Unstoppable Spirit of Our Ensemble

Unstoppable Spirit of Our Ensemble

by Mario A. Campanaro

On March 13, 2021, our studio made the difficult yet inevitable decision to close our physical theater doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and open our virtual studio theater. But we did not give up—we persevered! #ActorWarriors We did not skip a beat or miss a single week. And though we struggled with the unknown, something incredible happened. As is often the case in an artist’s life, we adjusted, adapted, and made the conscious creative decision to continue our work in this unfamiliar realm of Zoom while upholding our professional standards of truth, authenticity, exploration, sophistication, and artistic integrity. #BirdsOfAFeather

For over a year and a half, our ensemble members across the globe refused to use the uncertainty as a reason to pause their artistry. Instead of waiting for things to "return to normal," our Los Angeles, New York City, and London members chose to #GetUp rather than give up, diving into deeply complex texts that were beautiful, heartbreaking, hilarious, and always demanding. #GladiatorsForTheWork

This unconventional way of working has garnered international attention and respect from actors, industry professionals, and media alike. As we all know, the camera never lies. Whether in close-ups or self-tapes, it demands the utmost truth and authenticity, challenging actors to go deeper and fully embody the life of the text through their singular instruments.

To further enrich our work, we introduced the use of green screens for scene work, allowing actors to explore and endow their environments in new and exciting ways—an essential skill in today’s digital and CGI-driven industry.

What could have been a bleak and discouraging time instead became one of the most fulfilling, expansive, and transformational journeys. #GetPaidInGrowth Our long-term ensemble members have grown closer than ever, while new members—drawn by the same burning passion for the craft—have joined our #ActorTribe. We are profoundly moved and proud of what our ensemble has achieved during this moment in history. They continue to #MoveMountains.

Our London and New York City ensembles will remain on our online platform until it is safe to return to physical theater spaces, and we are diligently preparing for a seamless transition when that time comes. Auditions for prospective London and New York City ensemble members, as well as waitlist spots, will be held via Zoom from July 6–14, 2021, for our August 2021 ensembles and beyond.

In thrilling news, starting August 5, 2021, our Los Angeles classes will return to their home at The Shepard Theatre at The Complex Hollywood, with auditions for new members and waitlist spots also taking place July 6–14 via Zoom.

Finally, we are beyond excited to announce that we are in pre-production for MC² Actors Studio’s first-ever repertory production, The Skelton Scenes. Stay tuned for audition details in the near future.

We wish you all the very best and look forward to working with you soon. Until then, stay safe and keep taking the steps to make your dreams a reality.

Copyright © 2021 Mario A. Campanaro, All rights reserved.