Adult Acting

Learn the technique real actors use to book roles and build honest, compelling characters

UPCOMING SESSIONS BEGIN ON

Sep 28, 2026

7:00 pm

Register now

"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre."
- Uta Hagen, one of the great acting teachers of the 20th century

This adult acting workshop digs into scene study and audition technique, the real mechanics of building a character and walking into a room ready to book the part. But the skill underneath it doesn't stay on stage. Learning to stay present, read a room, and commit fully under pressure is the same muscle you use in a job interview, a hard conversation, or the first five minutes of meeting someone new. Come learn to act. Leave better at being yourself under pressure.

Learn the technique real actors use to book roles and build honest, compelling characters

Grounded in Uta Hagen's core principle: acting is doing, not performing a feeling

Hands-on scene study, so you leave with real tools, not just theory

Practical audition prep: how to walk into a room and commit fully, under pressure

No experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to do the work

Bonus: the same skills (presence, honesty, reading a room) show up in job interviews, hard conversations, and everyday confidence

Details

Total cost $400
Mondays 7-9pm
All experience levels are welcome. Ages 18+

Dates

Fall 2026 Session: September 28 - November 16
This session, the focus will be on the interests of each individual student. If you'd like to focus on audition material, that's great! If you'd rather focus on scene study, that's great! In any case, Karen will tailor class to the students who register, and work around your personal goals. All classes will always include focus on warmups, concentration, focus, physical and vocal exercises, theatre games, etc.

Payment plans are available!

Alleyway Education is committed to providing our programming for all, regardless of your financial situation. If you would like to apply for tuition assistance, please click here to fill out the form and we'll get back to you shortly.

If you are able, please consider making a contribution to Alleyway, naming our educational scholarship fund as the recipient. You'll help make our courses accessible to all WNYers!

Karen McDonald

A professional actor for over three decades, Karen has performed in major theatres across North America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

In New York: Funny Girl, Othello, Those Were The Days, and Tap Your Troubles Away. In Toronto: Fiddler on the Roof, Mame, 42nd St., Singin' in the Rain, and Hello Dolly. Regional Theatres: Studio Arena, Alleyway, Forbes, Dominion Rep, Theatre Orangeville, Capitol Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, Red Barn Theatre, Rainbow Stage, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Stage West, Show Boat, Bristol Valley Playhouse, and STC.

She has taught in performing arts schools for twenty years and has been a teaching artist in public schools in Toronto, Western New York, and the Bronx. She has written for as well as directed and choreographed shows with disabled artists. Her plays have been produced in Canada and the United States, most notably her one woman show "Up In A Balloon" which premiered at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan and subsequently played at Cape May Stage and Dominion Rep.

A proud member of Actor's Equity, ACTRA, and the Dramatists Guild, Karen is the first recipient of the Senator Dale Vulcar Award for Excellence in the Arts.