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"GREAT WORK! Ken is a brilliant actor and acting teacher, director, dialect coach, and movement teacher... he's everything!" Harvey Keitel

Ken Schatz

NEXT OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, January 18

about ken

"Mr. Schatz is simply superb." --The New York Times"Remarkable" --The Washington PostA leading acting teacher and coach in New York City, KEN SCHATZ (SAG, AEA) has been training professional actors for over 18 years. His students and clients are working performing artists in theatre, television, and film. His mission is to equip them with the specific creative vocabulary, tools, and skills they need to do their best work.On the faculty of Circle in the Square Theatre School - the only acting conservatory attached to a Broadway theatre - Ken has taught, coached, and directed for many well-known acting schools, colleges and universities, production companies, talent agencies, and casting offices, including NYU Tisch School of the Arts, The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Harlem School of the Arts, Gorilla Rep, The Actors Institute, NYC's Professional Performing Arts School, SUNY, University of Vermont, Jim Simpson's Bat Theater Company, PHYSIQUE Studio at Carnegie Hall, MTV, and Pat McCorkle Casting.Ken's coaching credits include Tim Blake Nelson's THE GREY ZONE with David Arquette and Steve Buscemi (Killer Films), COP LAND with Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY with Matt Dillon and Cameron Diaz, SHADRACH with Harvey Keitel and Andie MacDowell, ABC's SPIN CITY, CRIME SPREE, and many other films, commercials, and theatre productions. He is trained by Moni Yakim (creator of the movement programs at Juilliard and Yale, author of CREATING A CHARACTER) in Physical Acting Technique, and featured in the ACT NY Guide to Qualified Acting Coaches.Ken's acting credits include FINDING GRACELAND with Harvey Keitel and Bridget Fonda, Todd Haynes' award-winning film POISON, the Obie-winning CROWBAR and BAD PENNY with En Garde Arts, KING LEAR with André De Shields at Classical Theatre of Harlem and The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, B.H. Barry's TREASURE ISLAND, THE LIBERTINE with Fools' Theatre, A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY at Stoneham Theatre, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with Gorilla Rep, The Monotony Variety Show at Todo Con Nada, and SESAME STREET. He has performed with many well-known theatre companies, including Golden Rivet, Blue Light, Willow Cabin, JMTC, Dancing in the Streets, MaskWork Unlimited, Kinding Sindaw, and Bread & Puppet. His voice-over credits include MTV's DARIA, HBO, SESAME STREET, Air America Radio, Disney, and Mo Willems' Cartoon Network series SHEEP IN THE BIG CITY.Ken is Artistic Director of POOK'S HILL, a new company of theatre artists and musicians producing classic plays and developing innovative performance works from history, literature, and folklore. A powerful singer and arranger of traditional/roots music sea songs and chanteys, gospel, blues, ballads, and worksongs he performs regularly at folk music clubs, festivals, and concert venues, and has designed vocal scores for several theatre projects. He has administered several actor training programs for NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and is the former Associate Director of Circle in the Square Theatre School.Ken's headshot, acting resume, and voice-over reel are available on request.
coaching

coaching

THE FIRST HOUR OF COACHING IS FREE FOR NEW STUDENTS

For individual actors and groups in theatre, television, and film - even on short notice - Ken offers dynamic, effective private coaching, project and role coaching, audition preparation, consulting, and ongoing private study in:

acting technique, scene study, text analysis

audition prep, monologues, cold reading

movement, ensemble work, improvisation

Private coaching / consulting with Ken in New York is $120 per hour. The first hour is FREE for new students.

Special rates are available for actors needing a large number of coaching hours to prepare for a particular project or role. Discounts are available for Circle in the Square alumni and for actors currently enrolled in Ken's weekly class. Group rates are also available. Coaching fees for theatre, film, and television projects are arranged individually, based on each client's needs. Fees for special classes, out-of-town teaching/coaching, and workshops for casts and companies are also arranged individually.

