Solo Theater Workshop and Festival led by NYC Director Isaac Byrne

AZAA is proud to bring you this rare opportunity! Students will be guided through a progressive curriculum; writing, devising, and performing their own short solo piece.

Led by one of New York’s premiere directors in this specialty area. It’s your story. Your voice. Your vision. Solo Theater works make up some of the most exciting and highly awarded works at theater festivals worldwide. Participants will leave with a fully developed short piece ready to perform! We will be premiering six pieces here in our first ever Solo Theater Festival.

This workshop is followed by a production intensive led by Maren Mascarelli as a “how to” self-produce intensive in which all participants gain real world, invaluable experience and knowledge whether performing or not. Participation in this section is mandatory.

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Guest Artist In Residence

Isaac has received the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, Off Broadway Alliance award, 25 NYIT awards, and 11 Planet Connection Awards. Highest among these accolades are his work directing eight solo theater productions to wide praise internationally. Isaac has taught acting at the University of the Arts, the New York Film Academy, Texas State University, and the Tony nominated Matthew Corozine Studio in NYC. He studied acting with a variety of wonderful teachers including master acting teacher Fred Kareman, Larry Silverberg, Terry Martin, and Matthew Corozine. His students have gone on to work on Broadway, television, and in award winning films. He spent 13 years in New York City directing in Off Broadway venues including: HERE Arts Center, Joe’s Pub@The Public Theater, DR2, 59E59, and the Cherry Lane Theater. He also performs regularly with the Ad Hoc Economy theatre company in the award winning show Butcher Holler Here We Come. Productions he has directed have toured all over the world including in the UK (London, Edinburgh) Hong Kong, Germany, Estonia, Canada, and Italy.

Isaac's Website

“Isaac cast and directed me in “FRESH KILLS” a new play at 59East 59. Isaac understands the process an actor goes through to plumb a role. He got me there and for his belief in me I am forever grateful.”

Robert Funaro, THE SOPRANOS, AMERICAN GANSTER

Class Dates

Sunday’s November 7th, 14th, 21st; December 5th, 12th, 19th;

January 2nd (Final presentation class)

TIME: 4:30pm-7:30pm

Solo Theater Festival

Tech week January 15th – 17th*

*Other dates may be scheduled for production meetings. 

Performance weekend one – January 21st 7:00 pm, 22nd 7:00 pm

Performance weekend two – January 28th 7:00 pm, 29th, 7:00 pm

TUITION COST

General Public $350 | Ongoing AZAA Students $250

Pricing is inclusive of the production section.

At this time, like perhaps no other in our lifetimes, we have stories to share, voices that wish to be heard, joy and pain to be shared. We are looking forward to hearing, seeing and experiencing yours!

Solo Theater

Solo Theater

November 7th, 14th, 21st; December 5th, 12th, 19th; January 2nd (Final presentation class) 4:30pm – 7:30pm
General: $350.00 | Enrolled: $250.00 | Participation in the production of the Solo Theater Festival is required and included in price.

Whether storytelling, magic, comedy, dance or cabaret, the solo theater piece is one of the hardest to develop and most rewarding for performers and audience alike. The solo show can also be a lifeline for actors that gives them artistic and practical control over their careers. It allows actors to showcase their own unique gifts, tell the stories that matter to them, and to create a piece of work that they themselves own. Solo shows can be toured on festival circuits, self produced, or even sold or licensed to other performers. In this 7 week class, Isaac will remove the mystery surrounding successfully developing your own solo theater piece. He will guide you through the a progressive process of writing, devising, and performing your own short solo piece. Everyone who attends this workshop will leave with their own finished short solo show. The journey through that curriculum will be inspiring, challenging and transformative. Tired of waiting for someone else to give you a chance to show what you can do as an artist? Take the next step in your artistic career on your own terms, and create your own work.

Register

There’s more! Solo Theater Festival

Solo Theater

Starting January 9th | Performances January 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th, 7:00 pm
Production meetings & tech will be scheduled on the weekends leading up to performances.

As an integral part of our Solo Show exploration, Arizona Actors Academy has added a truly dynamic arm to complete this holistic experience.
This section will be led by Maren Mascarelli as a “how to” self-produce intensive in which all participants gain real world, invaluable experience and knowledge whether performing or not. This section is inclusive of the overall class fee.

Six artists and shows will be chosen to perform in our Solo Theater Festival. Beginning January 9th, all workshop participants will endeavour on a guided production route that will include:

  • * Marketing your show:
    • promotional photoshoot
    • curating and creating swag
    • designing a logo
    • promotional material
    • a show program
    • website and social media blitzs
    • and a database for networking
  • * Organizational Efficiency:
    • plotting your props and costumes
    • plotting technical elements
    • plotting packing and storage of your entire show
    • cleaning and maintenance plan
    • mending plan
    • technical upkeep and supply spares
    • and ultimately, a personal health plan for hygiene 
    • and safety on the road.

Maren Maclean Mascarelli

Shakespeare & Acting Coach

Maren has performed with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Birmingham Children’s Theatre, produced for Arizona Actor’s Academy, dramaturg-ed for Nearly Naked Theatre, designed for Phoenix Theatre and Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre, directed for Algonquin Theatre Company, Nevada Shakespeare in the Park, and The Shakespeare Theatre and was the Education Outreach Director for Southwest Shakespeare Company. She is an active member of Arizona’s AEA Member Coalition. She digs New Works and looks forward to honing her directing skills. She’s a teaching artist for Marin Shakespeare Company in their acclaimed Arts in Corrections program. Originally from New York she has made Phoenix home with her husband and their 2 dramatically darling daughters. www.marenmaclean.net AOE

Solo Shows Directed by Isaac

“strikingly beautiful.”

