The first year is centered on building a strong foundation. The acting curriculum is designed to engage the actor in a deeper use of self, physically, mentally and emotionally, and to integrate use of self with basic acting tools, and to apply these new skills and perceptions to text. Speech work is aimed toward heightened awareness of sounds and their use in the English language. Phonetics and its application to acting is introduced. Movement training focuses on alignment, relaxation, flexibility.
Emphasis is placed on developing the physical imagination and creative use of space.
Stage combat is a dynamic component of the movement training. First-year actors are not cast in productions until the second semester, when they participate in a first year project. Acting in the second year contains significant work in the classics, with emphasis on use of complex texts, the physicalization of a role and the search for form. Mask work, clown and an immersion in the Renaissance world are elements of the movement curriculum. Stage combat training continues, culminating in the opportunity to certify with the Society of American Fight Directors.