Workshop
Black Box Theater at Boston Center for the Arts
Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider
Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Boston: March 22 & 23
Scene Study Weekend Workshop
Calderwood Pavilion at Boston Center for the Arts
Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider
Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Individual Coaching
Sessions are available in Boston, Providence, and NYC
Virtual sessions available on Zoom
Sessions are designed to support individual growth for actors, performers, and other professionals for audition preparation, public speaking, and performance skills.
For rates and availability, email: info@studioplayground.org
More Info: Acting Coaching
Physical Acting Weekend Workshop
Dates: February 8 & 9
Time: Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Class Fee: $95 per person
Location: Boston Center for the Arts
Address: 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 (Black Box Theater)
This class is instructed by Matthew Bretschneider.
Scene Study Weekend Workshop
Dates: March 22 & 23
Time: Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Class Fee: $95 per person
Location: Boston Center for the Arts
Address: 527 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 (Calderwood Pavilion)
This class is instructed by Matthew Bretschneider.
Physical Acting Weekend Workshop
Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider
Upcoming: Feb 8 & 9, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Welcome to our Physical Acting Weekend Workshop! This workshop is intended for actors and performers at all stages of training. Over 2 days, students participate in games and performance projects designed to elicit vocal and physical freedom. The weekend workshop includes elements of Viewpoints, Commedia dell’arte, Clown, and techniques to promote relaxation and self-discovery. Clown is a form of physical acting that invites you to come as you are, shake off your social mask, and explore the health benefits of laughter through movement, performance, and playful improvisation.
Each class begins with a vocal and movement warm-up and includes class discussion with applications for audition techniques, devising original theater, and ensemble development. Throughout the weekend, students participate in exercises to support solo performance as well as working creatively in small groups. There will be a 30-minute break each day for lunch and short breaks as needed.
Studio Playground classes are for everyone: actors, movers, anyone with a desire to connect through laughter and playful improvisation.
Scene Study Weekend Workshop
Instructed by Matthew Bretschneider
Upcoming: March 22 & 23, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Get ready to dive into scenes and monologues with playful and wild abandon! Let’s get out of our heads and into the world of our characters. This class integrates fundamental concepts for script analysis with movement games and physical theater. Over two days, participants explore techniques designed to promote range and flexibility as they apply physical acting exercises to material from contemporary theater, film, and television.
Each class begins with a vocal and movement warm-up and includes class discussion with applications for audition techniques, character development, and approaching given circumstances in scenes and monologues. The workshop includes individual work, working with a scene partner, and ensemble exercises. There will be a 30-minute break each day for lunch and short breaks as needed.
Individual Coaching Sessions
Available in Boston, Providence, & NYC
Virtual Sessions are available on Zoom.
The benefits of movement and physical acting include range, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect to an audience. Our teachers are industry professionals with extensive experience in theater, film, and television. Sessions are designed to support the individual growth of actors and performers for audition preparation and performance skills. Studio Playground classes and individual coaching sessions are intended for actors, performers, and other professionals to enhance their ability to connect to a group and engage in public speaking, In-person sessions are available in Boston, Providence, and New York City. Virtual sessions are available on Zoom. More Info: Acting Coaching.
Creating Characters
Instructed by Anna Basile
Create an original character who can walk out of this workshop and into the world! Through rigorous physical practice and playful improvisation, students will draw inspiration from the natural world, incorporate those observations into the moving body, and build a complex and compelling character for the stage. Add another skill to your actor’s toolbox, or come simply to play and find new creative possibilities!
Theatrical Movement
Instructed by Alexander Crespo-Rosario
Transform pedestrian movement into dance through observation, playful improvisation, and physical exercises. Not an experienced dancer? No worries! This class focuses on guiding each participant to create movement phrases which enhance expression and narrative storytelling. Students will explore elements of choreography, clown, and ensemble dance.
Boston Center for the Arts
Studio Playground teaches classes for actors and performers based in movement and physical acting. The benefits of movement and physical acting include range, flexibility, emotional intelligence, the ability to connect to an audience, and much more. Our classes at Boston Center for the Arts explore the benefits of laughter through movement, clown, and playful improvisation.
