Acting School
To find out about our current programs, use the links to the left for lots of info. To enroll, please call the Box Office, (631) 286-1133. Our new session begins February 2012. Please peruse all ACTING SCHOOL pages of this website for all current information and if you have any questions after that, please write: artsoffice@gatewayplayhouse.com.
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Websters Dictionary Definition. per•form•ing - adj; of, relating to or constituting an art that involves public performance. Our Definition PERFORMING – The creative expression of the mind, soul and heart using one’s own body as a medium. Sharing ideas, feelings and inspiration through the form of amusement to large or small masses of people.
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We have found that the arts provide young people with essential communication and creative tools that last a lifetime. Confident expression, clarity and focus, tolerance, perception, openness, articulation, empathy for others, self motivation and self esteem are just some of the qualities and traits that emerge through dramatic study. Our beginning students gain not only a strong acting foundation, but also learn to trust their creative abilities. Our experienced and/or returning students explore different levels of technique and challenge themselves.
We enroll students from all over Long Island, coming from as far away as Mattituck, Hampton Bays, and Islip and Jamesport. They all have varying interests and levels of training, some with none and some with plenty. Many students have stayed with their training and have landed parts in our summer Children’s Theater and young roles on the Main Stage. Others have had success in commercials, National Tours and Regional productions. Recently, several students have landed jobs in the industry, on network television series, b'way shows, pre-B'way tours, feature films, and soaps.You can find out more about this by checking out the success stories page on this website.
Those who may not be familiar with the reputation of Gateway, or who are new to the area, are curious as to the difference between our programs and the programs at Long Island’s numerous amateur theaters and centers. Gateway is unique because it is a professional theater. The casts of Gateway productions come from Broadway’s talent pool, and many are members of Actors Equity, the union for professional actors. We employ union directors/ choreographers/ musicians and designers for our Main Stage productions.
The theater has been under the same family management for 62 years. This year, Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County will be presenting the productions, the Acting School Division and all events at the Gateway.
The Acting School Division has Robin Joy Allan at its helm. Allan, granddaughter of Gateway's original founder, has a lifetime experience in the entertainment industry, growing up at Gateway and traveling to NYC and LA where she spent many years casting Feature Films and Television Series. PARENTHOOD, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, GHOST, SIDE OUT and LORD OF THE FLIES, are on her extensive casting resume. Also whilst in Los Angeles for six years, she coached and taught many industry children on their way to network tests and callback auditions for major film and television projects. Balthazar Getty, James Badge Dale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Alicia Silverstone, Tobey Maguire, Thora Birch, and many other actors of that generation met and worked with Robin on projects she was casting and most of whom landed the projects (some being their first credit) she was helping them audition for.
Ms. Allan oversees the class programs of the Acting School and spots youngsters with potential to further prepare them for careers in the arts, as well as connecting them to her contacts in casting when they are right for projects. The methods taught in the school prepare students for all areas of the entertainment industry. This is reinforced by an excellent teaching staff, mostly from NYC and working in the industry constantly; including current guest instructor from Manhattan, Jessica Kelly, a feature film and television casting director, who incidentally started her performing arts involvement here, taking classes at Gateway Acting School.
We are not a franchise business, we are here to provide a consistent performing arts program that moves from year to year, set up for those interested in pursuing this art form. The school is designed for consecutive yearly study. As classes may only amount to one or two a week, there needs to be a long time commitment for the best possible progression and advancement, as it is in all of the performing and fine arts. Valuable tools and techniques learned in serious study are absolutely necessary for skilled performances. We do offer showcases and have contacts available for those who are ready for professional auditioning.
We hope you’ll join us for some fun and creative exploration!