Coaching sessions are held in convenient midtown Manhattan studios. On-site/on-set sessions, phone/video sessions, and housecalls can be arranged. Times and locations are subject to change.

A full 24 hours advance notice is required to cancel or reschedule a coaching session without charge. For your convenience, Ken now offers the option to pay for private coaching with a credit card via PayPal. Click HERE to pay.

To schedule a coaching session or for more information, call 718-625-8372 or e-mail info_kenschatz.com

voice, speech, accents & dialects

mask performance technique

physical & vocal character work

class

ACTING TECHNIQUE - SCENE STUDYMONDAY EVENINGS, 6:30 - 10:30 pm THURSDAY EVENINGS, 6:30 - 10:30 pmEach week, we link intensive training forms and technique exercises with detailed work on contemporary and classical scenes and monologues. We place a special emphasis on practical application of actor training: rehearsal technique in real professional situations, working alone and with others, text analysis, given circumstances, actions and objectives, physical and vocal choices to create character, problem-solving, and sensory skills. We equip each actor with vocabulary, tools, and skills to approach any acting task on stage or on film with honesty, clarity, depth, and confidence.Our class is ongoing, every week, for four hours at a time. Choose either our Monday evening or our Thursday evening session, or both. New students are admitted at the start of each month (each four-week session):WINTER - SPRING 2012JANUARY (register by January 6)Mondays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, January 9 - January 30Thursdays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, January 12 - February 2FEBRUARY (register by February 3)Mondays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, February 6 - February 27Thursdays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, February 9 - March 1MARCH (register by March 2)Mondays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, March 5 - March 26Thursdays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, March 8 - March 29APRIL (register by March 30)Mondays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, April 2 - April 23Thursdays, 6:30 - 10:30 pm, April 5 - April 26For your convenience, Ken now offers the option to pay for classes and private coaching with a credit card via PayPal.CLICK HERE TO PAYOnce a week, Monday or Thursday:$240 per month, $400 for two consecutive months, $520 for three consecutive months, or $1000 for any six months of your choice with scheduling flexibilityNEW! Each month, a limited number of Flexible Class Cards are available for actors who have worked with Ken before and who have especially tricky schedules - ask Ken for details:Any 4 classes for $280ORAny 8 classes for $480Admission to Ken's class is by audition. Audition interviews are scheduled individually - call, message, or e-mail Ken to schedule an appointment. In addition to a current photo and resume, please prepare one brief monologue, either contemporary or classical. Please choose published dramatic or comic material for which you would be castable. The monologue should run about two minutes.Reserve your spot in class - once it is offered - at any time with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $100. Payment in full is required by the posted registration deadline. Space is limited - interested actors should audition and register early. Referral discounts are available - ask Ken for details. Classes are held in convenient midtown Manhattan studios. Times and locations are subject to change. To ensure a safe, concentrated working environment, auditing is not permitted except for occasional specially scheduled Open House classes.To schedule an audition appointment or for more information, call 718-625-8372 or CLICK HERE.
Ken Schatz Actor TrainingOPEN HOUSEWednesday January 18 6:30 pm to 9:00 pmTHIS EVENT IS FREE A chance for anyone thinking about taking a professional acting class to meet me and my current students, audit an evening of my weekly Scene Study class, and ask lots of questions.RESERVATIONS REQUIREDCLICK HEREor email info_kenschatz.com
workshops

workshops

For acting schools, college/university programs, readings, showcases, theatre and film productions, theatre companies, talent agencies and casting offices in New York or anywhere, Ken can custom-design a special workshop program of any length to suit the needs, interests, and goals of any large or small group of professional performing artists in the following areas:acting technique, scene study, text analysisaudition prep, monologues, cold readingmovement, ensemble work, improvisationvoice, speech, accents & dialectsmask performance techniquephysical & vocal character workTo arrange a special workshop for your group or for more information, call 718-625-8372, or email info_kenschatz.com
news No Frame

