Adult Continuing Education Theater Performance Richmond Va

In Person Classes :
Mondays 7:30 pm OR
Tuesdays 7:30 pm
To join a class
for the session beginning the week of Oct. 24th, 2022
email info@hattheatre.org or call 804-343-6364 to check availability.
* we are taking reservations for our waiting list at this time .

Our 6 week classes are $95 for new students, $85 for returning students. Our classes are affordable because we believe high quality and high cost should not be synonymous. We offer high quality classes, while keeping our tuition affordable, so that each person can continue to study, grow and learn.
Process takes time.

In our classes we treat you like the adults you are.
We know you are busy with life, so our classes are fast paced, inclusive week to week,
with a focus on being up and onstage, actively engaged as much as possible.
We do not have textbooks or journals required (though note taking is always encouraged).
We do not run our classes like "school". You have already been through school. What you need is a place to
learn and explore, a place to challenge and question, a place to decompress from the world and create freely.

Adult classes run year-round in manageable 6 week blocks. Classes cover all aspects of performance and work-related skills including scripted scenes (drama & comedy), devised scenes, improv., directing, intensive character work, monologues, audition prep, and more. Classes are suitable for both the novice and the more experienced actor wishing to stretch and maintain their acting muscles, as well as for those looking to increase their confidence levels in presentation and public speaking needs in their jobs.

"Play well, or play badly, but play truly" - Stanislavsky, actor, teacher

An Organic Approach to Acting:

Our students are free to question, explore, take risks, and figure out their own technique. We do not have a demand for purity, which can limit the student to one method of preparation, but instead believe a well rounded base helps each actor figure out the process that helps them to best prepare for each role. As such, our classes use various elements taken from many well known acting techniques including Stanislavsky & Meisner, with additional nods to Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, and Lee Strasberg, with our main focus on an organic approach, which allows for a natural performance. In this way, each student learns about different techniques, then takes from them what works, in order to build their own unique toolbox of which to draw from.
We believe that preparation is completely individual and what works for one person may not work for another, and that what an actor may need to pull from in creating a character may also change from role to role. The point is to come on stage with something going on; with a full inner life. From there, the emotion will change depending on the circumstances of the scene.
Classes pay equal attention to scripted scene work, monologues, audition skills (including cold reads), and improv. Additionally, we heavily use the creation of devised scenes, with organic development of character and dialogue. This affords students the opportunity to keep their hands free of a script. In doing so the scene comes alive in the moment, engaging the actors' minds and bodies fully. In all that we do, the goal is to explore different characters, understand varying means of expression, develop confidence, control, and focus, learn how to interact and move honestly onstage, how to transfer those skills to film, and to have, above all else, fun while doing so. Because if you are not enjoying it, your audience won't either.

T o register for any of our classes, please call (804) 343-6364 or email info@hattheatre.org for availability.