Studio Playground classes are for everyone: actors, performers, anyone with a desire to connect through laughter and playful improvisation. Whether this is your first acting class, or you are an experienced professional, come play! Reach out with questions to info@studioplayground.org. The benefits of movement and physical acting include range, flexibility, emotional intelligence, the ability to connect to an audience. Our classes and one-on-one coaching sessions invite actors and performers to explore the benefits of laughter and develop performance skills through movement, clown, and playful improvisation.
Matthew Bretschneider, MSW (he/him) is the Founding Artistic Director of Studio Playground and an Adjunct Professor for Boston University. He has performed with the Huntington Theatre Company, The Flea Theater, Theatre Row, The New Ohio, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Kitchen Theatre Company, and Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. Television Credits include Law & Order: SVU and The Path. Matthew received his MSW from Rhode Island College School of Social Work and has extensive experience teaching theater in clinical spaces, focusing on self-care, empowerment, and ensemble development. Matthew received a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with additional training from The Pandemonium Studio, Movement Theater Studio, and The Clown School. He has trained extensively with Christopher Bayes and has studied physical acting with Norman Taylor, Mary Overlie, Orlando Pabotoy, David Bridel, Gabriel Levey and many more. Matthew has taught physical theater for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Trinity Repertory Company, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, and Suffolk University.
Education: MSW, Rhode Island College School of Social Work; BFA, Tisch School for the Arts, New York University
“Matthew Bretschneider was clearly cast for his physical acting and his ability to slip easily for one distinct character into another”.
-Theater Mirror, 2022, Common Ground Revisited at the Huntington Theatre Company
“Matthew gently encouraged us to expand into the full range of emotions. There is a surprising feeling of comfort in exploring those edges and allowing them to breathe.”
-Student Testimonial
“Thank you for creating a space where fun, fear, and freedom of expression could be genuinely explored.”
-Student Testimonial
Matthew's class is a safe space! I loved how everyone in the class supported each other. If you are curious about clowning, take Matthew's class!
-Student Testimonial
Mathew was a super articulate and insightful instructor. The exercises in class encouraged a relinquishing of control and we were all guided along in a non-judgemental supportive way.
-Student Testimonial
Anna Basile (she/her) is a Rhode Island born actor, teacher, and director and has worked as a performing arts faculty member for the Lincoln School in Providence, Beacon Charter School for the Arts, and Rocky Hill Country Day School. She has extensive experience directing youth productions for organizations including Trinity Repertory Company, the Lincoln School, and the Actor’s Gymnasium in Chicago. Acting credits include The Wilbury Theatre Group, Burbage Theatre Company, Teatro en el Verano with Trinity Repertory Company, Filament Theatre, and Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. Anna has also directed and produced original works for the Providence Fringe Festival and other venues. Anna received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and completed her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Devised Performance in Physical Theatre from Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training with the University of the Arts. Anna has trained with clowns and circus performers such as Shannan Calcutt, Giovanni Fusetti, Mycah Hogan, Sylvia Hernandez Di-Stasi, and David Catlin.
Education: MFA, University of the Arts, Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training; BA, Northwestern University
Alexander Crespo-Rosario (he/him) is a Native Taino, born in Puerto Rico. He is a graduate of Rhode Island College, with a background in modern dance, physical acting, and musical theatre. Crespo started his career as a B-boy representing the All City Rockers crew. He then studied and worked with Alexandra Beller, Billy Siegenfeld, Rennie Harris, and Marta Renzi, among others. He most recently worked in Burbage Theatre Company’s productions of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord as Pablo, JUNK as Raul Rivera, and Rhode Island Latino Arts/Trinity Reps production of La Mancha as Filiberto, Andres, and ensemble. Crespo is one of the first recipients of the Miranda Scholarship, an award given by Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Miranda Family for artists of color who have shown, “exceptional passion, drive, and unique points of view in various artistic mediums.” As an active artist, his work focuses on connection and emotional range through theatre and dance. Crespo is an Artistic Associate for Studio Playground and member of Metamorphosis Dance Company.
Education: BA, Rhode Island College, Musical Theatre & Dance
Safety Policy - Classes for Adults
Please note this policy is subject to change.
Here is our protocol for adult classes as of 10/28/24:
All participants must be 18 years or older to attend.
Wearing masks is optional.
Class size is limited to 20 students.
Any student experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or the flu, including fever, cough, and congestion, is advised to contact us and please not attend class.