CRITICS LOVE TREASURE ISLAND!New York Times Critic's Pick:* Treasure Island "The classic tale of pirates and buried treasure is rendered with terrific verve by an all-male-and-parrot cast... The sword-fights crackle, the acting is first-rate, and a generous dose of authentic sea chanteys add some musical propulsion to Robert Louis Stevenson's story.""Ripping good! Rousing, spiffily acted... And a particularly sweet touch is the use of authentic sea chanteys to punctuate the action; Ken Schatz, the show's music director, doubles as a cast member, starting off the songs, generally while dangling from the rigging of the ship that, by this show's end, your imagination can more or less see at full sail." -- The New York Times"Beautifully performed sea chanteys, led by the show's talented music director, Ken Schatz." -- The New Yorker"Every scene begins and ends with a sea chantey hauntingly intoned by Ken Schatz. Stellar performances... standouts among the cast [include] Schatz (again) as a faithful retainer whose quiet, unassuming death lingers as the most moving scene in the entire play." --TheaterMania "Ken Schatz lustily croons the sea-chantey score." -- BackStage "A superb and exciting production... expertly acted by all... You will be amazed by the transformation of Ken Schatz as the Chanteyman who sings as the episodic scenes change, and then becomes Mrs. Hawkins and then Redruth." -- Talk Entertainment "Credit goes to Ken Schatz, the musical director, who also appears as the Chanteyman (and also Mrs. Hawkins and Redruth). Small and immensely graceful, he climbs the ship's rig and leads the pirates in classic chanteys in a voice both soulful and stirring." -- The Brooklyn Papers "Swashbuckling sword fights, drunk brawling pirates, fire blazing muskets, powder packed pistols, a live parrot, a cappella sea chanteys sung in rollicking harmony, and a darn good seafarin' yarn... The entire cast is very very good! Ken Schatz deserves extra mention, not only ably assuming three roles including Mrs. Hawkins, but serving as music director and lead singer for those authentic chanteys that add nicely to the ambience. The whole package is Broadway caliber." -- NYTheatre.com

ABOUT THE SONGS

Except for "Fifteen Men on the Dead Mans Chest," the songs in this production of Treasure Island are traditional sea chanteys - shipboard work songs from the Golden Age of Sail - selected, adapted and arranged by Ken Schatz in collaboration with B.H. Barry. Our adaptation of "Fifteen Men" expands Stevenson's lyrics from the novel in chantey form with additional traditional lyrics and a new original tune and arrangement by Ken Schatz. For more information on the development of the show's score and the music and history of the songs, please e-mail Ken Schatz at info_kenschatz.com.

* RUNS THROUGH MARCH 26, 2011 at The Irondale Center, Brooklyn *

For tickets and more information about the production of Treasure Island , directed by B.H. Barry, please visit www.treasureislandtheplay.org

