Drama Learning Center

Contact Us!

Getting to Know Our Private Instruction Faculty

by Leave a Comment

We continue our series on our private instruction faculty with our on-screen teaching artist. Students interested in breaking into film and voice-over work should take notice of Mr. Andy Clemence, who has been a union actor on stage and screen for over three decades. Now is a great time to get to know a little more about him, and then book some time in the private studio for this truly unique one-on-one educational experience.

Introducing On-Screen Acting Coach Andy Clemence!

  • Who do you teach in the studio? I teach private acting for film, TV and theatre to mostly kids from ages 10 to 17 as well as adults. This includes: audition technique, scene study, monologue preparation, audition taping, and tips and insights about the acting industry.
  • What do you do outside of the private studio? Outside of teaching, I’ve been a professional union actor for film, TV, theatre, and voice-over in DC, Los Angeles, and New York for over 35 years. I’m also a musician and am writing a musical about an infamous safe-cracker based on an O’Henry short story. I also do training for Federal Law Enforcement officers and I get handcuffed and shot all the time. FUN!!
  • What’s your favorite Broadway show and why? Hands down, my favorite Broadway show is CHESS. Although I should say the original London production of it, because the Broadway version was completely different and closed very quickly. I love it becasue the score has the most amazing symphonic/rock music with lyrics by Tim Rice, who I worked with personally when I directed the “London version” of the show in Virginia.
  • What’s your favorite thing about teaching private voice? Favorite thing about teaching private lessons is that it’s all about that student! They get the whole hour to themselves and don’t have to share the time with anyone else. I love to watch a student go from stagey, artificial performance to an absolutely real and natural one that is true to the actor’s own essence.
  • How long have you been teaching? I’ve been teaching for about 3 years. I also teach classes in “Acting” and “Audition Self-Taping” in DC.

Want to learn more about our Private Instruction Program? All of the information you need can be found here. We hope to see you soon in the studio!

5 Reasons to Send Your Tweens to Camp

by Leave a Comment

Many parents think that Summer Camp is just for younger students, but there are many reasons to continue to keep your Middle School students engaged in activities like camp over the summer. Here are just a few reasons to send your tween to camp!

  1. It Occupies Their Time


    An idle mind can be a problematic thing… especially for a tween. Sending your student to summer camp ensures that there’s a structure to their day filled with engaging activities and a project completed at the end of a session. When you send a child to camp, you don’t have to sit at work wondering what your child is getting into at home.
    Keep your middle schooler’s hands and brains active with Theatre Tech (July 17-21) or Cosplay Creations (July 24-28)

  2. They Can Develop New Interests


    “How will you know you like it until you’ve tried it?” Summer is a great time to try out a new skill or activity in a focused environment without competing with academics and other commitments. If your tween has mentioned wanting to try a new activity but hasn’t had the chance, this is the time to let them see for themselves whether or not it’s something that they want to continue to pursue (without committing to it for the year).
    Our Acting for Film and TV camp sessions (Take 1: July 3-7, Take 2: July 10-14) are a great opportunity for campers to take their acting in a different direction.

  3. It Keeps Their Brains Active


    Camp is a fun and engaging way to avoid the “summer slump” without staying glued to a summer reading list. Keep your tween’s brain from sliding backwards by keeping them in a routine that gets them out of the house daily and learning new things.
    Our Musical Theatre Masterclass (June 26-30) and Back to School Audition Intensive (August 28 – September 1) will keep your tween on their toes while they learn new material throughout the week.

  4. Make New Friends

    We can all benefit from a change of scenery and fresh faces. Tweens benefit from it all the more. Summer camp is a great place for middle and high school students to greet familiar faces and make new friends all the same. Give your tween the chance for a fresh start this summer at camp.
    Our three-week production camp Hairspray, Jr. (July 31 – August 18) is a great place to bond with old friends and make new ones.

  5. Develop Independence and Leadership Skills


    As your student transitions into teenage life, it’s essential to cultivate leadership skills to ensure that they will thrive no matter what comes their way in high school. Camp provides outlets for your students to gain independence as they are held more accountable for tasks throughout the session.
    Want to help your students develop leadership skills? Try Director-in-Training Week (August 28 – September 1).

We just shared a few of the many great reasons to send your tween to camp this summer. Do you have any more to share? Leave them in the comments! If you’re ready to secure your student’s spot in any of our fun and engaging summer camp sessions, head on over to our Summer Camp page for the full schedule and registration information. Any questions? Fill out the form below!

 

Summer Camp Spotlight #5

by Leave a Comment

A lot of people have asked us… what exactly will campers do in Acting for Film and TV this Summer? We’ve got answers for you in this installment of Summer Camp Spotlight.

Acting for Film and TV: Take 1 & Take 2

“Lights, Camera, Action!” Students will learn on camera acting and auditioning skills such as slating, using a reader, movement within the frame, and much more! At week’s end, students will have a filmed monologue (Take 1, July 3-7) or filmed scene (Take 2, July 10-14) from a contemporary film or television show that can be used for their digital demo reel. Each week will conclude with a brief showcase of student work followed by a Q&A with professional Film & TV actor Andy Clemence, who will discuss what it takes to be a successful on-screen actor.

If your student has ever wanted to know the nitty-gritty behind getting into screen acting, these sessions are a MUST for them this Summer. Register for either week individually or both to maximize your skills. Make sure you read to the bottom of this post to learn how to save BIG when you register for both weeks. Here are the details:

  • Dates: July 3-7 (Take 1) & July 10-14 (Take 2)
  • Time: 9 am – 3 pm (extended care available from 7 am to 6 pm for an additional fee)
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Tuition: $280 (Take 1), $350 (Take 2), $530 (Take 1 & Take 2)

Helpful Hint: Use code TVBUNDLE to get $100 OFF when you register for both weeks!

