Leavengood Acting Workshop: The Meisner Technique

Instructor: Bill Leavengood

Four 2-hour classes 

Saturdays, 11:00AM-1:00PM

Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5 and 12, 2026

Cost: $200

I have been teaching the Meisner Technique for over 25 years with amazing results.  

The Meisner Technique can connect actors with parts of what is inside them as a person and an artist that they have never accessed. Actors learn to truly listen and react and be “in the moment”. Meisner also helps actors to operate on multiple levels of consciousness and to “live honestly under imagined circumstances.”

 

Meisner Exercises included in the workshop:

The First Thing

Repetition 1

Repetition 2

Repetition 3

Repetition 4

Three Moments

Coming to the Door

Difficult Activity

Difficult Activity with Imagined Circumstances

Difficult Activity with Extreme Imagined Circumstances

 

Accolades from Past Students:

 

"Highly recommend Bill's classes. Learning acting from Bill includes a combination of teaching and experience--you'll be up on your feet in the first class. He's an expert at what he does and conveys his knowledge with clarity and compassion. Terrific for someone just starting out or as a refresher for experienced actors.”— Michael G.

 

——————————————————————

 

"Learning Meisner has been great!  I came in totally blind not having heard nor researched the method prior to booking the class. I can really see how this is going to benefit my performances, but it's also helping me look back at prior work and understanding the why behind some of what worked (and what hasn’t).— Rachael M.

 

This class has been such an unexpected and meaningful experience for me. I’m stepping into a lifelong dream—speaking on stage to thousands about how to follow your Inner Guidance System.

I recently learned that acting classes can help elevate public speaking—and it just clicked. It makes perfect sense. And honestly? Deep down, I’ve always wanted to be an actress.

So here I am—better late than never.

I so appreciated Bill’s help in finding gigs for me, as well as Bill’s expertise in the various acting techniques.  The classes have been very transformative for me and have really propelled my creativity. 

 

Thank you for sharing your passion so boldly. It truly inspires. —Carol H.

———————————————

 

Bill Leavengood’s masterful approach to Meisner successfully balances individualized attention with group and partnered exercises in a way that is not only accessible but meaningful to actors of all levels. Our class had students who had never acted before, professional actors, and actors with multiple performing arts degrees; everyone left Leavengood’s “shotgun Meisner” course having showcased significant growth from start to finish. Whether you’re venturing into new territory or a seasoned actor seeking new tools for the toolbox, everyone can benefit from learning, acting, and doing with Bill Leavengood.— Bailee M.

To enroll or for answers to any questions you may have, please email Bill Leavengood, 21stCenturyPlayhouse@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About your instructor: Bill Leavengood is a nationally-awarded, two-time Eugene O’Neill playwright, alumnus of Circle Repertory and recipient of the 2024 Best of the Bay Playwright from Creative Loafing in Tampa. He is the author of over 50 plays, screenplays and librettos for musicals which have received numerous productions regionally and in New York at Primary Stages and Circle Rep, among others. He has directed over 50 stage productions, both amateur and professional. In his other career, he has taught Theatre and Playwriting at the college, high school and professional level for 30 years.

 

To enroll or for answers to any questions you may have, please email Bill Leavengood, 21stCenturyPlayhouse@gmail.com.