New York Times, The Other Mozart

“entertains us with a series of small stage-marvels guided by director Isaac Byrne’s precise aesthetic and abetted by the talents of a fine creative team”

BlogCritics.org, The Other Mozart

“fascinating and irresistibly intelligent..heartbreaking…Director Isaac Byrne milks the suspense throughout…full of surprises all the way to the end.”

Theatremania, The Other Mozart

“The Other Mozart is the most dynamic, theatrical, and moving one woman show I have ever seen. It’s truly wonderful, and I cannot recommend it enough…Under the skilled direction of Isaac Byrne…This show is the height of theatrical achievement, and the fruit of an obviously outstanding collaboration…. you simply must see this production”

Theater is Easy, The Other Mozart

“smart, original, refreshing, and maybe even necessary.”

The New Yorker, Tar Baby

“funny… kinetic showmanship

NY Times, Tar Baby

If you like Laurie Anderson, try St Kilda.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune, St Kilda

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ …creating a chilling atmosphere through light and sound onstage, Christopherson delivers one of the creepiest performances at this years’ Fringe.”

Global News, Canada, St Kilda

“one of the funniest, spookiest experiences I’ve ever had at the theater. With the timing of a seasoned comedian, Christopherson sparkles as a story-teller, breathing exciting new life into this oldest of art-forms. . . exciting, inventive . . . able to inspire fear, sympathy, laughter, and wonder. She’s a visionary in the theater world and legendary story-teller.”

The Theater Times, St Kilda

“a not-so-typical, one-woman performance that completely blew away the audience. . . an amazing sight for the senses. . . enchanting.”

Woman Around Town, St Kilda

Register for Solo Theater

F2021 Registration For Solo Theater (IB)
All of our communications are through email, please give us your best contact.

Tell Us About Yourself

Are you new to Arizona Actors Academy? *
Return Students who have not been enrolled at AZAA since June 2019 should register as a new student.

Class Waiver & Policies For Current & Return Students

• PAYMENT Your total tuition fee will be presented before submitting and charged upon completed registration using the information provided.
• REFUNDS Your payment is refundable with cancellation by October 24th. All cancellations thereafter are non-refundable.
• INSTRUCTOR EMERGENCY In the event of emergency, we will send email notifications if classes are cancelled. Any cancelled classes will be offered a make-up class with ample time to adjust your schedule.
• Class Etiquette
We strive every day to create the safest creative environment for artistic development. This requires a working space of the highest integrity for personal risk taking and artistic exploration, both on and off the stage. Please review our student expectations.

Class Waiver & Policies For New Students

Terms of Enrollment
• PAYMENT Your total tuition fee will be presented before submitting and charged upon completed registration using the information provided.
• REFUNDS Your payment is refundable with cancellation by October 24th. All cancellations thereafter are non-refundable.
• INSTRUCTOR EMERGENCY In the event of emergency, we will send email notifications if classes are cancelled. Any cancelled classes will be offered a make-up class with ample time to adjust your schedule.
• Class Etiquette
We strive every day to create the safest creative environment for artistic development. This requires a working space of the highest integrity for personal risk taking and artistic exploration, both on and off the stage. Please review our student expectations.
Waiver of Liability:
As a participant in any program or class at Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Studios LLC), understand and agree that in participating in any acting/voice/movement class, workshop, rehearsal or performance, there is a possibility of physical injury or death. I recognize and acknowledge there are certain risks of physical injury, and I agree to assume the full risk of injuries, including death, damages or loss that I or my minor child may sustain as a result of participating in any activities connected with or associated with such program or class. I agree to waive and relinquish all claims I or my minor child may have as a result of participating in any program or class against Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs. (Hotchner Studios LLC) and its officers, agents, servants, employees and independent contractors. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Studios LLC) and it's officers, agents, servants, employees an independent contractors from my claims resulting from injuries including death, damages and losses sustained by me or my minor child that arise out of, in connection with, or in any way associated with the activities of this program.
Optional Waiver:
Please check this waiver if you will permit use of you or your child's image as described below. If you do not check this waiver, we will not use you or your child's image. I understand that Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Sudios LLC) is a non-profit organization that promotes acting as an art form not only to it's students, but also to the community at large. As such, articles, brochures, videos and websites may be used either promotionally or educationally and may include images of Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Studios LLC) students or other participants in our programs. I hereby permit the use of my, or my daughter/son's image to be photographed, videotaped or otherwise recorded for the use in Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Studios LLC) publicity or educational materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, photographs of classes and performances, newsletters, various other school publications, Arizona Actors Academy/Theatre Upstairs (Hotchner Studios LLC) internet webpage and video of class/performances.

Covid-19

Covid-19 protocols:
• It will be up to you whether to wear a mask or not while attending classes and events.
• The choice to wear a mask or not until our country reaches herd immunity is up to each individual.
• No commenting on, shaming, deriding or judging of another’s choice to wear or not wear a mask will be tolerated.
• Please help us hold in place, with integrity, this space for creative expression and personal risk taking by fostering acceptance and understanding of your peers personal choice in this matter.
• We are still limiting class sizes.
• By taking part in our classes you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
• Do not participate in any classes if you are feeling sick.
• We have amazing Make-Up options for missed classes.
• Regardless of the above tenets, we highly recommend students get vaccinated and ask that those who are not wear a mask to protect vulnerable populations from COVID.

Payment Information

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