testimonials

"GREAT WORK! Ken is a brilliant actor and acting teacher, director, dialect coach, and movement teacher... he's everything!"-- Harvey Keitel (THE PIANO, PULP FICTION)"Ken is an inventive, compassionate, versatile, and energetic teacher and performer. His knowledge is deep, his skills are sharp, and he is constantly striving to improve his work. He has strength and power both as an actor and as a teacher. There are few teachers who have as keen an understanding of the relationship between the actors body, voice, and inner life."-- Moni Yakim (Creator of the Movement Programs at Juilliard & Yale, Author of CREATING A CHARACTER)"Since I started working with Ken, I have begun booking jobs significantly more often and I believe it is a direct result of his coaching. Ken's teaching is hands down the best training I've gotten in New York. I've watched countless actors in his class shed bad habits, develop the game-changing skill of knowing how to rehearse, and created grounded, truthful, and deeply personal performances, no matter the style or medium. Ken is an exceptionally gifted teacher who has affected my work profoundly, and I recommend him every chance I get."-- Kathryn Merry (Aquila Theatre Company, Northern Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, GUIDING LIGHT)"After several frustrating years of stagnation as an actor, Ken helped me break through impasses and begin to do work with depth and truth. For the first time, I find am able to bring my successes in the classroom out into the "real world" of auditions and performance. Ken's insight into the creative process, his patience, and the high standards he sets for both himself and his students make him the best acting coach and teacher in New York."-- Jack Haley (30 ROCK, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, LAW & ORDER: SVU, GREAT HOPE SPRINGS, PIONEER ONE)"Ken is a fantastic coach. His one-on-one sessions give you the tools to do your best in every audition. He doesn't stop until you are prepared!"-- Vanessa Quijas (THE SOPRANOS, LAW & ORDER: SVU)"Ken is a tremendously compassionate teacher who knows just what to say at just the right time to get the best out of everyone. A physical, vocal, and mental acrobat of astonishing versatility and intelligence, he has a deep understanding of the actors process. He is one of the best directors I have ever worked with his patience and humor seem inexhaustible! When you call Ken, you know youll get only the best."-- Marcus Weiss (Blue Man Group, ALL MY CHILDREN, Naked Angels Theatre Company)"Ken is the reason I'm a working actor in New York City! His instruction and motivation have landed me jobs time and time again. If you need an acting coach, look no further."-- Monica Knight (SAVING GRACE, WINDCROFT, BIG FISH)"Ken's boundless energy and enthusiasm for his work make him a superior teacher. By showing his students the utmost respect and encouragement, he inspires the best kind of creativity: focused yet free, challenging yet fun. There isn't a better person to take artistic risks with than Ken Schatz."-- Kate Wetherhead (THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Williamstown Theatre Festival)"Working with Ken has reminded me of why I fell in love with acting in the first place! Kens passion and enthusiasm are infectious, and his direction is astute and to the point. He inspires you to give your best performance!"-- Anna Hayman (Clubbed Thumb Theatre Company, The Bat Theatre Company)"Ken is great! Even as he teaches you how to take your physical and vocal instrument seriously, he makes you laugh, and laughter frees up the voice!"-- Amo Gulinello (Cirque du Soleil, De La Guarda, THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION)"Ken has this wonderful enthusiasm for what you, the student, can achieve next! It is hard to find someone as talented and dedicated to the art of acting... on the desert island of acting, I'd take Ken!"-- Rhonda Dodd (Circle in the Square, Hamptons Shakespeare Festival)"Our students' positive reaction to Kens teaching has been overwhelming! He is always a pleasure to work with, consistently displaying a rich talent and wonderful interaction with actors and directors alike. Ken's outstanding work as an artist and teacher, and my experience with him as a professional colleague support my belief that he truly knows quality theatre education, and has a tremendous gift for this work."-- E. Colin OLeary (Executive Director, Circle in the Square Theatre School, Board Member, Commission on Accreditation, National Association of Schools of Theatre)"You made me a singer! I can't thank you enough!"-- Greg Shamie (LAW & ORDER, SIX FEET UNDER, SHAKESPEARE'S R&J)"Ken doesn't stamp his students with his method, he helps them find the approaches that work for them, and his joy at discovery is contagious. A lot of teachers can tell you how to fix a scene. Rare is the teacher that can teach you to tell yourself how to fix a scene. Creativity and inspiration are self-replenishing, and nowhere is this more true than in Ken's classroom. And outside of it. The learning doesn't start and stop with Ken, he just gives it a good head start. His depth of knowledge of acting approaches commands my respect, his speed and precision in absorbing and transmitting the information of useful experience invokes my awe, and his passion and humanity in teaching inspire my loyalty."