Description
*This class will be held at Side Street Studio Arts, located at 15 Ziegler Court in downtown Elgin, IL*
Level 1: Living Truthfully begins with our exploration of legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner’s definition of acting which states, “Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” By exploring what it means to “live truthfully” through Meisner’s innovative, improvisational repetition exercises you’ll:
Identify the differences between self consciousness and presence
Practice being more responsive, spontaneous, emotionally alive, and grounded in the moment
Understand what it feels like to get out of your head and follow your ‘gut’ impulses
This class is ideal for:
Adults ages 18+ interested in developing their skills in a fun, welcoming environment
Actors who want to develop a reliable, solid technique to act on stage and for the camera
Students who want to study a technique rooted in courage, empathy, and vulnerability
Attendance Policy
In order to get the most out of your work with us, our students should make showing up to every class on time a priority.
We understand that things do come up so if you know you're going to miss a class, please give your instructor as advance notice as possible. This will help them get you caught up and not throw off the rest of the group. Scheduling a make-up class is possible but not guaranteed.
Students enrolled in our Meisner Acting Program can only advance to the next level if they've attended at least 6 of their 8 sessions. If a student misses more than 2 sessions, they will need to retake the level in order to advance in the program.
Cancellation Policy
Student Cancellation
If a student is withdrawing from a workshop more than 7 days prior to the day of the workshop, the tuition will be kept on file for a future class or workshop for a calendar year.
If a student withdraws from a workshop less than 7 days prior to the day of the workshop, the tuition is non-refundable or transferable.
We appreciate you respecting this policy for the best experience for our instructors and students!
Please reach out at 773-217-9565 if you have any questions.
Studio Cancellation
Occasionally we'll have to cancel a workshop due to low enrollment. We're sorry if that happens to you! If we have to cancel a workshop you've signed up for, we will give you at least 48 hours notice and promptly start your refund process.
In the event that class is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control (including but not limited to extreme weather and pandemic related shutdowns), a make-up will be scheduled as soon as it's safe for our students and instructors to be together safely at the studio.
In some cases classes may transfer to an online platform. If a student is unable to attend the rescheduled class due to circumstances beyond our control (including but not limited to extreme weather and pandemic related shutdowns) that student will receive credit on their account for the value of missed classes.
PROMO CODE
Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout to save $30. Code expires May 4 at 11:59PM.
About the Teacher
Nick Cartwright is a filmmaker, actor, and creative powerhouse with a deep passion for storytelling in all its forms. A proud member of the Green Shirt Studios community, Nick brings a collaborative spirit, technical expertise, and a love for the craft to everything he does—on set, on stage, and in the classroom.
Since 2023, Nick has trained in the Meisner Method at Green Shirt Studios and completed the Ensemble Intensive in 2025. He has acted in, written, and directed numerous 10-minute plays as part of the studio’s vibrant festivals, making him a familiar and enthusiastic presence in the Green Shirt creative family.
As a filmmaker, Nick has directed and shot three short films to date, with plans for several more: The Picture in the House (2024), Throwaways (2025), and Spider (2025). He wore nearly every hat imaginable on The Picture in the House, serving as writer, producer, director, cinematographer, production designer, gaffer, editor, colorist, sound designer, and VFX artist. The film was nominated for four awards at the Chicago Film Frenzy and showcases his signature blend of visual boldness and atmospheric storytelling.
Nick has also contributed his talents to a number of other short films in roles ranging from cinematographer to location sound mixer, including Left Brain vs. Right Brain, Meet Your Match, Witnesses, and I’m Your Daughter, Merry Christmas.
In 2024, he co-founded Film in a Bag, an indie production company creating commercials and covering live events for brands across Chicagoland. Whether working solo or with a team, Nick thrives on problem-solving, experimentation, and helping others bring their creative visions to life.
As a teacher, Nick is passionate about nurturing curiosity, encouraging risk-taking, and helping students discover the power of their unique voice. He’s thrilled to be part of the next generation of storytellers at Green Shirt Studios.
Class Details
- Day
- Tuesdays
- Time
- 7:00PM - 9:30PM
- Dates
- June 10, 2025
- June 17, 2025
- June 24, 2025
- July 1, 2025
- July 8, 2025
- July 15, 2025
- July 22, 2025
- July 29, 2025
- Location
- 15 Ziegler Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
- Instructors
- Nick Cartwright
- Class Size
- 14
- Age
- This is an adult acting class ages 18+
- Cost
- $345