ABOUT OUR TEACHING

Duel Theatre enriches the lives of children and adults, alike.

The Younger Crowd:

20% of NYC public schools lack a certified teacher in even one of the arts disciplines.

There has been a 68% decrease in arts funding in the NYC public schools.*

Duel theatre strives to create a challenging environment that is fun, safe, and ultimately educational and rewarding. We strive to give students the critical thinking skills they need in order to become active and progressive members of society. It is our responsibility as artists to bring art back into these young peoples lives and teach them to become self-thinking individuals. We accomplish this goal through teaching the skills of acting that include working off the other, developing a strong point of view, and enriching their artistic minds by exploring theme related materials from our shows.

The Older Crowd: 

“It is not important that you play well or ill; it is important that you play truthfully.”

 Duel Theatre believes that the best actor training is not necessarily one acting methodology, but a compilation of tools that the individual actor has decided works best for him/her. Our acting tools are closely related to Practical Aesthetics, developed by David Mamet at the, then, St. Nicholas Theatre in Chicago. Taught to us by our mentor, Jim Wise, who with David Mamet and William H. Macy, taught at St. Nicholas, the approach is rooted in Stanislavski and Meisner.   Simply put, the individual’s sense of truth is the individual’s potential as an actor. We believe a strong action is more effective than a recreated feeling. Our voice and movement tools range from Patsy Rodenburg, Cicely Berry, and Lessac, to mime, mask, yoga, LeCoq, T’ai Chi, and martial arts.

*Center for Arts Education

WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY

“I learned there is always more you can do to get better at this craft...always a new revelation...The whole process is exhilarating!” ~Sam

“I learned to do things I didn't think I could!” -Siobhan

“A great way to build your confidence not just on the stage, but communicating in general!”

-George 

“A fun environment to grow in!” -Lauren