Method Acting

In this Master Class, actors will be introduced to core principles of Lee Strasberg’s Method, focusing on the essential link between sensory work and truthful performance. Through a combination of practical exercises and guided exploration, participants will deepen their emotional access and sharpen their connection to the text.

The class will be divided into two parts. In the first half, students will focus on active relaxation techniques and a series of sensory exercises developed by Lee Strasberg to unlock physical and emotional availability. In the second half, participants will apply these tools to personalize their performances, working on monologues from both classical and contemporary plays to bring greater authenticity, depth, and emotional truth to their work.

Course Objectives:

To train actors in relaxation and sensory work according to The Method by Lee Strasberg. Actors will also use sensory work to create honest, dynamic performances and learn how to develop their theatrical artistry. We will also focus on script analysis and breaking down scenes, beats, objectives, and circumstances to better tell the story.

Teaching and Learning Methodologies

Class will begin with questions and discussion. Actors will then work on relaxation and sensory exercises developed by Lee Strasberg. Afterward, they will apply the sensory work to their monologue work.

Recommended Texts

Suggestions will be given in class.

Course Topics and Contents May Include Exercises Such as:

• Morning breakfast drink
• Mirror/shaving or putting on make-up
• Putting on or taking off of shoes and socks
• Three pieces of fabric
• Sunshine
• Sharp pain
• Sharp taste
• Sharp smell
• Sound/Music
• Place
• Shower or bath
• Overall sensations (heat, cold, wind, snow, rain, fever, illness, etc…)
• Personal object (Inanimate Object)
• Personal object (Animated Object)
• Twosomes (Overall Sensation plus Personal Object.)
• Threesomes (Overall Sensation plus Personal Object plus Monologue or Daily Activities)
• Animal Work
• Private Moment

General Information and Requirements

• Date: Saturday May 31st, 2025
• Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Place: HOLA Office/Studio (107 Suffolk St 3rd floor # 302)
• Language: English and Spanish
• Duration: 3 hours, including a 30-minute Q&A session
• Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the class. The class will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
• Attendance: Only register if you can commit to attending the entire class.
• Late Admission: No one will be admitted once the class has started.

About the instructor

Marcel Simoneau has been teaching at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute for 20 Years. He has appeared on TV in: Gotham, God Friended Me, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Fringe, Ed and Strangers with Candy and more recently on the first episode of the original Law & Order reboot, a guest starring role on Blacklist and a National commercial for E*Trade.

Film credits include: The Rebound, Imperialists are Still Alive, Horizon, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Stranger, Kinsey, Seduction, Meridian.

Marcel also has done extensive Voice-Over work in commercials for Budweiser, Canada Dry, NyQuill, GoDaddy, Goody, Chloé, BDO, MFS among others and in more recently in Rob Zombie’s Untitled Munsters Reboot, Stillwater, Halston, Mythic Quest, Birds of Paradise, Little Women, Emily in Paris, The Queen’s Gambit, Dash & Lily, Wildlike, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, High Maintenance, Super Troopers 2, What Just Happened, Royal Pains, and The Pirates of Somalia.

Marcel has also performed in numerous Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows including My First Time at New World Stages for a year and a half.

Marcel has also directed a few films including Hologramme, Lurker, Le Village, Like Totally Hot Couple Seeking Same, Two People He Never Saw, which alI screened at renowned festivals from Cannes to Hollyshorts.

He studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, NYU, Columbia University, The Actors Movement, and the Maggie Flanigan Studio.

About HOLA Master Classes series:

HOLA Master Classes present exclusive opportunities for participants to learn from seasoned industry professionals in theater, film, television, streaming media, and voice-overs. Each immersive session delves into the nuances of the craft, guided by the expertise of distinguished instructors who have made their mark across stages, screens, and professional recording environments worldwide. Through focused instruction and practical exercises, aspiring talents hone their skills, receiving personalized feedback and insights that fuel their artistic growth.

HOLA Master Classes take place once a month and are offered at an affordable rate for the broader community—and they’re completely free for HOLA members.

HOLA y sus clases magistrales:

Las HOLA Master Classes presentan oportunidades exclusivas para que los participantes aprendan de profesionales experimentados en teatro, cine, televisión, medios de streaming y locución. Cada sesión inmersiva profundiza en los matices de cada disciplina, guiada por la experiencia de distinguidos instructores que han dejado su huella en escenarios, pantallas y entornos de grabación profesionales de todo el mundo. A través de instrucción enfocada y ejercicios prácticos, los talentos en ascenso perfeccionan sus habilidades, recibiendo retroalimentación personalizada y conocimientos que impulsan su crecimiento artístico.

Estas clases magistrales se realizan una vez al mes y se ofrecen a un precio asequible para la comunidad en general, además de ser completamente gratuitas para los miembros de HOLA.

Cancellation Policy:

• This complimentary offer for HOLA members is subject to limited availability. We ask that you register only if you can attend the entire event.
• In the event that you need to cancel your reservation, we kindly ask for your prompt notification with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please send an email to inform us of your cancellation at education@holaofficial.org.
• Failure to provide timely notice or being a no-show will result in a 3-month restriction from participating in HOLA programming, starting from the event date.
• To register for events during the restriction period, a $35 penalty fee will be required to waive the restriction.

Política de cancelación:

• Esta oferta gratuita para los miembros de HOLA cuenta con plazas limitadas, por lo que les pedimos amablemente que se inscriban únicamente si están seguros de poder asistir al evento completo.
• Si necesitan cancelar, les solicitamos que nos notifiquen con al menos 24 horas de antelación enviando un correo electrónico a education@holaofficial.org
• La falta de notificación para cancelar dentro del plazo especificado o la inasistencia resultará en una restricción de 3 meses para participar en las actividades de HOLA.
• Si desea registrarse en eventos durante su período de restricción, tendrá que pagar una tarifa de penalización de $35 para evitar la restricción.

This program is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, as well as by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Miranda Family Fund, Radio Drama Network, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund for their private contributions to our 2024-2025 programming, fostering Hispanic and Latin artists who enrich our culture.