-- Dan Truman (RESCUE ME, TOM & FRANCIE, CHAPPELLE'S SHOW, NYU Tisch School of the Arts)"This level of excellence and professionalism is incredibly rare! With support and freedom, Ken encourages each actor to fly!"-- Rebekah Jacobs (THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, Theatreworks USA)"Dear Ken, I can honestly say that because of you, I got the part! I am so grateful to you for all that you taught me about the art of auditioning when I took an audition workshop with you last June. As we all know, being a great actress doesnt mean you know how to handle yourself at an audition. Thanks to you, I have learned to handle the audition process with far more self-confidence, grace, and aplomb than ever before. Two weeks ago I went to an audition for a children's play at The Looking Glass Theatre. I was very nervous due to the fact that I havent done many auditions of late, and it is always hard jumping back into the fire. But, thanks to all the tips you gave me in the audition workshop, I was able to overcome my nerves and portray just the image of myself that I wanted to. When things didnt go exactly as planned, I knew just how to handle myself. I felt so much more self-confidence thanks to you, and it showed. Well, I got a callback, and then a second callback. All through this process, I remembered to use all the techniques you had taught me. What can I say it worked! I got the part. Not only did I get the part, I have won back the power that I have always given up during the audition process. Now I am in charge again. And its all thanks to you. I will certainly recommend your workshops and classes to others. You obviously care a great deal about actors, and helping them to be the best that they can be. So many teachers and schools out there focus on typing actors and then teaching them to be that type. You help the actor see what is unique about them. And that, in my humble opinion, is the beginning of the path to success."-- Randi Helly (The Looking Glass Theatre)"Ken, thanks for all your hard work. What would I have done without you? Thank you!"-- B.H. Barry (Director, Tony Award-winning Stage Fight Choreographer , Co-founder, Shakespeare & Company)"Ken is an amazing teacher. He has an uncommon mixture of child-like fearlessness and an expertly precise ability to communicate ways of being. I have never had more fun with a coach. I walked away from his classes with a deeper understanding of the actor's unlimited ability to lend bodies and voices to all kinds of characters."-- Annika Marks (MONA LISA SMILE, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, PERFECT MATCH PRODUCTIONS)"Thank you for your time and expertise with the actors of Merchant! I am extremely grateful and can see and hear the difference you made invaluable!"-- Amy Hughes (Director, MERCHANT OF VENICE at The Limelight)"An awesome experience and a great class. You kicked my ass really hard, but I'd like to thank you for it!"-- Sarah Caliendo (Circle in the Square, Southern CT State University)"How often do you find "genius" or "brilliance" in your life? There have been only a few teachers whose style and light and radiance fed me, changed me, gave me respect for them, and showed me its possible for me to have respect for myself. You are one of those teachers. Thank you for your class and your energy and your willingness to answer every silly little question I had. I'm always learning, but more so now than ever, how to let myself just exist and not allow acting to become therapy -- how to lose control while still knowing safety is first. Thank you so much!"-- Griffin Epstein (NYU Tisch School of the Arts)"Taking your monologue workshop was the best investment of my money all summer long. I learned so much, and found so many different approaches to the way I can work and how to explore my characters. Your physical acting class freed me up from so many of my "old habits." I looked at characters from so many new angles and avenues this summer. I could not have done this without your direction, patience, and guidance. You also inspired me as a teacher. I will go back to Los Angeles with such a new creative approach to teaching. Your demeanor with your students is quite unique, motivating, and influential. Please keep in touch. Ken, youre really wonderful. Thank you, and continue to inspire and nurture the students who cross your path!"-- Rachel Cohen (American Stage Festival, LA Jewish Theatre)"Ken has inspired me from the moment I met him. He has opened my eyes, ears, mind, heart, and soul. He has taught me to be patient with myself, and how to have fun in the midst of fear. In Ken's classes, I have experienced and witnessed people not just having a breakthrough, but also building on it and returning the next class with the knowledge from that experience. His energy is invigorating and infectious. You can't help but be excited about what you are working on. Ken has repaired my wings, shown me why they are special, and prepared me to fly! Ken is a guide. He teaches with silliness and care. He has clear ideas of exactly what he wants to happen, but how that happens depends on the student. He does not preach to his students, but rather inspires self-growth. He is a director of learning, and treats his students with the highest respect."-- Molly Light (GOLEM STORIES, NY International Fringe Festival)"Thank you for your incredible class! You gave us a gift that we will use forever: ourselves."-- Amanda Archilla (Circle in the Square, Irish Repertory of Chicago)
contact

