Manor Mill Playhouse Monthly Masterclass
Second Monday of every month at 6:45pm
About mmph masterclass
MMPH Masterclass is a monthly evening of theater appreciation and performance that meets at Manor Mill and is free and open to the public. Masterclass is an extension of the Manor Mill Playhouse (MMPH) Company and is designed to offer a variety of ways to learn about and engage with the elements of theater—from new work showcases and scene studies to talkbacks and acting workshops.
The mmph company
The MMPH Company is an ever-evolving group of production team members and actors who have participated in at least one MMPH production. The purpose of the company is to further cultivate and nurture the MMPH community outside of production participation in order to build advocacy for MMPH’s mission and drive our Monthly Masterclass and additional programming as the organization continues to grow. Company participation includes:
Advance notice of season announcements, productions, and audition and design calls
Headshot and resume included in MMPH database
Ticket discounts for MMPH shows
Opportunities to pitch ideas for and run/host Monthly Masterclass
A quarterly meeting to connect outside of shows, discuss MMPH direction, share opportunities, and provide feedback
Masterclass co-hosts
Vanessa Eskridge
Vanessa Eskridge founded Manor Mill Playhouse with the mission of creating a vibrant space where local actors, designers, and theater enthusiasts can produce and enjoy high-quality theater. Her performance career has taken her from New York City to London to Baltimore, and her extensive experience directing and producing for theater, radio, and television has deepened her belief that nothing compares to the magic of live performance. Vanessa is passionate about fostering creative community and seeks to enrich the local and regional theater landscape for years to come through MMPH.
M. Eden Walker
M. Eden Walker has been involved in Manor Mill Playhouse productions since its inception, and she holds acting, directing, producing credits in both Baltimore and New York. In addition to performing, she works as a solo playwright artist in NYC, and she holds a BA from Boise State University where she studied theater performance, directing and playwriting. In partnership with artistic director Vanessa Eskridge and the MMPH Leadership team, she fosters MMPH’s community-driven mission by helping to lead the MMPH company and programming for Monthly Masterclass.
Monday, February 9 - intro to meisner technique
Are you an actor? Or interested in learning to be more present and confident in your individual choices? If you're open to that kind of authentic, moment-to-moment, human experience, then the Sanford Meisner approach to acting might be just for you!
In this free master class, Manor Mill Playhouse company members Emily Decker and Anthony Ross Ocampo will be offering an introduction to this technique. You'll learn how this versatile approach equips you to be a better listener, more present partner, and prepared for any scene and circumstance—truthfully! You'll also experience some of the foundational exercises of this technique and learn ways to apply it in your own practice—across stage, TV, or film.
Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming Monthly Masterclasses & Topics
Monday, March 9th: A Play in Search of a Director - WITCH BY Jen silverman
Join MMPH Company members Carol DeLisle (Our Town), Anthony O'Campo (The Actor's Nightmare, Murder on the Orient Express), Michael Zemarel (Our Town), Paul Norfolk (Our Town), and Lauren Meley (The Actor's Nightmare, Murder on the Orient Express) and MMPH friend Hayden Hauptman for a reading of Witch. First produced in 2018, Witch explores the delicate balance between hope and despair and the value of the human soul when hope is hard to find. With modest scenic requirements and some challenging questions at its core, this subversive dramatic comedy is perfect for small theatre.
If you are a director looking for a new play, an actor interested in the process, or a theater fan who would like to observe, this is a terrific (and FREE) chance to come on out to see experienced actors at work!
This is a free event, but please register as space is limited! Snacks will be provided and BYOB.
Doors open at 6:45 pm and Masterclass will run from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in The Loft or in the galleries when the weather gets cold.
View Past Masterclass topics
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