Welcome Isaac Byrne our Guest Artist in Residency
Full Residency Program
Summer camp for the artist!
Immerse yourself for the entire week at a deep discount!
General community: $510.00* | Enrolled students: $275.00
*Original price $600.00, a 15% discount applied for full participation.
Full Residency is no longer available
Still room in Meisner & Solo Theater
Full Schedule
Isaac Byrne
Isaac has taught acting at the University of the Arts, the New York Film Academy, Texas State University, and the Tony nominated Matthew Corozine Studio in NYC. He studied acting with a variety of wonderful teachers including master acting teacher Fred Kareman, Larry Silverberg, Terry Martin, and Matthew Corozine. His students have gone on to work on Broadway, television, and in award winning films. He spent 13 years in New York City directing in Off Broadway venues including: HERE Arts Center, Joe’s Pub@The Public Theater, DR2, 59E59, and the Cherry Lane Theater. He has been awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Off Broadway Alliance award, 25 NYIT awards, and 11 Planet Connection Awards. NYC. He also performs regularly with the Ad Hoc Economy theatre company in the award winning show Butcher Holler Here We Come. Productions he has directed have toured all over the world including in the UK (London, Edinburgh) Hong Kong, Germany, Estonia, Canada, and Italy.
“Isaac Byrne enters the fire with his students and fights for them. He knows how to push you to be better than you imagined you could be, to perform in a way that opens your soul. He has the kind of insight that comes from a perfect combination of life experience and excellent training that sometimes feels like witchcraft when your heart opens up despite your petty insecurities and daily nonsense. Isaac was the first person to ever tell me I wouldn’t break if I pushed myself, and for the first time I believe it.”
Scene Study for Film and Stage in Three Parts
Wednesday – Friday June 23rd – 25th 6:30 – 10:30 pm (*or when the work is done)
General: $200 | Enrolled: $100 – FULL
“I love working with Isaac. I always feel confident going to Isaac with my materials knowing that my work will be better after our sessions. He is a passionate and gifted director and teacher. I absolutely recommend him to anyone who is looking to further their craft as an actor.”
Intro to Meisner Parts I and II
Part I: Saturday, June 26th 9:00am – 12:00pm | Part II: Sunday, June 27th 9:00am – 12/*12:30pm
General: $150.00 | Enrolled: $75.00 | Participation in both parts is required and included in price.
We are proud to bring to AZ, Isaac Byrne (New York), one of the county’s most sought after and acclaimed coaches in The Meisner Technique here for a two part introductory intensive open to all actors. We were grateful last December when Isaac accepted our invitation, in the worst of the pandemic, to work with our students via Zoom. His current class here at Arizona Actors Academy is a flagship addition to our offerings. How lucky we are to have him in-residence for a week and to be able to offer this two part in-person Intro to Meisner intensive to any who feel bold enough to try it!
“Isaac has the unique quality of being able to guide you to your best performance. I never felt like I had to justify a choice I didn’t understand with Isaac-instead, he helped me understand the characters to the fullest and understood the importance of a journey from beginning to end.”
Solo Theater – The Artist and the Stage Parts I and II
Part I: Sat., June 26th 1:30pm – 5:30pm | Part II: Sun., June 27th 1:30pm – 5:30pm* (*or when the work is done)
General: $200.00 | Enrolled: $100.00 | Participation in both parts is required and included in price.
Whether storytelling, magic, comedy, dance or puppets, the solo theater piece is one of the hardest to develop and most rewarding for performers and audience alike. Isaac has received the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, Off Broadway Alliance award, 25 NYIT awards, and 11 Planet Connection Awards. Highest among these accolades are his work directing eight solo theater productions to wide praise internationally. In this two part intensive, Isaac will remove the mystery surrounding successfully developing your own solo theater piece. He shares his insights for success and how to bring out your greatest work. In Part II, you will begin the process of discovery in the earliest stages of development from writing prompts to performance.
Solo Shows Directed by Isaac
“strikingly beautiful.”
“entertains us with a series of small stage-marvels guided by director Isaac Byrne’s precise aesthetic and abetted by the talents of a fine creative team”
“fascinating and irresistibly intelligent..heartbreaking…
Director Isaac Byrne milks the suspense throughout…full of surprises all the way to the end.”
“The Other Mozart is the most dynamic, theatrical, and moving one woman show I have ever seen. It’s truly wonderful, and I cannot recommend it enough…Under the skilled direction of Isaac Byrne…This show is the height of theatrical achievement, and the fruit of an obviously outstanding collaboration…. you simply must see this production”
“smart, original, refreshing, and maybe even necessary.”
“funny… kinetic showmanship
If you like Laurie Anderson, try St Kilda.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ …creating a chilling atmosphere through light and sound onstage, Christopherson delivers one of the creepiest performances at this years’ Fringe.”
“one of the funniest, spookiest experiences I’ve ever had at the theater. With the timing of a seasoned comedian, Christopherson sparkles as a story-teller, breathing exciting new life into this oldest of art-forms. . . exciting, inventive . . . able to inspire fear, sympathy, laughter, and wonder. She’s a visionary in the theater world and legendary story-teller.”
“a not-so-typical, one-woman performance that completely blew away the audience. . . an amazing sight for the senses. . . enchanting.”
“Isaac cast and directed me in “FRESH KILLS” a new play at 59East 59. Isaac understands the process an actor goes through to plumb a role. He got me there and for his belief in me I am forever grateful.”
The Business
Tuesday June 22nd 6:30pm – 8:30pm
General: $50.00 | Enrolled: Free – FULL
This open seminar will be straightforward with true insight to managing the “business” side of being a professional actor. Isaac works with some of the top talent in Europe, Britain and the U.S. for both stage and screen. He’s anxious to share his insights on the challenges actors must tackle once they make the move to a professional market. You’ll learn the tools you need to navigate the industry. The attitude and discipline you must maintain to be seen as an artist not a commodity. He’ll enlighten you on the confusion around formulas and tricks/tips touted as doctrine by popular coaches in those markets and he’ll speak to what it requires in skill and heart to have a lasting and storied career. No one should miss this.
“In Isaac’s class at MCS, we get to forget about being good, so we can push ourselves beyond our boundaries, knowing that we have the the class, and Isaac, to guide and support us on the way. I learned to dare to go deep into my emotional prep, and to trust my imagination. This has made me very comfortable on set when I have to perform on my highest level, take after take.”