contact ken

info_kenschatz.com 718 . 625 . 8372

KEN SCHATZ

actor training

music

to be released in 2012

A powerful singer and arranger of traditional/roots music - sea songs and chanteys, gospel, blues, ballads, and worksongs - KEN SCHATZ performs regularly at folk music clubs, festivals, and concert venues.Ken's singing credits include concert performances and teaching workshops for Mystic Sea Music Festival, Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance, Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, Washington Folk Festival, Workum Chantey Festival (Netherlands), Scarborough Seafest (UK), Folk Music Society of New York, Folklore Society of Greater Washington, South Street Seaport Museum, San Francisco Maritime Museum, Columbia University, Caffè Lena, Minstrel Coffeehouse, East End Ensemble, Parkside Lounge, Fast Folk Café, various folk clubs in the United Kingdom, and Gorilla Repertory Theater's Talking Jazz. Ken has designed vocal scores for several theater projects, and performed with many world-renowned musicians, including Heather Wood, Tom Paxton and Anne Hills, John Roberts and Tony Barrand, Jeff Warner, Louis Killen, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Chris Barron of The Spin Doctors, Karan Casey and Solas, Gordon Bok, Sandy and Caroline Paton, The Burns Sisters, Jean Ritchie, Elizabeth LaPrelle, Barry FInn, The Barrouallie Whalers, The Buckingham Bar Lining Gang, Martin Carthy, Utah Phillips, and Liam Clancy. Ken is an actor, director, acting teacher and coach, and the host of Exceedingly Good Song Night in New York City.Ken is recording his first solo CD.
No Frame

EXCEEDINGLY GOOD SONG NIGHT

Line Frame AN OPEN SINGING SESSION IN THE FOLK-ROOTS TRADITION HOSTED BY KEN SCHATZEVERY MONTH AT JIMMY'S NO. 43, 43 EAST 7th STREET (AT 2nd AVENUE)Bring your voice, bring instruments, bring friends! Singers and listeners are welcome.If you'd like to lead a song, look for a traditional/folk/roots song or two that somehow fits this month's theme:February 5, 6:30 - 10:30 pm: "The AGONY and The ECSTASY" Harmonies and Songs with Choruses Especially Appreciated!Save these upcoming Song Night dates too! March 4, April 1, 2012To join the Exceedingly Good Song Night Group on Facebook CLICK HERE.

pay

CLASS ONCE A WEEK, MONDAY OR THURSDAY:

$240 per month

$400 for two consecutive months

$520 for three consecutive months

$1000 for any six months, with scheduling flexibility

FLEXIBLE CLASS CARDS:

Any 4 classes for $280

Any 8 classes for $480

PRIVATE COACHING:

$120 for one hour

$240 for two hours

$360 for three hours

$1000 for a card of ten sessions

For your convenience, Ken now offers the option to pay for classes and private coaching with a credit card via PayPal. Please note that a $10 processing fee will be automatically added to your order.Click for detailed information about coaching or classes.If you have a referral discount, click * HERE *

COACHING FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS

& CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE ALUMNI:

$90 for one hour

$180 for two hours

$270 for three hours

$800 for a card of ten sessions

pay discount

* WITH ONE REFERRAL *

CLASS ONCE A WEEK, MONDAY OR THURSDAY:

$180 per month

$340 for two consecutive months

$460 for three consecutive months

$940 for any six months, with sched. flex.

FLEXIBLE CLASS CARDS:

Any 4 classes for $220

Any 8 classes for $420

* WITH TWO REFERRALS *

CLASS ONCE A WEEK, MONDAY OR THURSDAY:

$120 per month

$280 for two consecutive months

$400 for three consecutive months

$880 for any six months, with sched. flex.

FLEXIBLE CLASS CARDS:

Any 4 classes for $160

Any 8 classes for $360