Student Accomplishments

Martin Mooradian: "Diary of Anne Frank" (Jan Dussel), @ Theatre Company at Fort Lee, Unsolved Mysteries (Ahmed), Indie Film "Shrink Wrapped" (Ethan), Haley Auto holiday commercial, Detective John Matthews on Episode 206 of Murder by Numbers, airing on Investigative Discovery (ID Channel), produced by Lusid Media, Knoxville TN., NBC 12 First Alert Weather commercial, AM
Sebastian Mathelier: NBC 12 First Alert Weather commercial, AM
Joe Walsh: Film (The Last Audience), musical (Let it Be), musical (Little Shop of Horrors), Film (The New Norm), Film (Diner 57), Dopesick, mini series, "Swagger"
Guy Ailam: Commercial (CarMax), Film (Ghosted), Apple TV commercial (Phrma), TV Show (Kingstown)
Mary Huhmann: OTARP (Little Women and Herding Cats), "Nevermore, Edgar Allen Poe, The Final Mystery", Chamberlayne Actor's Theatre, The Outsider (HTC).
Ashton Lee: "The New Norm" (film), On the Air Radio Players: "Cue the Strange Sound Effects", "LaRhonda" Wishing Wind Creations and The Lynn Theatre, "Lost Boy found in Whole Foods" (5th Wall Theatre) "Black Bottle Man" Richmond Catholic Theatre (Acts of Faith Festival), "Rustbelt 1984" , a staged reading with 5th Wall Theatre,
Arya Pazhwak: Film (Liquid Assets)
Eric Bailey: commercial (Treasure Hunt) for Groundworks
Nathan Ramos (Assistant Stage Manager, Quill Theatre's "All's Well That Ends Well")
Sophia Arabia: commercial Spang TV, Instagram (Shoe Show/Shoe Department), commercial (Carmax)
Sara Jane Palmer:Barrister Nissan of Norfolk (commercial), Virginia Department of Health (commercial) , Good Lord Bird, Dopesick
Patricia Alli: "Passing Strange" (Firehouse Theatre), "Oedipus, a gospel myth" (Firehouse Theatre), Hillary in "Hillary & Clinton" (HATTheatre), Anne in "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" (HATTheatre) , "Hamlet" (multiple characters) Quill Theatre,, The Nurse in The "Lyons", 5th Wall Theatre, Alma in Henley Street's critically acclaimed "Yellowman", Queen Elinor of Aquitane in Richmond Shakespeare's production of "King John"
Chloe Williams Green: " Wonderful World, Beautiful People", (HATTheatre), , "Hair" (Firehouse Theatre),, "bare: a pop opera" (Richmond Triangle Players), "Breast in Show" a Carol Piersol production, "Company of Angels", Julie Fulcher-Davis production at Richmond Triangle Players, "Mame", Barksdale Theatre (now Virginia Rep), "Why D o Fools Fall in Love", (HATTheatre)
Annie Zannetti: "Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England" (Richmond Triangle Players), "The Gentle Giant" (Whistle Stop Theatre) , "The Fourth Wall" (Firehouse Theatre) , "Design for Living", (Richmond Triangle Players), "The Whale", (HATTheatre) "New Century" (Richmond Triangle Players), Our Town (Whistle Stop Theatre)
Charles Jones: Spang TV Instagram commercial for Shoe Shoe/Shoe Dept.
Pat Bruckart: CSZ Improv Madness, long form improv show with Mandy Butler
Bronwyn Gethins Morgan: NBC 12 First Alert Weather commercial, AM
Donnie Brown : NBC 12 promo trailer showing on movie screens every day all over RVA (summer 2019), "Living Daylights". King Henry V's Army (Gloucester) Quill Theatre, 10th Anniversary Celebration of Dominion Energy Center, Good Lord Bird
Gabriela Cartwright: Various NBC Channel 12 commercial promos
Harrison Phillips: "A Midsummer's Night Dream" JTCC
Ron Skinner: NBC 12 promo trailer showing on movie screens every day all over RVA (summer 2019), "Living Daylights".
Kashif Banks: King Henry V's Army (Exeter) Quill Theatre, 10th Anniversary Celebration of Dominion Energy Center
James Persinger: King Henry V's Army (Quill Theatre) 10th Anniversary Celebration of Dominion Energy Center, NBC 12 promo
Sierra-Marie Holvino: A Goofy Movie, Live! (Coalition Theater)
Tristen Hall: Shadows of History, The American Petroleum Institute Commercial, Good Lord Bird
Camille Mustachio: Shadows of History, NBC commercial for First Alert Weather, Mini Apps
Suzanne Riker: Shadows of History, Walking Dead, Good Lord Bird, Dopesick, "The New Norm" (film), "Swagger"
Christopher Hewat: Shadows of History, Good Lord Bird, Walking Dead
Brittny Davis: Donate Life America Commercial, Anthem Commercial, NBC 12 news commercial. NBC 12 promo trailer showing on movie screens every day all over RVA (summer 2019), "Living Daylights"
Diana D'Amato: NBC 12 news commercial (6 month run), Mini Apps, Accepted into the 7 week intensive program at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NY., Dark Enough to See the Stars (pitch trailer for film by Adam Lapallo)
Kavon Gittens: NBC 12 news commercial, Mini Apps
Patrick Bruckart: Member of Improv teams with CSZ
Susie Fugitt: NBC 12 promo trailer showing on movie screens every day all over RVA (summer 2019), "Living Daylights"
Brendan Riley: VCU Brandcenter Video, NBC promo trailer showing on movie screens every day all over RVA, "Forecast of Fear" winner of best promo Emmy Award for WWBT 12
Tyler Shifflett: Dopesick, JTCC Student Film
Waleed Sami: The Other Guy in "Hillary and Clinton" (HATTheatre)
Orrie Crews: "Oedipus, a gospel myth" (Firehouse Theatre) , "All Wrapped Up" HATTheatre , A multitude of voice-overs, directing and performing & directing with OTARP
Joseph Lewis Nelson: "Oblivion" with TheatreLAB (nominated for Most Promising newcomer by the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle ) "Holiday Mix!", (HATTheatre)
Katey Gulla, Linda Shepard, and Ron Skinner: Appeared in the 2018 VCU student films
Alvino Medina: "Fireflies" Chamberlayne Actor's Theatre, Has worked as a member of ComedySportz, "Squabbles" Henrico Theatre Company
Lindsay Sloan: "Turn" (cable)
Kate McDaniel: Modern Family (guest star), Hot in Cleveland (guest star) , The Office (featured)
Linda Shepard: "Legends & Lies" (cable), VCU Ad Center Film "Starling", Dopesick
Sidney Freeman: " Legends & Lies" (cable)
Ryan Stanley: "Turn" (cable)
Dale Leopold: In addition to live performances, Dale is a nationally recognized voice actor., "Roger B. Heard and the tight 45" (Free Jambalaya/HATTheatre), "Dessa Rose" (Firehouse Theatre) (Carol Piersol), "The War of the Worlds" (Orson Wells) Firehouse Radio Players
Mike Dunn: Former Member of West End Comedy Improv. Troupe, , Shows with Richmond Triangle Players, Chamberlayne Actor's Theatre, Richmond Shakespeare, & several films with the 48 hour film project
Jeannie Philips: "One Act Showcase" HTC
Kyle Rudnick: "All Wrapped Up" (HATTheatre ) , "Onion Snow" (Firehouse Theatre), "Taking Liberty" Live Arts Theatre
Brian Dismore: Former Member of West End Comedy Improv. Troupe, runs his own film company
Stanley Cary: D.C.- Get Lost In It, video for Washington D.C tourism promotion, Many modeling and print ads
Tim Harris: "Mahalia" (Swift Creek Mill Theatre), "Fences" (Sycamore Rouge), "Othello" (title character) Kimball Theatre, Williamsburg
Veronica Parks: Lives and works steadily in video, film, print, trade shows and producing webisodes in Los Angeles
Winstead Barnes: a multitude of independent films
Darnell James: a multitude of independent films, videos, webisodes, commercials and hosting, based in Atlanta Georgia