Acting 2

What happens when acting meets improv and neither backs down? This class! This class shows you how acting and improv mix to create something fresh and real. You’ll combine the structure of a script with the spontaneity of improv, leaning into ensemble work to create a 20-minute original piece—part scripted, part discovered in the moment. The result: something rehearsed, alive, and just unpredictable enough to keep everyone on their toes. Meets once a week for eight weeks.

Prerequisites: Improv 201 or higher, or Acting 1, or similar training elsewhere. Due to the collaborative nature of this class, attendance at all sessions is essential. Missing classes may result in reduced participation opportunities, ineligibility to appear in the final showcase performance, or dismissal from the course without refund or credit, at the instructor’s discretion.

Adults 18+

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full by the first class. Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: MONDAY 

Dates: Jan 5,12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Make-Up/Practice Day: Mon March 2

ShowCase: Weekend of March 7 -8

Room: TBD

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center 62 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor:

Michael “Dola” Amendola (he/they) is a Philadelphia & NYC-based performer-creator, and educator with a strong interest in the personal, creative and social impact of “play.” He has performed in over 60 productions across the US including 600 shows with the Off-Broadway comedy hit, Drunk Shakespeare, and 100+ performances as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the ASC. He earned his BFA in Acting from Texas State University and is pursuing an MFA in Devised Performance at the Pig Iron School. He has also studied clown extensively with many world-renowned teachers. In addition to teaching at PHIT, Dola has led workshops in devising, clown, improv and character creation for Circadium School for Contemporary Circus, Austin Shakespeare, Cannonball Festival, and the American Shakespeare Center.

What others Say:

"Dola is the best!"

"This was the most beneficial workshop I've been to in years. I was able to reconnect my mind and body to acting. I have immediate lessons to bring back to my students."

"Oh god. Dola is a brilliant firecracker's worth of expression and depth. His style of teaching gives me courage and curiosity and freedom to explore and learn. I loved this class!!!"

"Dola really invited the students to be their best selves, creating an environment of play and discovery. He had excellent notes for the performers, truly insightful. It is evident that his eye is really tuned in to what is being created and is present to what is actually going on."

“Dola is an excellent teacher - the way he commands the room, and how excited he is by it. It’s great to see someone who is so passionate about something and then so good at it!”

Acting 2: Ensemble Creation (Text + Improv)

You won’t just rehearse scenes—you’ll generate and shape material together into a performance piece. In this ensemble-based performance class, you’ll combine a short piece of source text and improvisation to create a unique original piece. You might start from a few lines of dialogue, a prompt, or another simple text source, then use improv to generate fresh material and shape what you discover into a repeatable performance structure—grounded, alive, and specific to your ensemble. This is a collaborative process course: you’ll rehearse, refine, and build toward a final showing.

Prerequisite: Some prior experience recommended (Improv 201+, Acting 1, or equivalent). If you’re newer but have performance experience elsewhere, you’re welcome.

Attendance: Because this is an ensemble creation process, consistent attendance is essential. Students should plan to attend all sessions whenever possible. Missing classes may limit participation in the final showing, and attendance at the final class is required to participate.

Adults 18+

Capacity is limited to 12 students to support ensemble work and individual attention.

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds. No credit for future sessions. No transfers. All courses must be paid in full by the first class.

Please consider your schedule carefully before you register.

Day: SUNDAY

Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Practice / Make-Up Date (Tentative): May 10 Held only if needed as a make-up. If not needed, it may become an optional practice

Graduation Show Date/Time: SPRING PHEST Sat May 16th 7PM

Class Location: TBD

Theater Location: Hamilton Family Arts Center. 62 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

About the Instructor: