FAQ
WhY A free Audit?
A free audit means that before you formally join a class, you participate in that class just like a regular student. That gives you a chance to experience if what Chris teaches is a good fit for you and your current acting goals, and it gives him a chance to evaluate your work. To schedule a free audit, please contact the studio. Note: Only two auditor spaces per class. No walk-ins! No spectators! No guests!
How long are classes and workshops?
Classes are 4 hours long.
Workshops include 4 hours of instruction per section, may have more than one section scheduled per day, and can occur over several consecutive days.
How big are your classes and workshops?
Enrollment for acting classes and workshops is limited to a maximum of 15 students (excluding auditors). When a class or workshop is full, you have the option of being placed on a waitlist.
health PROTOCOLS
If an actor doesn’t feel well or feels sick, they must stay home, and their attendance at any audit, class, workshop, or coaching session will be rescheduled without penalty.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO TRAIN AT THE STUDIO?
19 is the lowest age we will consider for admission to studio classes and workshops. Parents, please do not contact the studio on behalf of your adult child. Adults are expected to deal with the studio directly.
For Boulder classes, please contact the studio to set up your free audit. After your audit, the instructor will evaluate whether classes at the studio are a good fit for you and your current acting goals.
Is this type of acting training appropriate for me?
Anxiety and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Our training involves intense and sustained emotional work that may not be suitable for those who experience significant anxiety, panic symptoms, or even treated trauma (including PTSD). Prospective students must assess in advance their ability to engage in this kind of acting training, and consult a qualified licensed mental health professional if appropriate.
Poor Shame Regulation
The mirroring exercises that are the core of the Meisner Technique may not be suitable for those with poor shame regulation. Prospective students must assess in advance their ability to engage in this kind of acting training, and consult a qualified licensed mental health professional if appropriate.
Prescription medications caveat
Some types of medications may flatten your emotional affect or they may have the opposite effect, which could be dangerous to you or others. Regardless of how hard you work and train, some medications may interfere with your progress. No acting technique or teacher can compete with mood-altering prescription drugs. Please do not change your dosage or stop your medication without the consent and supervision of your physician.
Recreational drugs and alcohol
The use of recreational drugs or alcohol prior to or during a class, workshop, or rehearsal is grounds for expulsion from the studio.
Removal from class
Stress and personal conflict are inherent to, and essential qualities of, acting training in the Meisner Technique and other method acting techniques, and this may aggravate and/or worsen physical and mental health disorders. Students have an affirmative duty to disclose to studio instructors in advance any physical or mental condition they know or should know could be aggravated, triggered, and/or worsened by any acting techniques, exercises, or other training offered by the studio. If during the course of acting training at the studio, a student manifests any physical or mental behavior and/or symptoms that raises a concern for the instructor as to whether or not the student can continue to train in the full curriculum at the studio without risk of harm to themselves or others, the instructor will ask the student to withdraw from training, and they will receive a full refund of any remaining class credits.
Are there class rules?
Every student must read and sign the Class Rules form before they can participate in their first class. Students who violate Class Rules, which include by reference, any rules of the theater complex or venue where classes are held, may result in expulsion, at the studio’s sole discretion, and there are no refunds under such circumstances. Students are expected to always behave civilly and professionally with instructors and fellow students. Disrespect towards others will not be tolerated, and is grounds for expulsion.
What’s your absence policy?
Colorado Students
24-hour advance notice by email is required in order to receive credit for a missed class or workshop session after your first paid and attended class. (However, the advance notice requirement is waived in instances of illness or severe bad weather). Credits are good for 3 months from the original date of purchase, credited per class, not per hour, and are not transferable to others. With instructor permission, credits may be applied to other studio classes and workshops for the same student.
Los Angeles Students
There are no credits or refunds for missed workshop sessions or classes.
How much does it cost?
Colorado Classes
Tuition is currently $160 (4 classes/4 hours long), payable month to month. There is no extended financial commitment beyond one month.
Note: The studio no longer accepts checks. For online payments, please go to our Payments page.
What’s your refund policy?
There are no refunds, except as set forth above, but Colorado students may be eligible for class credits according to the terms of the Class Rules and the absence policy.
Non-discrimination policy
The Chris Thatcher Acting Studio does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, accepting or rejecting students, hiring and firing staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. The foregoing notwithstanding, the studio retains the right to remove students from class at any time, for any non-discriminatory reason, if they manifest behavior raising a question about a risk of harm to themselves or others, including but not limited to violations of studio Class Rules, at the studio’s sole discretion, and nothing in this FAQ creates an obligation to retain someone as a student.
