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Adult
Wed, May 7, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025
6:30pm - 9:30pm CDT
Cheryl G.
Class Experience
This unit deepens your acting skills through the lens of Meisner technique, with a focus on emotional truthfulness, connection, and presence.
At its core, Meisner training cultivates emotional truthfulness—the ability to genuinely respond rather than indicate emotions. By teaching actors to "live truthfully under imaginary circumstances," Meisner's approach ensures performers remain present and authentic.
Exercises will sharpen your ability to listen and react in real time, cultivating subtle and specific emotional expression. By shifting focus outward—toward your scene partner and the given moment—you'll reduce self-consciousness, improve concentration, and develop truthful behavior. The result: performances that are grounded, spontaneous, and captivating.
Actors learn to maintain authentic behavior under pressure, bringing specificity and intention to each moment while fully embodying their characters—ensuring consistent, truthful performances.
Notes
Class length is determined by student enrollment, but may go up to 3 hours.
Other Things To Know
All classes have a 30% non-refundable deposit that may be credited toward a future class if Cancellation Notice is given 48hours BEFORE the start of class. The full price of the class is forfeited if proper notice is not given.FULL POLICY
Covid-19 Precautions
Safety of our community is our top priority. We follow the guidelines of our local governement when deciding how to run our classes. We reserve the right to adjust class structure as needed.
Reviews for Vagabond School of the Arts
4.9 out of 5
Based on 442 provider ratings
Kyle P.
Apr 14, 2025
Loved:
I love Heidi's class. She's an excellent actress and acting coach and works hard to ensure every student performs their best while being super supportive. I've learned a lot and highly recommend her class.
Film & TV Intensive with Heidi Johanningmeier
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Heidi Johanningmeier
Nancy C.
Apr 14, 2025
Loved:
I really enjoyed this workshop! It was interesting to watch the auditions and hear the adjustments from both coaches. And then having “callbacks” on the second day and incorporating what we learned to make our auditions better. Both coaches had positive constructive criticism and were very encouraging to everyone. It was a very positive environment and a very complete training experience. I feel like I am already a better actor for attending this workshop. Thank you! Sincerely, Nancy Cole
Improvements:
Can’t think of any improvements, the set up was very professional and the videotaped auditions all looked and sounded good!
Self-Tape Audition Bootcamp
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Marika Engelhardt, Patrick Mulvey
Bettylynn K.
Apr 7, 2025
Loved:
I absolutely loved this class and the opportunity to hear the questions from the participants and answers plus more from Shelby Cherniat. It was an awesome online opportunity provided by Vagabond Through this class, I have a better understanding of the casting process both in LA and locally.
Improvements:
The only improvement I would like is to have more online opportunities from Vagabond
LA Casting Talkback - Shelby Cherniet
Location: ONLINE CLASS
Elaine H.
Apr 1, 2025
Loved:
Having a working professional share real and practical techniques for On Camera opportunities. The class size worked very well for questions and working through the exercises. I also love the multiple options of class days and times.
On Camera Unit 2
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Ed Kross
Kimberly H.
Mar 31, 2025
Loved:
Small class, instant feedback, and great atmosphere! Ed is very personable and answers questions. He has great insight regarding how the industry works. Also, I truly appreciate how he shares his knowledge and experiences regarding how he became an actor.
Improvements:
I can't think of anything
On Camera Unit 2
Location: Vagabond School of The Arts | Instructor: Ed Kross
Vagabond School of the Arts Location
Meet your Instructor
Cheryl G.
About Vagabond School of the Arts
Vagabond is more than a school; it's a community. The environment that we have cultivated at Vagabond is one of constant encouragement and support. We believe it's not enough to simply take the classes aimed at helping you better your craft, one must also be engaging with their fellow community. Our Professional Adult Classes set up our students for a professional career as an actor. We have kids classes that engage students whether they want to explore and grow or take a professional path. Check out our two locations: Chicago and Elmhurst, IL.
