Overview
Take a deep dive into classical and heightened text performance! This three-week, concentrated course will focus on essential techniques for performing Shakespeare and Elizabethan theatre, Greek theatre, poetic text, and heightened adaptations. Advanced acting students will uncover the intentions of this language and learn to perform and actualize the text with physical, emotional, and vocal clarity.
This class is ideal for actors auditioning for classical works at their educational institutions, for students preparing for college, advanced actors seeking to round out their training, and lovers of classical literature who want to improve translating their intellectual understanding onto the stage.
Students should bring two printed classical or poetic monologues (1-2 minutes in length) with which they are familiar. Students will be provided with additional materials including scenes and poetry for exploration during the class.
This class is for the intermediate-advanced performer, and/or the classical literature enthusiast, who is dedicated to in-depth, rigorous study.
Program Details
Ages: 14-22
Dates: Thursdays, 6–9 p.m.
March 5, March 12, and March 19, 2026
Tuition: $250*
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, Virginia
*Register for two acting workshops and receive $10 off. Register for three workshops and receive $15 off! Scene Analysis Workshop • Acting Through Song. No code required.
Program Faculty
Jessie Holder Tourtellotte
Senior Teaching Artist
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Jessie Holder Tourtellotte is a working actor, writer, and producer and a prolific coach and teaching artist. Locally, she works extensively with AFYP/George Mason Community Arts, is a sought after clinician with multiple FCPS theatre and music programs, and many local theatre companies. Jessie holds a BFA from the University of the Arts’ Ira Brind School of Theatre Arts and has also trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse, Actor’s Movement Studio, and more. She is currently the intimacy choreographer and movement specialist in residence at NOVA Nightsky Theatre.
As a college and graduate study audition coach, she boasts a high matriculation rate annually including acceptances to every major conservatory program as well as to strong professional training programs across the country, in addition to sending students every year to pre college programs and summer intensives at competitive schools.
She is a winner of the Los Angeles International Screenwriting Competition and a past semifinalist for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship, a graduate of the New York Women in Film and Television From Script to Pre Production Lab. She served as the acting coach on the last two consecutive Cappies NCA Best Play Winning productions, has served on the acting faculty at the Identity School of Acting both in Los Angeles and Internationally, and is a faculty member with The Artist’s Initiative.
Her adaptation of Euripides’ The Trojan Women has won awards from its world premiere and is now under contract for licensing by multiple producing organizations for the coming year.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes two business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact [email protected] for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].