About the Instructor

Andy Clemence has been a professional stage, film, and voice actor for 35 years, appearing in lead roles at The Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, American Century Theatre, and Folger Shakespeare Theatre. He has done voice acting in hundreds of audiobooks for Graphic Audio Productions and performed for 15 years with the political comedy troupe The Capitol Steps, portraying President George W. Bush for 8 years all across the U.S. and Off-Broadway. In Hollywood, Andy starred in a number of films for SyFy-Universal including Black Forest  opposite Ben Cross, Super Cyclone opposite Ming-Na, and Rise of the Zombies opposite LaVar Burton and Danny Trejo. He also appeared as the Secretary of Labor on House of Cards, season 3 opposite Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey.

Mr. Clemence holds a BFA degree in Acting from The Catholic University of America. He is represented by Jordan, Gill, and Dornbaum Talent Agency in NYC, and is a life-long member of the Screen Actor’s Guild and Actor’s Equity Association. Many of the youth and adult actors Andy has coached privately have signed with top agents from New York and LA as a result. He also provides Video Audition taping services, on-camera coaching, audition prep, and career & industry consultations. He keeps private lesson studio hours at Drama Learning Center throughout the year. Learn more about Andy here and here.

Check out Andy’s reel, and then register for Acting for Film and TV: Act 1 and Act 2 TODAY!

Teaching Artist Spotlight: Getting to Know Andy Clemence

by Leave a Comment

Welome back to our weekly feature as we introduce you to our private instruction faculty members! Next on the docket… Mr. Andy Clemence (who teaches on-screen acting, voiceover acting, monologue coaching, and audition prep on Fridays).


At the Hollywood premiere of Andy’s film “Super Cyclone”

Q: Where are you from? How long have you been in the area?
I’m from Annapolis, MD. I’ve lived here for over 15 years. I grew up nearby, although I was born in Rhode Island.

Q: Which areas of study do you teach? How long have you been teaching?
I’m an acting instructor. I teach On-Camera Acting & Auditioning for Film, Television, Voice-over, and Theatre. That includes: audition technique, scene study, monologue preparation, audition taping, and all about the business of acting.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about teaching private lessons?
I love that it’s all about that student! They get the whole hour to themselves and don’t have to share the time with anyone else. Also, I love to watch a student go from a “stagey” artificial performance to an absolutely real and natural one.


Having lunch with Disney composer Richard Sherman (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book) at The Magic Castle in Hollywood

Q: What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you in a private lesson?
I was working with a very young girl (6, I think) who became fascinated with my camera and tripod. She said she wanted to try it. So I did the scene and I let her film it. She was thrilled. That Christmas, she asked for a camera and tripod, and her parents got it for her. (wow!) So who knows, she may become a famous director someday!

Q: What do you do outside of teaching?
I act in film, TV, theatre, and voice-over. I’ve been a professional actor in Los Angeles, New York, and DC for over 35 years. I’m also a musician and writing a musical about an infamous safe-cracker based on an O’Henry short story.

Q: What’s one fun fact that we should know about you?
I do occasional training for Federal Law Enforcement officers, and I get handcuffed and shot at all the time!!

Mr. Andy’s film and television acting lessons are the newest offering in our private lesson studio, and we’re so excited to bring it to our students. He’s also teaching two weeks of summer camp for Middle and High School students where he will cover a lot of what he teaches in private lessons as well. Check out Acting for Film and TV: Take 1 (July 3-7) and Acting for Film and TV: Take 2 (July 10-14) to receive instruction from Andy Clemence in a group setting!


With Ming-Na Wen (who is now starring in “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) in “Super Cyclone”

Give us a call at (410) 849-6335 today to inquire about availability with Andy Clemence for acting for film and television. Interested in private voice or piano lessons? Try one of our other highly-qualified teaching artists availabile for lessons in the private studio from Monday through Saturday!

New Winter Master Class Series

by Leave a Comment

We’re excited to help our students cultivate and hone new performing skills through a couple of Master Class-style workshops for students in grades 6-12 this Winter at DLC!

January 16: On-Screen with Mr. Andy

Camera shy? No problem! Learn techniques for acting for the camera with DLC’s newest teaching artist: Mr. Andy Clemence. 

Mr. Clemence has been a professional stage, film, and voice actor for 35 years, appearing in lead roles at The Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, American Century Theatre, and Folger Shakespeare Theatre. He also performed for 15 years with the political comedy troupe The Capitol Steps, performing all across the U.S and Off-Broadway. In Hollywood, Andy starred in a number of films for Syfy-Universal and has appeared as the Secretary of Labor on House Of Cards. He holds a BFA degree in Acting from The Catholic University of America.

Class Time: 9:30-11:30 am – Limit: 20 students

Tuition: $40

February 21: Broadway Dance with Ms. Sarah

Learn the authentic choreography from Original Broadway productions of some iconic classics.

Ms. Luckadoo is a DC/Baltimore-based actress, dancer, stage combatant, and singer. She is currently an Acting Apprentice with Red Branch Theatre Company and teaching artist with Drama Learning Center. She graduated from Western Carolina University with a BFA in Acting. She enjoys teaching acrobatics and tumbling and was previously an instructor at nationally-ranked studio Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy.

Class Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Limit: 15 students

Tuition: $50

Do you have questions about these upcoming offerings? Fill out the form below and we will get back to you shortly!

What are you interested in?
 

Or if you’re ready to register, head on through our registration portal to secure your spot in one or both of these exciting new workshops for middle and high school students!

Register for Winter Session Today!

VISIT US

Summer Camps
Drama Classes
Day Camps

(410) 849-6335

Upcoming Programs