The beginning has arrived. Over 90 New York City High School Students representing all 5 boroughs reached out to The Stella Adler Studio of Acting this fall for the opportunity to study at the historic conservatory for the next two years as a member of Adler Youth 2012. Over a two week period, these students made appointments for a one-on-one interview, and then returned on a second day, prepared to present a monologue from a published play. The result was the selection of 18 students, from low-income families, receiving little or no arts programming in their school, who are now beginning an extraordinary journey, training to become actors, for free, at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
Day one saw each of them sharing their audition monologues with the class. Following this, Artistic Director Tom Oppenheim welcomed them into the program and shared a brief history of Stella Adler and the importance of the work which now lies ahead. “Growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous.” An approach for embracing not only each session, but the importance of their role, now, from this day forward, in the world. Tom was followed by Nina Capelli Oppenheim, Director of Cultural Programs, who challenged the students to think big and really open themselves up through their work in the studio. Voice and Speech instructor Emily Buck offered a word about the skills she will be introducing throughout the first semester, and then, the work began. A robust physical and vocal workout filling he room with energy, laughter and a spirit of ensemble.
Enter: Adler Youth 2012.
– Tommy Demenkoff, Director of Outreach