The Sonder Acting Studio
Ensemble Program
with Shane Savage
The primary focus of this ensemble is the pursuit of Excellence.
Far more personalized than your average acting class.
Working intimately in groups of 6, each ensemble is hand selected to ensure a tight cohort with similar experience levels and skill.
As a small ensemble, you will meet once a week to deliver work to the very best of your ability as your peers and I hold you to the highest standards.
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Discipline creates freedom, and you can expect to reach new heights as we diligently, respectfully and safely approach the work from a place of joy, curiosity and play.
Perfect for Actors looking to level up their craft and build community.
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Click the button below for upcoming dates, application form and to audit a class.
Designed to advance over 4 levels, our Ensemble program takes Actors from the level 1 'Fundamentals', where we create (or reconnect you to) the solid foundation of your instrument, to the level 4 'Freedom' of being able to embody and work on complex texts and characters with ease.
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​Taught with love, the ‘good is good enough’ mentality will be banished and you’ll discover incredible results from consistently showing up to the best of your ability.
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​Actors may only advance through the program once they have demonstrated Excellence at their current level. In some instances, Actors will be asked to repeat a level before qualifying for advancement.
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Pre Requisites
Before commencing the program, actors must read either:
Fine on Acting by Howard Fine
OR
A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen
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Shane Savage has trained extensively with Howard Fine as both an Actor and Teacher, serving on Howards Australian faculty, and will be referencing techniques and exercises contained in Fine on Acting.
Howard Fine was named ‘LA’s Best Acting Coach’ by Backstage magazine and has coached many notable names including OSCAR Winners Jennifer Connelly, Will Smith, Brad Pitt and Jared Leto, OSCAR Nominees Bradley Cooper, Michelle Williams, Salma Hayek and Austin Butler, GOLDEN GLOBE Nominees Brooke Shields and Mark Harmon and EMMY winners Kim Delaney, Sela Ward and Michael Chiklis.
The techniques taught in this program are the same techniques these actors use.
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You can purchase the revised edition of Fine on Acting HERE (requires shipping from US) or you can listen to it on Audible.
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A Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen can be purchased HERE or you can listen to it on audible.
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Testimonials
“Shane Savage is one of the more intuitive, sharp, efficient and effective coaches I've worked with and alongside. His discipline, passion and creative gifts lend themselves to a safe and potent environment for growth and excellence at any level you may be starting from. Couldn't recommend more.”
ZIBBY ALLEN
Virgin River (Netflix), Greys Anatomy (ABC), Gabby Duran & The Unsittables (Disney)
Working mainly on camera, each level contains 6 x 4 hour classes, meeting weekly. This program is designed for Actors seeking flexibility with their ongoing training. Each level will be run multiple times a year, if a student wishes to take a break, they can pick back up where they left off.
Level 1: The Fundamentals
Over 6 weeks, Actors will work slowly and specifically on exercises designed to build foundational technique. Through monologues and scene work we'll examine each of Uta Hagens 6 steps of script analysis in detail, your sense of self and unique voice as an Artist, and start finding freedom on camera.
We'll also look at your instrument as a whole and begin building your daily practice.
Level 3: Finding Freedom
"Freedom comes from Mastery" - Howard Fine.
​Expanding upon the previous levels, Actors will spend 6 weeks deep diving a single text.
We'll work slowly and specifically to build a world and create such detailed characters that you're able to surrender completely to impulse and find spontaneous freedom within a scene.
By this stage Actors will have begun fine tuning their daily practice and have a deepened trust with their instrument and ability.
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Level 2: Advanced Obligations
In a studio setting Actors will find authentic connection to various states and conditions, and find freedom within circumstance when obligated to embody them by the text.
These include Playing Physical and Sensory Conditions (illness, pain, intoxication), Heightened Emotional Obligations (grief, tears, laughter), Physical Intimacy, Physical Action, as well as justifying and motivating heightened behaviour (Villain, Musical etc).
Level 4: Application to Industry
By this level, Actors will have a thorough understanding of their technique and can start focussing on story analysis within the framework of our local industry, focussing on creating fully realized, believable characters within the unique demands of different projects. Just as a Musical is different from Shakespeare, a sitcom is different from a crime procedural.
Actors will also expand upon their sense of self work, and continue honing their daily practice.
For Upcoming Dates, Ensemble Application or to audit a class, Please CLICK HERE.
Meet Your Instructor
Shane Savage has been teaching professionally for over a decade and has designed programs for, and served on the faculty of the National Theatre Drama School, Howard Fine Acting Studio (Australia) and is the proud founder of the Sonder Acting Studio.
He has won awards Internationally for his extensive work as an Actor, Producer, Director and Writer in both theatre and film. He believes that the pursuit of Mastery can be lead with kindness and humour, and while he expects the highest level of commitment from his students, he always approaches the work with curiosity and joy.
What our current Ensemble members say
"I went from feeling highly critical and judgemental of my abilities to confidently submitting multiple auditions of a very high standard with extremely tight deadlines, purely because of the tools this ensemble has given me. This class provides insight into how to keep your instrument tuned and ready for moments like these."
Eliza McEwen
For Upcoming Dates, Ensemble Application or to audit a class, Please CLICK HERE.
FAQ'S
Watch Studio Founder Shane Savage answer some FAQ's about the Ensemble Program
Cancellation Policy
Refund Policy
If offered a place in Level 1, a non refundable fee of $150 is required to confirm your place, with the remaining course fees due before the first class, unless a payment plan has been agreed to.
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If a student misses a class, they will not be refunded for that class.
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If a student withdraws from the program within 14 days of commencement date, or before completion of their current level, they are still liable to pay full fees for all classes missed, and are not eligible for a refund.
This refund policy is in place to protect the livelihood of our instructors and the quality of the work.
We are only able to provide this work to such small class sizes when every seat is full. Your financial commitment to the program ensures quality for both you and your colleagues.
Direct any questions to admin@sonderacting.com